Headlight ground???
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
Headlight ground???
Ok working on my car and noticed this ground wire just off. About 15yrs ago when I got the car out of long term storage a squirrel had chewed through by the fuse block, so the insurance coved a new harness installed at a local good corvette shop. Headlights have always been kinda dim and I never drove it before the harness so it seemed like old car dim lights like on other old cars I've had. I guess they missed one because the connector has no marks like it was ever used.
Can't really see where it's supposed to bolt to or a good spot. Looks like it'll be a pita to get a drill in there and drill the rad support, no good ground source bolts to remove n slap it on. Thinking about just splicing it long to a good spot unless someone knows where it goes.
Drivers side if you can't tell from the pic
edit: car is a 77
Can't really see where it's supposed to bolt to or a good spot. Looks like it'll be a pita to get a drill in there and drill the rad support, no good ground source bolts to remove n slap it on. Thinking about just splicing it long to a good spot unless someone knows where it goes.
Drivers side if you can't tell from the pic
edit: car is a 77
Last edited by BOOT77; Jul 14, 2016 at 05:12 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,197
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi boot,
On my 71 that ground wire is connected to the radiator core support right in that area.
Look for a small hole drilled in the support.
Originally a small hex headed screw with a star type lock washer was used.
Regards,
Alan
On my 71 that ground wire is connected to the radiator core support right in that area.
Look for a small hole drilled in the support.
Originally a small hex headed screw with a star type lock washer was used.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Jul 14, 2016 at 07:04 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
there should be a gnd. wire connected to the Radiator support as shown by Alan,
there should also be another ground connected to the front metal nose support under the headlights,
typically attached to the area of the headlight vacuum relay.
there should also be another ground connected to the front metal nose support under the headlights,
typically attached to the area of the headlight vacuum relay.
Last edited by 69Vett; Jul 14, 2016 at 10:26 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
Thx for the pic! Alan my rad support does have that hole, I didn't see it last night but I'll get a screw/star washer of that type and hook it up.
Last edited by BOOT77; Jul 14, 2016 at 01:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
Ok I just replaced the ground in the door-jam/rocker panel and not only are my dash lights brighter but my headlights got brighter.
So why would that ground effect my lights and not the one right by the lights?
So why would that ground effect my lights and not the one right by the lights?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
there is a small braided gnd, app. under your left foot, under the car.
It is the birdcage ground wire, it is small and clips on, very poor design.
I install a battery size cable and bolt it in to replace this.
yours is either not connected. or rusty bad connection.
It is the birdcage ground wire, it is small and clips on, very poor design.
I install a battery size cable and bolt it in to replace this.
yours is either not connected. or rusty bad connection.
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
without this ground all cabin gnd. are made by whatever mechanical connections,
that might be touching, for instance clutch linkage, or maybe thru aluminum body mounts,
or emergency brake cables, or the seat belt safety strap.
they might conduct enough, or maybe they don't.
that might be touching, for instance clutch linkage, or maybe thru aluminum body mounts,
or emergency brake cables, or the seat belt safety strap.
they might conduct enough, or maybe they don't.
Last edited by 69Vett; Aug 2, 2016 at 12:43 PM.