1971 Center Console Ground Wire?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
1971 Center Console Ground Wire?
I am putting my dash / console back in after a complete tear down and dash restoration. The D/S panel is in and lights / blinkers / Bright Light indicator / Headlights / Parking Lights all working properly. Can not start yet so headlights will ahve to wait for testing.
Now I am starting on the gauge panel / shifter console / heater control.
I have just realized that there is no specific ground attachment on the back of the gauge panel like there is on the Tach / Speedo.
The assembly manual and wire diagram show a double black wire in the area of the cig. lighter. There is a blade connector attached to the right side of the heater control assy. Appares that it where it attaches.
My question is.....
How does the center gauge console receive grounding to light up it's grey single wire bulbs?
I don't see where the ground at the lighter would affect the gauges.
The plastic shifter console touches the bottom of the gauge panel , no ground pass thru at that point of contact?
Any way , I hope I never have to do this again. I was quoted 500.00 to 600.00 laboe from a Corvette shop to do this. I see now that that price is not too high.
Thanks
David
Now I am starting on the gauge panel / shifter console / heater control.
I have just realized that there is no specific ground attachment on the back of the gauge panel like there is on the Tach / Speedo.
The assembly manual and wire diagram show a double black wire in the area of the cig. lighter. There is a blade connector attached to the right side of the heater control assy. Appares that it where it attaches.
My question is.....
How does the center gauge console receive grounding to light up it's grey single wire bulbs?
I don't see where the ground at the lighter would affect the gauges.
The plastic shifter console touches the bottom of the gauge panel , no ground pass thru at that point of contact?
Any way , I hope I never have to do this again. I was quoted 500.00 to 600.00 laboe from a Corvette shop to do this. I see now that that price is not too high.
Thanks
David
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
there should be a ground lug on the bottom of the shift plate that will feed the bulb in the a/c control and the cig lighter. i don't remember what wire grounds the center console. i ran extra ground wires from the parking brake bracket, shift plate, center console, and speedo/tach housing to the birdcage metal. also used extra grounds in the horn, headlight, tail light areas. not ncrs, but it works!
jeff
jeff
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
Thanks
Thanks for the help.
It is my openion that the center must receive ground by contact with surronding metal that is grouned.
All I can do is keep going and see what happens
David
It is my openion that the center must receive ground by contact with surronding metal that is grouned.
All I can do is keep going and see what happens
David
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
If you're one of the lucky ones the bezel should be one piece including
the top vents. If not be sure to run a ground from the top to the
the bezel plate as this will ensure a ground to the wipers.
the top vents. If not be sure to run a ground from the top to the
the bezel plate as this will ensure a ground to the wipers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 298
From: Midlothian VA
The gauge cluster gets ground from a couple sources both related to the radio. The radio, which is mounted in the cluster, is grounded to the antenna which is grounded to the frame where the mast is installed. Additionally, the cluster is grounded through the radio body which has a separate ground in the harness.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
Thanks for the info
The gauge cluster gets ground from a couple sources both related to the radio. The radio, which is mounted in the cluster, is grounded to the antenna which is grounded to the frame where the mast is installed. Additionally, the cluster is grounded through the radio body which has a separate ground in the harness.
I have the center gague assy. partially installed. All wires are attached and I pre installed the radio and attached the antenna.
Connected battery and the bulbs lite up..
Even the door ajar that had never worked. I replaced all bulds while at it.
I see excatally what you are saying.
Thanks
David
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
Thanks Peter
I am in Brown Summit just north of Greensboro at Bryan Park.
If you get a chance to go , there is a International new car show at the Greensboro Coliseum late January. I have been invited to display my 1971 LT-1. The show promoter wants 1 of each generation Corvette dispalyed.
In any case thanks for the help.
David
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
The gauge cluster gets ground from a couple sources both related to the radio. The radio, which is mounted in the cluster, is grounded to the antenna which is grounded to the frame where the mast is installed. Additionally, the cluster is grounded through the radio body which has a separate ground in the harness.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 298
From: Midlothian VA
I once thought that too but last I checked that's just a mount point and is not connected/grounded to anything. If you consider that the radio MUST be grounded to work, and if you remove the radio from the cluster AND disconnect it from the mounting bracket it still works (due to its antenna & harness ground), then, the radio chassis serves as a ground to the cluster once it is installed/touches the gauge cluster.
I have no idea how the cluster is grounded on a radio delete car.
There are two bolts at the bottom of the cluster that should be inserted into a support bracket next to the center console. It's possible that the metal support bracket is attached to the metal console assembly and perhaps then the cigarette lighter ground is passed to the gauge cluster in this way.
