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Those thick brown wires...

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2026 11:13 am
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)?

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2026 12:52 pm
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
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Re: Those thick brown wires...

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2026 1:41 pm
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.

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2026 5:53 pm
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.

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2026 10:09 pm
by Bill_qaz
My alternator wires are more yellowish and go to the old regulator, with two terminals bridged.
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Re: Those thick brown wires...

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2026 10:35 am
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

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2026 10:52 am
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:

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2026 12:04 pm
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:

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2026 12:59 pm
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!...

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2026 1:33 pm
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?

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2026 2:01 pm
by Bill_qaz
Ok is yours a series 3 mine is early series 5
Or maybe mine is wrong :roll:

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2026 2:05 pm
by Keith
Depends which way up you mount the fuse carrier...

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2026 2:10 pm
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

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2026 2:35 pm
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??

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2026 2:45 pm
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.

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2026 2:54 pm
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.

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2026 3:31 pm
by Mr Spigot
Hurrah!! Cable problem solved and I have learned a new multimeter skill.

Re: Those thick brown wires...

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2026 4:06 pm
by Bill_qaz
Well done, and no explosion, just interesting discussions :tu1: