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where is the ground located?

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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 06:43 PM
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Default where is the ground located?

ok, ive trouble shot as much as possibly can with the help on several on here and no solution yet. heres the problem. i have no dash, gauge, tail lights or front parking lights. the turn signal indicators work as well the the high beam light. i noticed them out a few weeks ago, they came back on for a few minutes, then out again and have not come back. ive checked fuses and replaced the headlight switch. i was told to check the ground, but i have no idea where it is. can someone give me the location or locations? thanks in advance...don
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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 07:25 PM
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Have you looked below your feet? Sorry, couldn't help myself.


I'd start at the battery and trace the cable, then work your way from there.
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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 07:37 PM
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If nothing else, you may want to consider running additional grounds. You can never be too well grounded, and it may save you lots of headaches, esp with a fiberglass bodied car.
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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 08:32 PM
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The ground for the dash is up under the dash on the drivers side window pillar. The front grounds for the lights are attached to the front of the frame on both sides. The rear grounds are on the rear of the frame on both side. I don't think that you can get to the dash gound without removing the dash.


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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 09:25 PM
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also check the eng ground coming off the right side cylinder head to the firewall.
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Old Nov 26, 2007 | 05:39 AM
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On my '72 the main headlight ground was connected to the radiator cross support, black wire on a loop, on the driver's side up front....I forget if it was high or lo there.....

the body shell/birdcage is connected vial the body mounting bolts, it's NOT in conceiveable the rust maybe not allowing a good ground....so check for any voltage potential between the frame and the body metal....engine is ground to frame via heavy battery cable from pass engine mount to tab up under the mount horn on frame, the negative batt cable is grounded to frame under bat box.....

SOP for me when I got this car was to renew all the grounds, ground all metal down to clean, star washer/bolt securely, then covered it with RTV to stop corrosiion....case closed....

the rear lighting is grounded to the frame on driver's side I forget just where, another black wire....it jumpers from side to side, but could be also connected another ground from the right side.....I forget ....

your dash lighting is black wire connected to the kick panel area of the birdcage....

I have completely rewired my car to MY specs, so things are a bit differant.....no...a LOT differant...
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Old Nov 26, 2007 | 06:41 AM
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replace your main ground from your battery to your frame..... the old ground will be oxidized and bad.......... that will help


b
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Old Nov 26, 2007 | 07:43 AM
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Don I doubt that you have a ground issue at this point.Tailights being in the rear and parking lights being in the front and then dash lights-thats a serious ALL OVER ground issue-You havnt mention other issues that an all over ground issue should effect.
OK-answer some questions for me-do your headlights work?
I'm guessing the answer is yes if thats true then you need to use a test light and test the tailight fuse in the fuse box-I need to know if you have power on both sides of that fuse if you would like this problem solved.
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Old Nov 26, 2007 | 05:20 PM
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DW yes the headlights do work. instead of a light can i just put a volt meter across the fuse?
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Old Nov 26, 2007 | 06:52 PM
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The dash ground should be by the hood release. The Speedo and Tach housings are also grounded.

Last edited by Artsvette73; Nov 26, 2007 at 06:55 PM.
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Old Nov 26, 2007 | 07:00 PM
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Originally Posted by dholifield
DW yes the headlights do work. instead of a light can i just put a volt meter across the fuse?
Not across the fuse-put your black probe to a good ground and use the red probe to touch each side of the fuse.You need 12 volts on each side of the fuse.
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Old Nov 27, 2007 | 08:57 AM
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thanks dw. will check tonight and post my results. again thanks for everyones help on this matter. don
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Old Nov 27, 2007 | 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by dholifield
thanks dw. will check tonight and post my results. again thanks for everyones help on this matter. don
Don I'm not sure if you still have the dash apart.If you find you have 12 volts on both sides of the fuse then you need to go next to the headlight switch and check the 18 orange wire -that is the feed to all the lights in question except the headlights.the headlights are fed by the 12 red at the headlight switch.Let us know what you find.
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Old Nov 27, 2007 | 01:49 PM
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There is also a birdcage to frame ground there by the #1 mount on the drivers side, make sure its good. DW has you on the right track, I would suggest a test light tho. A light has an advantage over a voltmeter sometimes, it provides a Load which will eliminate feedback voltages and help idintify high resistance connections. Just a brake light bulb with a couple wires will do fine.
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Old Nov 27, 2007 | 02:11 PM
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DW., to check the wires on the switch plug i am assuming i need the key turned on, the red lead of the meter in the plug and the black lead to a ground source? don
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Old Nov 27, 2007 | 05:06 PM
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Originally Posted by dholifield
DW., to check the wires on the switch plug i am assuming i need the key turned on, the red lead of the meter in the plug and the black lead to a ground source? don
Don yes ground the black lead and then just touch the red to whatever you want to check for voltage.
To check the orange wire coming from the the tailight fuse that feeds the tailights and gage lights at the headlight switch connector you dont need the key on.But it wont hurt to have it on.
Below is a link to a test light that could make testing a little easier.It doesnt have to be exactly like this one just a standard 12 volt test light will do that lights up when you find 12 volts.When you get to this site you might have to enter your zip code.
http://www.partsamerica.com/productd...egoryCode=3391
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