Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

For literally no reason I decided to note down what I know about the wiring harnesses for the V8's. If you spot any errors with this analysis, just comment.

From time to time someone has a question of whether a harness from some parts car rotting away somewhere could be swapped into their car without much issue. Generally the answer is yes, preferably if you can find the same number of doors and match whether it's off a Clipper or Senior, you will generally be only a couple new wires away from a working harness.

(Note: on all diagrams, trunk compartment light 416392 has a connector, not shown. FYI, the light was an option on 5540.)

Front Harnesses
55th:
472234 5540
(The simplest 1955 harness.)

472235 5540 ULTRAMATIC
Compared to 472234:
- Adds a break in 19A-BR to support the Neutral-Reverse switch 439859. (Note: wiring for reverse lights is not included in this harness, it is parts 439123 and 472149.) (1) (2) (5)

472044 5540-60 USE WITH TORSION LEVEL SUSPENSION
Compared to 472234:
- Adds wires 64A and 64B for the suspension shut-off switch 416322 and 3-wire brake light switch 439841. (1)
- Adds reverse light wiring 33 and 33A since Clipper Convenience Package was standard on 5560. (Note: even though the windshield washer was also standard, it is not included in this harness; it is group 31.4092. See "Misc. Harnesses" below.) (3) (5)

472045 5540-60 ULTRAMATIC, USE WITH TORSIONLEVEL SUSPENSION
Compared to 472044:
- Adds a break in 19A-BR to support the Neutral-Reverse switch 439859. (Note: Manual transmission uses switch 439906.) (1) (5)

472039 5580
Compared to 472045:
- Wired for ammeter instead of generator light. (1)

56th:
6480520 5640-(BODY-5622) USED WITH MANUAL SHIFT TRANS WITH CONVENTIONAL SPRINGS
Compared to 472234:
- The pink 13 wire is routed differently.
- The instrument panel turn signals use detachable wiring harnesses 6484570.

6480527 5640-(BODY-5622) NOT USED MANUAL SHIFT OR PUSH BUTTON TRANSMISSION. USED WITH CONVENTIONAL SPRINGS
Compared to 6480520:
- Adds a break in 19A-BR to support the Neutral-Reverse switch 439859. (Note: wiring for reverse lights is standard for all 1956.) (1) (5)

6480578 5640-(BODY-5622) USED WITH PUSH BUTTON TRANSMISSION WITH CONVENTIONAL SPRINGS
Compared to 6480527:
- Adds support for "BRAKE" indicator 6480743. (5)

6480521 5640-60-70
Compared to 6480520:
- Adds wires 64A and 64B for the suspension shut-off switch 416322 and 3-wire brake light switch 439841.

6480329 5640-60-70 ULTRAMATIC
Compared to 6480521:
- Adds a break in 19A-BR to support the Neutral-Reverse switch 439859. (Note: wiring for reverse lights is now standard.) (1) (5)

6480579 5640-60-70 USE WITH PUSH BUTTON TRANSMISSION
Compared to 6480329:
- Adds support for "BRAKE" indicator 6480743. (5)

6480528 5680-88
Compared to 6480521:
- Wired for ammeter instead of generator light. (Note: ammeter is not wired backwards compared to 1955. Instead, ammeter 4.0603 is different.) (1)

6480577 5680 ULTRAMATIC
Compared to 6480528:
- Adds a break in 19A-BR to support the Neutral-Reverse switch 439859. (1)

6480298 5688 ULTRAMATIC
Compared to 6480577:
- Adds support for "BRAKE" indicator 6480743. (5)

Rear Harnesses
55th:
472159 5540-(BODY-5522)
(The simplest 1956 harness.)

439991 5540-(BODY-5542)
Compared to 472159:
- Adds black wires 56A, 56C for both reading lamp door switches 416264. (1)

472034 5540-(BODY-5547)
Compared to 472159:
- Adds tan wire 56 for dual reading lamps controlled in tandem with front map light. (1)

472040 5560-BODY-5562)
Compared to 439991:
- Adds reverse light wiring 33B, 33C, 33D. (1) (2)

472033 5560-(BODY-5567)
Compared to 472040:
- Adds tan wire 56 for dual reading lamps controlled in tandem with front map light. (1)

472026 5580-(BODY-5582); 5680-(5682)
Compared to 472040:
- Adds light blue wires 57C, 57D, 57E for side courtesy lights. (1)
- Adds black wires 50E, 50F for side running lights. (1)
- Adds red wire 55A for cigar lighter. (1)
- Physical length different to accommodate longer body.

472022 5580-(BODY-5587); 5680-(5687)
Compared to 472026:
- Adds light blue wires 57C, 57D, 57E for side courtesy lights. (1)
- Adds black wires 50E, 50F for side running lights. (1)
- Adds red wires 55F, 55H for dual cigar lighters. (1)

472043 5580-(5588) & 5688-(BODY-5699)
Compared to 472022:
- Adds wires 70A, 71A, 74A, 75A, and their attaching wires, for the top motor and dual rear power antennas. (1)
- Adds black wire 50G for reading light. (1)
- Adds black wire 52 for underseat heater. (Note: this wire is present but not used on 5699.)
- Wires for dual side reading lights deleted. (1)
- Wires for dual cigar lighters deleted. (1)
- Some wires renamed in schematic. (1)

56th:
6480061 5640-(BODY-5622)
Compared to 472159:
- Adds reverse light wiring 33B, 33C, 33D. (1) (2)

6480062 5640-(BODY-5642) & 5660-70-(BODY-5662-72A)
Compared to 6480061:
- Adds black wires 56A, 56C for both reading lamp door switches 416264. (1)

6480063 5640-60-70-(BODY-5647-67-77A)
Compared to 6480062:
- Adds tan wire 56 for dual reading lamps controlled in tandem with front map light. (1)
(Note: this harness differs from 472033 only in that the reverse lights are spliced instead of using a connector. Reference "Reverse Lights" section below.) (1)

6480953 5688-(BODY-5697)
Compared to 472022:
- Adds black wire 52 for underseat heater. (1)

Misc. Body Harnesses
439998: Turn Signal Lever Switch to Front Harness Cable Assembly
416341: Fuel Tank Sender to Rear Harness Wire
474082: Clippers, Instrument Voltage Regulator to Water and Fuel Gauges
474100: Seniors, Instrument Voltage Regulator to Water, Fuel, and Oil Gauges
472010: Horn Relay to Horns
(Note: Use two G432682 clips.)
Coil to Distributor Wire (Low Tension)
- 440152: 1955
- 6489049: 1956
458994: Headlight Socket and Cable
439844: Front Running Light Socket and Cable
6484570: 1956, Turn Signal Instrument Board Indicator Socket and Cable
(Note: This is not separate from the wiring harnesses in 1955.)
472104: Side Running Light Socket and Cable
472103: Side Courtesy Light Socket and Cable
458225 & 458226: License Plate Light Socket and Cable, Left & Right
Rear Cigar Lighter to Body Cable

Factory Option Harnesses (TL, OD, and PB not shown)
Power Seat
- 472114: Power Seat Relay (On Firewall) to Switch Cable
- 472124: 1955 Clipper, Two Way Power Seat, Auto-Lite
- 472175: 1955 Clipper, Two Way, Auto-Lite
- 472132: 1955 Clipper, Four Way, Auto-Lite
- 472173: 1955 Clipper, Four Way, Delco
- 472125: 1955 Senior, Two Way, Auto-Lite
- 472176: 1955 Senior, Two Way, Auto-Lite
- 472119: 1955 Senior, Four Way, Auto-Lite
- 472174: 1955 Senior, Four Way, Delco
- 6480724: 1956 (except Caribbeans), Four Way
- 6489092: 1956 Caribbeans, Four Way
- Starter Solenoid to Power Seat Relay Cable
Power Windows
- 472126: 1955 Sedans, Wiring Harness
- 472129: Hardtops & Convertibles, Wiring Harness
- 6489038: 1956 Sedans, Wiring Harness (Note: Includes Power Locks.)

Accessory Harnesses
Reverse Lights
- 439123 & 472149: 1955, Ignition Switch to Neutral-Reverse Switch to Reverse Lights Cable Assemblies
- 472106: 1955, Reverse Light Bulb Socket and Cable
- 439131: 4-way Female Spade Connector
Power Antenna
- 439678: Front or Rear Fender Power Antenna Fuse to Switch Cable
- 475134: Rear Fender Power Antenna Switch to Motor Cable[/size]
439932: Rear Speaker Switch and Cable Assembly
Windshield Washer
- 469405: Windshield Washer Fuse to Pump Cable
- 448674: Windshield Washer Pump to Switch Cable (Driver Side Washer Mounting)
- 6480949: Windshield Washer Pump to Switch Cable (Passenger Side Washer Mounting)

Sources:
1: Service manual diagram.
2: Image of NOS 472034 (55 Panama Rear Harness) which clearly shows the connector with no pin for Dk. Gn. or Lt. Blue, but includes the additional Tan connector; compare diagram in service manual.
3: BH's 55-56 RPO Codes List.
4: My 400.
5: Parts book.

I wouldn’t use a 70yo harness off any parts car.

The ones on my parts car are actually all fine. It depends on where the car is from. I doubt anything on a desert car would be usable, but in PA the wiring is barely stiffer than new. I was able to complete remove the mouse-chewed harness on my project, fix the relevant areas, and re-install it; works great.

Anything before the plastic era though is almost certainly unusable.

These details are also helpful if making a wiring harness based off of one that is a bit wrong. Tells you what extra wires you need to run, then cut to length.