Electric problem
 

I have the headlites and tail lites, signals all working. When I turn the headlights on, all the gauges and wiper motor stop working. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks 1982 k20 Chevy truck

Re: Electric problem
 

Light switch might be bad

Re: Electric problem
 

It's a new switch.

Re: Electric problem
 

Ground strap between the engine and the cab missing?

Re: Electric problem
 

Yep, sounds like a faulty/lack of ground issue. Make sure you ground the dash to the body and the body to the engine and frame. I also ground my tail lamps to the body and run a ground wire from that bolt to the frame, using star washers.

Re: Electric problem
 

I have the cab grounded to the engine and the box to the frame,I do not have the cab grounded to the frame, I forgot about that one, do you think that could be my problem. Thanks

Re: Electric problem
 

White elephant can you tell me if the light switch has its own ground wire coming out of the plug, or is it grounded by the large nut that holds it into the dash. I painted the dash and if it is the nut then it mite not be getting a good contact. Thanks

Re: Electric problem
 

The large nut is the switch ground.

You are not getting a good dash ground to the ground buss bar above the e-brake pedal.

Re: Electric problem
 

Battery to engine
Engine to body

Those are the only two I have.

Re: Electric problem
 

Hatzie I have not seen a ground bus bar above the ebrake, I have not reinstalled the ebrake pedal yet. Thanks for the info on the light switch nut.

Re: Electric problem
 

The ground buss bar is actually located on the body directly behind the lower left hand AC vent about a foot inside.

Re: Electric problem
 

Also need battery to frame. This is usually a second smaller wire on the (-) battery cable.

Re: Electric problem
 

As has been said, there should be a bolt right behind the far left A/C vent. You can also drill a small hole anywhere on sheetmetal. Remember--you can never have too many grounds. If you've checked all bulbs, fuses, the easy stuff, and all appears okay, it SHOULD be a grounding issue.

Re: Electric problem
 

You should really have an engine to frame and body to frame as well. Rear tail lamps on '73 and above ground to bolt on bedside, but a ground from bedside to frame is what fixed my problems.

Re: Electric problem
 

I was talking strictly engine bay. Even factory there wasn't a engine to frame ground.