Those thick brown wires...

Discuss Electrical problems here.
Forum rules
By using this site, you agree to our rules. Please see: Terms of Use
Post Reply
User avatar
Mr Spigot
Minor Fan
Posts: 408
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2021 2:44 pm
Location: Eastbourne, Sussex
MMOC Member: Yes

Those thick brown wires...

Post by Mr Spigot »

I am carefully doing my research before replacing my original 1960 wiring loom with the new one, so I know where to put the new wires replacing the old. There are 3 thick brown wires (actually one is thinner) coming out of the loom next to the fuse box, 2 ending in one ring terminal and the 3rd with its own terminal. My existing setup (with alternator conversion) has only 2 wires connected to the starter switch on the bulkhead. Am I correct in thinking that all 3 brown wires are connected to the same terminal on the starter switch as the battery positive feed (negative earth car)?
Attachments
New loom.jpg
New loom.jpg (133.01 KiB) Viewed 74952 times
Existing starter switch.jpg
Existing starter switch.jpg (72.48 KiB) Viewed 74952 times
1960 2 door 'Mostyn' - 1275 Midget engine - WOI 577 - owned since 1990
1952 MM convertible 'Mawdie' - 918 SV engine - MWD 305 - owned since 2023
User avatar
Bill_qaz
Minor Legend
Posts: 2279
Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:31 pm
Location: Oxfordshire
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Post by Bill_qaz »

Mine is 62, two brown to starter switch and one to fuse holder.
Don't know if that helps. Also neg earth +Alternator
20250213_151445.jpg
20250213_151445.jpg (142.02 KiB) Viewed 74908 times
Regards Bill
User avatar
Mr Spigot
Minor Fan
Posts: 408
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2021 2:44 pm
Location: Eastbourne, Sussex
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Post by Mr Spigot »

Thanks. That’s what mine currently has, but I was a bit confused by the single cable having a ring terminal on it. I suppose I need to cut that off and connect it into the fuse holder.
1960 2 door 'Mostyn' - 1275 Midget engine - WOI 577 - owned since 1990
1952 MM convertible 'Mawdie' - 918 SV engine - MWD 305 - owned since 2023
User avatar
StillGotMy1stCar
Minor Addict
Posts: 517
Joined: Wed Jun 07, 2017 11:37 pm
Location: Carmarthenshire
MMOC Member: No

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Post by StillGotMy1stCar »

I think this needs checking before you cut the ring off.
I expect two of the Brown wires go to the alternator to double up the current carrying capacity and one goes to the ignition switch, therefore you were probably correct that all the brown wires with ring terminals fitted go to the Starter switch along with the heavy wire from the battery.

Having said that it is difficult to say by only seeing a little section of the loom.

Regards John

Edit. Thinking about this, one brown wire could go to the alternator, one go to the fuse box and one go to the ignition switch.

Either way don’t cut off the ring terminal.
User avatar
Bill_qaz
Minor Legend
Posts: 2279
Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:31 pm
Location: Oxfordshire
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Post by Bill_qaz »

My alternator wires are more yellowish and go to the old regulator, with two terminals bridged.
20250905_141012.jpg
20250905_141012.jpg (1.92 MiB) Viewed 73862 times
Regards Bill
User avatar
geoberni
Minor Maniac
Posts: 5246
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 11:19 am
Location: North Leicestershire
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Post by geoberni »

Woahhhh There..... Don't cut the Rings off (at least not yet)

Coming to this a little late but...

At first viewing, the OP Photo appears to show the section of loom at the Fuse Box and possibly at the Voltage Regulator.
As indicated by the bunch of White, Green, Brown , Purple and for some strange reason a Pale Blue...
Will the Browns reach the Starter Switch?
It's hard to tell for certain without seeing more of the loom.
What standard of loom was purchased?
Original or Alternator?
If Alternator, is it intended for 'Factor fit' or intended for a conversion?


Where are the other ends of those Brown Wires ?:o
Basil the 1955 series II

Image
User avatar
Bill_qaz
Minor Legend
Posts: 2279
Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:31 pm
Location: Oxfordshire
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Post by Bill_qaz »

geoberni wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 10:35 am Woahhhh There..... Don't cut the Rings off (at least not yet)

Coming to this a little late but...

At first viewing, the OP Photo appears to show the section of loom at the Fuse Box and possibly at the Voltage Regulator.
As indicated by the bunch of White, Green, Brown , Purple and for some strange reason a Pale Blue...
Will the Browns reach the Starter Switch?
It's hard to tell for certain without seeing more of the loom.
What standard of loom was purchased?
Original or Alternator?
If Alternator, is it intended for 'Factor fit' or intended for a conversion?


Where are the other ends of those Brown Wires ?:o
Berni, sounds like an episode of UXB.
"Don't cut the brown wire"
" Don't worry sarge I'm colourblind"

:lol: :wink:
Regards Bill
User avatar
geoberni
Minor Maniac
Posts: 5246
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 11:19 am
Location: North Leicestershire
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Post by geoberni »

Bill_qaz wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 10:52 am
Berni, sounds like an episode of UXB.
"Don't cut the brown wire"
" Don't worry sarge I'm colourblind"

:lol: :wink:
:tu1: :lol:
Basil the 1955 series II

Image
Keith
Minor Fan
Posts: 198
Joined: Wed Jun 12, 2002 1:00 am
Location: South Bedfordshire
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Post by Keith »

Not sure if this helps or confuses things...Image of my 61 van, there is only 1 brown wire coming out of the loom going to the pull starter switch!...
Attachments
20260220_122129.jpg
20260220_122129.jpg (1.21 MiB) Viewed 73482 times
User avatar
Bill_qaz
Minor Legend
Posts: 2279
Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:31 pm
Location: Oxfordshire
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Post by Bill_qaz »

Keith wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 12:59 pm Not sure if this helps or confuses things...Image of my 61 van, there is only 1 brown wire coming out of the loom going to the pull starter switch!...
Why is your brown to fuse on lower right rather than top left as per diagrams and in my picture?
Regards Bill
User avatar
Bill_qaz
Minor Legend
Posts: 2279
Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:31 pm
Location: Oxfordshire
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Post by Bill_qaz »

Ok is yours a series 3 mine is early series 5
Or maybe mine is wrong :roll:
Regards Bill
Keith
Minor Fan
Posts: 198
Joined: Wed Jun 12, 2002 1:00 am
Location: South Bedfordshire
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Post by Keith »

Depends which way up you mount the fuse carrier...
User avatar
Bill_qaz
Minor Legend
Posts: 2279
Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:31 pm
Location: Oxfordshire
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Post by Bill_qaz »

Yes I suppose so as long as wires are correct for permanent and ign controlled, it makes no difference. I was only wondering out of interest, the post below is a 61 and other way up.
Mine was as I bought it :tu1:

https://board.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php ... ch#p715598
Regards Bill
User avatar
Mr Spigot
Minor Fan
Posts: 408
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2021 2:44 pm
Location: Eastbourne, Sussex
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Post by Mr Spigot »

geoberni wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 10:35 am Woahhhh There..... Don't cut the Rings off (at least not yet)

Coming to this a little late but...

At first viewing, the OP Photo appears to show the section of loom at the Fuse Box and possibly at the Voltage Regulator.
As indicated by the bunch of White, Green, Brown , Purple and for some strange reason a Pale Blue...
Will the Browns reach the Starter Switch?
It's hard to tell for certain without seeing more of the loom.
What standard of loom was purchased?
Original or Alternator?
If Alternator, is it intended for 'Factor fit' or intended for a conversion?


Where are the other ends of those Brown Wires ?:o
Sorry if I have caused a lot of confusion! (electrics eh?)
You are correct that the section of new loom is the bit near the fuse box. The 'pale blue' wire is actually grey and is included for a power socket (Autosparks colour choice, not mine).
There is already a set of cables with a connector for the alternator further down the loom, including thick and thinner brown wires. See new photo showing more of the loom.
The replacement loom came from Autosparks for a 1960 saloon with alternator, flashing indicators from existing switch and wiring for Accessory Socket on Dash. The alternator was added by me about 30 years ago and my wiring is shown on the photo of the existing setup.

Am I still correct in thinking the single brown wire should go to the fuse holder??
Attachments
New loom 2.jpg
New loom 2.jpg (138.57 KiB) Viewed 73322 times
1960 2 door 'Mostyn' - 1275 Midget engine - WOI 577 - owned since 1990
1952 MM convertible 'Mawdie' - 918 SV engine - MWD 305 - owned since 2023
User avatar
Mr Spigot
Minor Fan
Posts: 408
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2021 2:44 pm
Location: Eastbourne, Sussex
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Post by Mr Spigot »

Update; Having realised I have a new multimeter to hand (still working out how to use it!), I tested the end of the single brown wire with the ring and it is connected to the one coming out with the others (white, green, purple, grey etc) to the fuse box. So perhaps it should be connected to the starter switch as well?? This would explain the ring terminal in this location.
1960 2 door 'Mostyn' - 1275 Midget engine - WOI 577 - owned since 1990
1952 MM convertible 'Mawdie' - 918 SV engine - MWD 305 - owned since 2023
User avatar
geoberni
Minor Maniac
Posts: 5246
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 11:19 am
Location: North Leicestershire
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Post by geoberni »

Mr Spigot wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 2:45 pm Update; Having realised I have a new multimeter to hand (still working out how to use it!), I tested the end of the single brown wire with the ring and it is connected to the one coming out with the others (white, green, purple, grey etc) to the fuse box. So perhaps it should be connected to the starter switch as well?? This would explain the ring terminal in this location.
'By Jove we've got it'..
Yes, that will be the Permanent Live feed to the fuse with the 3 purple wires :tu1:

And the 2 browns in the other tag, are presumably both together that the Alternator output.
Basil the 1955 series II

Image
User avatar
Mr Spigot
Minor Fan
Posts: 408
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2021 2:44 pm
Location: Eastbourne, Sussex
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Post by Mr Spigot »

Hurrah!! Cable problem solved and I have learned a new multimeter skill.
1960 2 door 'Mostyn' - 1275 Midget engine - WOI 577 - owned since 1990
1952 MM convertible 'Mawdie' - 918 SV engine - MWD 305 - owned since 2023
User avatar
Bill_qaz
Minor Legend
Posts: 2279
Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:31 pm
Location: Oxfordshire
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Post by Bill_qaz »

Well done, and no explosion, just interesting discussions :tu1:
Regards Bill
Post Reply