Wiring Diagram of 56 T-Bird dash lights

[Old Redneck]

The dash lights do not work. I got the turn signals woking.Got Brakes light now. Will need to find a original AM ford radio for the car that works.It has a aftermarket junk radio now.Heater motor doesn't work also.Hornets Nest it looks like.

[51504bat]

IIRC you indicated you plan on driving the bird not just letting it sit in the garage. If that's the case you might want to consider this retro look radio. I'm considering one for my '54 Ranch Wagon It's pricey but from what I understand it is very similar to the original look and it's am/fm and bluetooth. http://www.vintageautoradio.com/inde...mart&Itemid=67 Just a thought. As for a wiring diagram, I got one from these guys to assist in the rewire/conversion to 12 volts for my '54 Ranch Wagon.
https://www.classiccarwiring.com/195...SABEgIP1vD_BwE

[Old Redneck]

I only listen to AM and really don't care much. I just will look for a Original radio. Since Hershey canceled will half to look elsewhere I guess.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by Old Redneck

The dash lights do not work. . . . .

Do they flicker when you rotate the headlight switch knob?
The resistance wire in the dimmer (the round white ceramic piece) for those lights oxidizes and loses it's connection.
Turing the knob back & forth several times usually cleans the contact surface and reminds it to work again.

[Old Redneck]

There a light that works behind the heat control knobs. That all. When I turn the knob that light comes on. That it.No light anywhere else on the dash.

[dmsfrr]

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It's remotely possible they're all burned out but not too likely. According to the wiring diagram they're all on a common circuit powered from the "I" (instrument?) terminal of the headlight switch, the silver colored one in the photo above.
The wire should be Blue w/ a red stripe.
Might just be an unplugged connection??? I haven't looked closely at mine because taking out the whole dash gauge cluster to fix the speedo that reads way too high hasn't risen to the top of the To-Do list yet.

[Old Redneck]

I look up about buying a book on Wiring and Trouble Shooting for 56 Thunderbird. Price 72.53 including shipping. That crazy I am not paying that. There must be a less inspensive way.

[dmsfrr]

You can get a '56 Thunderbird specific 11 x 17 wiring diagram in color for 20-ish bucks at this link (and probably several other places as well)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1956-56-For...MAAOSwgyxWXcek

Or, for free in black and white at this link...
It's actually for a '57 Bird, but the only significant difference is the '57 has a small fuel/temp gauge voltage regulator mounted to the back side of the dash.
http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/t...re5765-195.jpg

If they would show actual images of the wiring instead of just line drawings it might be more helpful.
Speaking of which.... they aren't '56 but I have a (12v converted) '55 and a '57. They're both very similar to a '56 and if I can get my cell phone under the dash and you'd like photos of something specific, I'll attach them to a post/comment.

[51504bat]

Faxon's Auto Literature in Riverside, CA has several listings related to electrical diagrams/manuals. This one for 9 bucks seems to be more in your price range but they have other more complete offerings as well.


http://www.faxonautoliterature.com/1...nt-P12664.aspx

This is a reprint of the wiring diagram printed by Ford Motor Co. for dealer mechanics. You can follow all of the wiring in your vehicle from bumper-to-bumper. It will help you to understand connector configurations, and locate & identify circuits, relays, and grounds. Although the schematic is in black and white, the color of each wire is noted. This wiring diagram is THE SAME AS the one in the shop manual. See my other items for the shop manual. The schematic measures 8.5" x 11" and has 8 pages, and is in brand new condition.

[paul2748]

I strongly recommend the 56 Tbird Electrical Assembly Manual. I have one from Jim Osborn Reproductions which I think is excellent.

[51504bat]

Originally Posted by paul2748

I strongly recommend the 56 Tbird Electrical Assembly Manual. I have one from Jim Osborn Reproductions which I think is excellent.

http://www.faxonautoliterature.com/1...nt-P11157.aspx


$19.00

[Old Redneck]

Thank you all. I ordered one from eBay

[Old Redneck]

I replace 4 bulbs in the dash now all of them work one was not plug in. Well that done thanks. The restate works as it should when I turn it they go dim as they should. The light above the radio will half to wait because I half to take the radio out to fix it. I need to find a original radio. Lots of loose wires on the radio. It a after market with a tape player.Junk

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by Old Redneck

...The light above the radio will half to wait because I half to take the radio out to fix it. ...

The bulb and socket snap into the top rear of the map-light fixture, just like the instrument light sockets, but a little bigger.

[Old Redneck]

I got a dead short in the heater motor? Found fuzes with tin foil wrap around them? Its a wonder the car did not burn up. CLOCK works now. She coming along slow but I will win in the end [with your help]. Dimmer switch needs replace sometimes when you push it all the headlights go out?

[miker98038]

I use the cheap tinfoil, it usually melts before the wire does. If it did work, maybe they just didn't have a fuse handy.

Seriously, look real close at the wiring even under the dash. You're probably aware of how brittle the insulation can get and the problems it can cause. Most mid 50's cars I've rewired were a fire waiting to happen, and not just Fords.

The reproduction Thunderbird harnesses are available from a variety of suppliers, not cheap but all proper stock replacements. If you're going to do several of the individual ones, I'd call around and see if I could get a price break.

[Old Redneck]

I have a dead short at the heater motor. Blew fuze so I pulled the heater to see if it is bad. It good work as it should. Now the heater switch? I will use the test light to serif the wires are on correct.Should only have power on one at a time. Will try to reach above the radio to see if I can pull the Map light to see if burn out. I woke up early 2:30 AM been thinking about problems on the Tee Bird. That nice that I can walk out in the garage anytime. Also no back up lights when in reverse.The gas gauge I still half to fix. This coming Thursday my daughter and her family are coming in or a wedding my grandson is getting hitch. So my work on the cars will stop.

[Old Redneck]

But when I hook it up one side blows the fuze? The one that doesn't works on either side of the switch which tell me the switch is ok. I ordered a new heater motor from Hills.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by Old Redneck

. . . Also no back up lights when in reverse. ...

First thing to check...? The original power source for the backup lights is from the headlight switch. They only get power when the parking or headlights are on.
Ford changed it to the Acc position of the ignition switch in '58 -ish.

[Old Redneck]

My car is automatic now is there a light in the floor shift housing?