C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Blower motor ground NFG

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 21, 2017 | 05:15 PM
  #1  
MacTrader's Avatar
MacTrader
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
Default Blower motor ground NFG

Hi Guys
Just joined, don't know what took so long.
The blower motor ground on my 73 convertible w/air has gone away.
I have the wiring diagram, but I can't figure out where the ground wire goes once in the harness. It must attach to the frame or electrical block somewhere.
Should I chase this down, or just add an extra ground wire from the blower motor to a good ground?
Thanks in advance
Mac
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2017 | 05:18 PM
  #2  
TimAT's Avatar
TimAT
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Default

Check around the starter area- the (out on a limb here, not 100% sure about 73) C3's used a black wire that came out of the starter harness area for a ground for both the wiper motor and blower motor. It's supposed to be attached to a bell housing bolt
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2017 | 05:22 PM
  #3  
Peterbuilt's Avatar
Peterbuilt
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 1,560
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Default

Hi and welcome.
The original BLACK ground wire for the wiper and fan connects to a bell housing bolt down by the starter.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&p...ZTM0ZDc1MWM5Ng
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2017 | 08:55 AM
  #4  
MacTrader's Avatar
MacTrader
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
Default

Thank You Guys
I really appreciate that info.
The ground is still making contact, but not good contact. Blower fan runs very slow
Will get it up in the air tomorrow and correct this.
Thanks again
Mac
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2017 | 03:00 PM
  #5  
Peterbuilt's Avatar
Peterbuilt
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 1,560
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Default

If you apply 12 volts to the fan input does it go faster?

Tell us about the switch positions and what happens at each selection.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2017 | 04:30 PM
  #6  
MacTrader's Avatar
MacTrader
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
Default

I only have to ground the blower flange ( where the mounting screws are ) to get the blower up to full speed. Otherwise it spins verrry slow.

I disassembled the high speed relay and it is working fine.

Might still have problems with the slower settings, I haven't tried them.

Those blowers aren't that powerful and I run it on " High " almost all the time anyway.

Thanks for your input
Mac
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2017 | 05:42 PM
  #7  
Peterbuilt's Avatar
Peterbuilt
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 1,560
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Default

If you leave the NEW ground wire connected do all the speeds work properly?
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2017 | 06:33 AM
  #8  
mrvette's Avatar
mrvette
Team Owner
Active Streak: 120 Days
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Default

Several things, That black ground wire is frequently attached in error to the Batt terminal on the solenoid.....it does go go ground, and on MY car it goes to the intake manifold, but my car is custom...and I used very heavy wire so no voltage drop, second off is to pull the fan motor, and get a dirt sucker hose into the resulting hole, I cut the fender liner out on my car, so able to put it back again....this allowed access to the motor and also get the hose down into the evaporator coil and suck the damn leaves/dirt out of the housing.....be amazed how much crap is in there....

AND replace the entire fan/squirrel cage with a C4 blower assy, much stronger air flow.....another thing, pull the outside air door, disable the shut/open mechanism, and seal the damn door shut with RTV.....and on the inside, take the door out and toss it, behind the pass side kick panel....block the vacuum control line.....so the system is on permanent recirculate....and no more leaves to contend with.....

and with the C4 blower assy, it will freeze the nutz off king kong.....


Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 23, 2017 | 07:19 AM
  #9  
pigfarmer's Avatar
pigfarmer
Burning Brakes
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 956
Likes: 443
From: Dutchess county New York
Default literally just went through this

Originally Posted by MacTrader
Hi Guys
Just joined, don't know what took so long.
The blower motor ground on my 73 convertible w/air has gone away.
I have the wiring diagram, but I can't figure out where the ground wire goes once in the harness. It must attach to the frame or electrical block somewhere.
Should I chase this down, or just add an extra ground wire from the blower motor to a good ground?
Thanks in advance
Mac
I did an a/c delete and I think the ground wire originally may have been shared with the wiper motor with a goofy little double connector. Failures are almost always at connectors. Mine were mostly melted.

I had to make my own harness wiring for the relay and resistor - the original sections were cooked. I just ran a #12 black wire to the underside of the frame right under where the condenser used to be. There was already a conveniently threaded hole right there with nothing in it. It's out of the way and unnoticeable. Blower fan is fine.
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2017 | 11:34 AM
  #10  
MacTrader's Avatar
MacTrader
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
Default

Originally Posted by Peterbuilt
If you leave the NEW ground wire connected do all the speeds work properly?
Just checked it out and all speeds work properly with a new ground wire
attached to the motor flange.
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2017 | 11:47 AM
  #11  
MacTrader's Avatar
MacTrader
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
Default

Originally Posted by mrvette
Several things, That black ground wire is frequently attached in error to the Batt terminal on the solenoid.....it does go go ground, and on MY car it goes to the intake manifold, but my car is custom...and I used very heavy wire so no voltage drop, second off is to pull the fan motor, and get a dirt sucker hose into the resulting hole, I cut the fender liner out on my car, so able to put it back again....this allowed access to the motor and also get the hose down into the evaporator coil and suck the damn leaves/dirt out of the housing.....be amazed how much crap is in there....

AND replace the entire fan/squirrel cage with a C4 blower assy, much stronger air flow.....another thing, pull the outside air door, disable the shut/open mechanism, and seal the damn door shut with RTV.....and on the inside, take the door out and toss it, behind the pass side kick panel....block the vacuum control line.....so the system is on permanent recirculate....and no more leaves to contend with.....

and with the C4 blower assy, it will freeze the nutz off king kong.....


I haven't been under the car yet to fix that ground wire, prettty sure that will correct the blower function.

My AC is history, the evap is shot. I'm not going to replace it until I have the engine out, and I'm not planning on ever taking it out again.
I did print out your post and will do the C4 assy switch if I ever do the evap replacement
I'm in NY so the top down works for short trips.

Thanks for your input
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2017 | 12:02 PM
  #12  
MacTrader's Avatar
MacTrader
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
Default

Originally Posted by pigfarmer
I did an a/c delete and I think the ground wire originally may have been shared with the wiper motor with a goofy little double connector. Failures are almost always at connectors. Mine were mostly melted.

I had to make my own harness wiring for the relay and resistor - the original sections were cooked. I just ran a #12 black wire to the underside of the frame right under where the condenser used to be. There was already a conveniently threaded hole right there with nothing in it. It's out of the way and unnoticeable. Blower fan is fine.
All of the black wires and connectors seem fine.
My wiring diagram shows several units tied into the same ground in that area.Like the anti-theft hood switch, time delay relay
If I can't locate the problem I'll add a new ground like you did.

Thanks
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2017 | 04:32 PM
  #13  
MacTrader's Avatar
MacTrader
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
Default

PROBLEM SOLVED
The black ground wire that exited the starter harness did attach to a bolt in the bell housing. The loom that holds the starter wires also attaches there.
The bolt wasn't tight and the ground wire made poor contact. So simple a fix, but I wouldn't have know where to look without the help of you people here.
THANK YOU
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Blower motor ground NFG





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:04 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE