Reinstalling dashboard and have a wiring question. On the 68 Skylark I’m familiar with t he grounding wire that goes behind the light switch but there a second one I found coming out of the main harness. The wire is the same length & after connecting the first one , I found this one stuffed at the top of the kick panel in the insulation. Are both rings necessary? Headlights/ Taillights work fine but dash lights are very dim . See picture I included any input appreciated
When in doubt, ground it out. (unless it's hot, that only makes it mad) I always make sure I have good ground from battery to block, (and starter to block is clean and bonded at the matting surfaces), a good ground of block to frame, a good ground of frame to the body, and any panels that have electrical to the frame or body, and all systems are well bonded or grounded. Including bumpers. Since the body/frame/panels and accessory housings are the "path" back to the negative post, and any bad ground can result in "ground loops" (where two or more powered components that share a common ground, and one or more have a faulty ground, the power will flow through the other components to get to ground), and cause all sorts of trouble, at best, lighting that acts wonky, and at works, wire fire, and that's no fun. (Aircraft bonding and grounding was a big deal, and fits my OCD very well)
I believe one goes to one of the mounting screws of the wiper switch and there is one that goes to a cluster mounting. At least that is the way it is on a 70.
Thats the ring for the the headlight switch in the picture. Not sure what other ground wire your talking about?
Looks like one ground wire goes all the way to the fire wall but would be very taunt going to the bezel- like a guitar string . The other one that I was using today fits much better , looking in the chassis manual (1968 ) the wiper- washer switches are typical pin connectors. Don’t see how the ring would fit on them . I connected the battery and wipers didn’t work . Calling it a night .
Washer- wipers working ( bonehead mistake ) I’m ready to pull dash out again , switches unplugged light switch hanging down no ground wires attached and connected battery to check it again and dash lights shining brightly . All lights directionals too , working normally . Not sure why but all lights are getting a good ground now . Any guesses as to how
Put switch back in dash , tried both ground rings back to dim . They are not grounding anything . Remembering I had an extra light switch I swapped them out . No luck no change Anything I’m overlooking ??
My recommendation is to wire a temporary very long ground to the negative battery and connect that to your ground lug/wires and go from there.
Follow up on the problem of the very dim dash lights. After checking and double checking all connections and grounds I was stumped , along with a few gear head friends . The problem was figured out by an elderly gentleman who lives up the block who would occasionally walk by and talk about cars- old cars . He had worked I dealerships ( pontiac & Plymouth) for 30yrs and now been retired for close to 30 yrs when he offered to take a look ; I told him what I had checked and he looked over my wiring, cluster @ fuse box . He’s very agile and mentally sharp for someone who will be 83 years young this year. He noticed a small discoloration on the printed circuit by the plug - barely noticeable. He said there’s your problem. The discoloration lined up with pin 5 marked in the manual as for ground ! Said over the years he’s seen that a few times . Explained to me he’d run a jumper wire to the 1/4” screw on the printed circuit nearest the discoloration and sodder it in to the grounding wire with the ring attached to it . PROBLEM SOLVED. There’s no substitute some times for years of experience.
Mine interesting is the dimness / brightness of the cluster lighting is effected greatly by wiggling the headlight switch. Any ideas Rich.
If wiggling the switch effects the brightness make sure the chrome retainer that screws in from the front is snug . I’d be looking to get a new switch . Not much $$ and they do go bad .
