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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) CJ-3A wiring (Read 26183 times)
 
minton
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CJ-3A wiring
07/02/12 at 19:19:50
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Hi...this will be my first post to this web site after just being approved to do so.

Recently I purchased a 49 CJ-3A which has been converted to a 12 V system by the previous owner.

The regulator is not being used and their isn't a generator on board.

It does have a firewall mounted resistor/ballast and points and condenser in the distributor housing.

The ignition wiring looks like spagetti and the floor mounted starter switch is not wired in.

Right know the only way to turn it over is to short the + side of starter solenoid and the wire teminal
that goes to the + side of the coil on the starter soemoid.

If you put gas in the carburetor it will run briefly and then die. 

The spark plugs were all fouled and had various gaps so I replaced all of them and gapped them .30.

The starter, coil, starter solenoid are all 12 V.

The points weren't opening until they were gapped at the corner of the lobe which resulted in it running for awhile and then dying.

I have read all the steps to check out the starter, coil, points and condenser, starter solenoid on the CJ-3B
site which is seven (7) printed pages,"Am I Getting Spark".

All this to my question: Starting from the ignition, what wire goes where, to include guage and locations.

Thanks for your help!

dodjh



                                                     
  
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Gunslinger
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Re: CJ-3A wiring
Reply #1 - 07/02/12 at 20:28:10
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dodjh
First off Welcome to the best CJ3A page on the internet, might be the only one but who's counting?  Sounds like you have yourself one of the original Bubba Jeeps. These jeeps while great in number, generally started out life as a humble factory original completely up to specification civilian jeep.  Some time during there existence they were abducted by the notorious Bubba, who then performed all sorts of mysterous experiments on them, changing wiring, body parts, fundamental operational components and of course the color.  I think most of us have rescued a Bubba Jeep in our time.  Some would say that is the only configuration left in the universe, however as we struggle to right this wrong we are gaining ground.  And as FBill will obviously note at some time " we are all a bit full of _ _ _ _!!"

My suggestion is that you get yourself a Willys Maintenance and Repair Manual, I would also suggest that you contact Bob Westerman, he's on this page and buy a copy of his book on the 3A.  These two references will be invaluable as you start the de-bubba process.  You've really got two choices here, remove allof the wiring you see and start over with the diagram in the book as your guide, sounds like you've got some extra componenets hanging around that should have been removed.  The other option and a more attractive one I imagine is to start to chase the wiring for each system and replace/ repair as neccesary, both will get you there eventually.  It also sounds like your not getting gas, thats a whole nother thing to worry about, carb condition, fuel line, tank clean...

Welcome to the club, my jeep is named Triple X, he started like yours and after 3 trys at most everthing we got her in good shape.  Welcome to the team, you'll get great advice here from a great bunch of fellow travellers.
Todd
  
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minton
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Re: CJ-3A wiring
Reply #2 - 07/02/12 at 21:33:26
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Thanks Gunslinger for the reply and welcoming me to the CJ3A web site.  I did a lot of browsing on the topic "CJ3A" before deciding on this site.

I do need a Maintenance and Repair manual for the Willys CJ3A.

I was doing the latter of your two (2) suggestions and found there is no power to the ignition switch.
The wire from the S terminal on the starter solenoid comes through the firewall and connects to a push button start switch and then to the ignition switch.  Decided to join them together, still no juice.

Well I'll get the manuals and go from there.

dodjh
  
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Re: CJ-3A wiring
Reply #3 - 07/02/12 at 22:26:00
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Look for a KILL switch.  It may be a toggle switch that has been put in somewhere under the dash.  I know some people have put one in to stop theft.
  
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minton
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Re: CJ-3A wiring
Reply #4 - 07/02/12 at 22:46:38
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Alright, I check that out.

How can I get in touch with Bob Westerman about his CJ3A book?

Thanks
  
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Re: CJ-3A wiring
Reply #5 - 07/02/12 at 23:06:31
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http://www.cj-3a.com/

This is Bob's page, its the launching site for the forum.  Lots of good stuff on this page as well.
Todd
  
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Re: CJ-3A wiring
Reply #6 - 07/02/12 at 23:12:19
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Thanks Todd.
  
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Re: CJ-3A wiring
Reply #7 - 07/02/12 at 23:55:19
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Welcome!

Actually my web site is http://www.cj3a.info/

This is the link to my book's web page and you can purchase one from the sources at the bottom...
http://www.cj3a.info/book/index.html
  
Bob W
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Re: CJ-3A wiring
Reply #8 - 07/03/12 at 00:00:28
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Gunslinger wrote on 07/02/12 at 23:06:31:
http://www.cj-3a.com/

This is Bob's page, its the launching site for the forum.  Lots of good stuff on this page as well.
Todd



Actually this is OUR PAGE ......and it is gonna be owned by the members soon!  As mentioned above Bob has his own site......http://www.cj3a.info ;

Confusing, isn't it..... Cheesy Wink
  
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Based in central TX and upstate NY.
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Re: CJ-3A wiring
Reply #9 - 07/03/12 at 00:19:20
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Not to take away from Bob's book but I've been referencing this page on the cj2a site.  Your 3a should be pretty close to this:

http://www.cj-2a.com/oldsite/elec/wiring/index.html

If I'm completely off, I'm sure someone will hit me over the head.
  
'53 CJ3a
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Re: CJ-3A wiring
Reply #10 - 07/03/12 at 00:36:13
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Bob:

Thanks for filling in the blanks....I couldn't find anything about your book or how to contact you on the first link.

However, I have visited that link on numerous ocassions in my research for information.

I was just thinking before seeing your post....how hard can it be to wire a 1949 CJ3A...its not the Space shuttle or a 2000 model Dodge Ram Truck!

I need to know (excluding headlights, tailights, dash lights, horn) how the Primary and Secondary wiring is layed/mapped out for a 12 V set up.

On the CJ3B page I found one for a 6 V system with a regulator and generator included.

Todd mentioned we had "Bubba jeeps.": is that good or bad?  Being from the South that can mean somebody/something that's OK and somebody/something that's not OK.

Thanks,
dodjh

.
  
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minton
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Re: CJ-3A wiring
Reply #11 - 07/03/12 at 00:45:22
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NoCoWillys.....Thanks for the link...the information (at first glance) looks like what I have been searching for.
  
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Re: CJ-3A wiring
Reply #12 - 07/03/12 at 01:10:29
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For the ignition system, you need to use your resistor in the wire between the ignition switch and the coil. the other side (usually negative) of the coil goes to the distributor. (you aren't running an electronic ignition, right? they wire slightly differently)....make sure the resistor hasn't broken or burned out.  And don't leave your key on with the jeep not running, as it will heat up and burn out your points and coil. Supp;ly the ignition switch with 12V and it should run....I assume you already have the starter circuit down as you mentioned it was running.

That should get it running.  To get it charging you will need to look up the charging circuit for the alternator or generator you are using.
  
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Re: CJ-3A wiring
Reply #13 - 07/03/12 at 02:10:59
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F Bill....is the resistor your referring to, the ballast mounted on the Firewall?  If it, is I believe it is wired that way now.  Mine has the terminal on the - side of the coil going to the distributor.

On the key,  when I have the key on.... for it to turn over I have to short the S terminal on the starter solenoid to the + post on the battery.

I'm wondering if I even need to turn the key on.  So if you turn the key on to crank it, when it cranks you turn the key right back off?
  
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Re: CJ-3A wiring
Reply #14 - 07/03/12 at 02:24:01
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And don't leave your key on with the jeep not running

Had to re-read it to finally understand about the key.

Thanks
  
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