ground issue - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

matthufham · 06-29-2006, 06:47 PM

my truck is tripping out. all the electronics refuse to work correctly when they functioned fine before the truck left for paint. i think it's a ground problem. some grounds i can name:

battery neg to engine head
pass inner fender to frame
firewall to rear of head on engine
front passenger cab mount on frame to cross sill on cab

i should think there's more than that, so if you guys can name more, thanks

70c10 · 06-29-2006, 07:02 PM

Matt, What exactly is happening?. I had some problems with my passenger side top of core support bolt awhile back.

neonlarry · 06-29-2006, 07:16 PM

Clip a wire from block to frame and see if that helps.

matthufham · 06-29-2006, 08:39 PM

i just added the engine to frame one to see if it would make a difference, but nothing works still. i might have bad wiring but it worked before. i installed a new turn signal switch and it didn't fix the problem.

when i click hazzards the front lights come on but don't flash, no rear lights come on except the left brake light which is on all the time except when the brake pedal switch is activated, then i get no brake lights at all when the brake is applied. the front's don't flash on hazzards but and i tried 2 different working flashers on the fuse panel and traced the wires many times. good fuses and all...

left turn signal works in the front, right turn signal same thing

the dome light is always on even with both doors closed

the wipers didn't want to work until i grounded the switch by putting it in the dash instead of letting it dangle.

the fan worked on all speeds, then high stopped working, and now it goes from just low working to just medium working.

the engine won't crank but that could be another issue. it hasn't ran ever but i know the carb is set up the same as when i took it off the engine i used to have. it used to fire up and immediately die but now it won't even try to fire up.

cdowns · 06-29-2006, 08:49 PM

have you removed the grounds and sandpapered them with 100 grit so you've got good shiney metal to shiney metal contact??

*MisterMan* · 06-29-2006, 08:55 PM

pop the dash bezel, check ur board on the back, ne burns??? everything look good? also, (if you have one) check your voltage regulator and make sure the rubber grommits are keeping it from grouning out. ....

(facing the truck face on) look at the right side (drivers side) under the hood, their should be some wires leading into the fire wall. check em all!.

matthufham · 06-29-2006, 09:16 PM

grounds have been taken to bare metal both on the ring and on the mating surfaces. my instrument cluster is disconnected right now since im adding water volts fuel and oil gauges. i have an internally regulated altenator. i can check everything leading to the firewall connector

**GMCPaul** · 06-30-2006, 05:48 AM

Matt you'll probably fix the taillight problem by installing the bed ground strap on 2nd to rear or rear bed passenger side cross-sill to frame.
Be sure to check bulbs and while your checking bulbs pull them and make sure the painter didn't paint sockets, seen that one done a few times.
Is the wire harness installed correct at fuse block under hood??
GMCPaul

matthufham · 06-30-2006, 12:11 PM

i haven't seen a ground strap on the bed, i knew something wasn't right. i have never removed the firewall connector, and yesterday it appeared to be in good shape.

matthufham · 07-01-2006, 02:22 PM

i got it figured out. i had the stop switch dangling and it needs to be pused in a lil bit for the light to go off. apparently i had a loose connection on the firewall plug for the rear lights. the dark green wire (the right side brakes and turn) wasn't getting any signal. i pushed real hard on the plug and it all worked out. now i need to replace a headlight that just went out, i still got high but no low.

06-29-2006, 06:47 PM	#1
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	ground issue my truck is tripping out. all the electronics refuse to work correctly when they functioned fine before the truck left for paint. i think it's a ground problem. some grounds i can name: battery neg to engine head pass inner fender to frame firewall to rear of head on engine front passenger cab mount on frame to cross sill on cab i should think there's more than that, so if you guys can name more, thanks

06-29-2006, 07:02 PM	#2
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Re: ground issue Matt, What exactly is happening?. I had some problems with my passenger side top of core support bolt awhile back. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

06-29-2006, 07:16 PM	#3
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,746	Re: ground issue Clip a wire from block to frame and see if that helps. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

06-29-2006, 08:39 PM	#4
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: ground issue i just added the engine to frame one to see if it would make a difference, but nothing works still. i might have bad wiring but it worked before. i installed a new turn signal switch and it didn't fix the problem. when i click hazzards the front lights come on but don't flash, no rear lights come on except the left brake light which is on all the time except when the brake pedal switch is activated, then i get no brake lights at all when the brake is applied. the front's don't flash on hazzards but and i tried 2 different working flashers on the fuse panel and traced the wires many times. good fuses and all... left turn signal works in the front, right turn signal same thing the dome light is always on even with both doors closed the wipers didn't want to work until i grounded the switch by putting it in the dash instead of letting it dangle. the fan worked on all speeds, then high stopped working, and now it goes from just low working to just medium working. the engine won't crank but that could be another issue. it hasn't ran ever but i know the carb is set up the same as when i took it off the engine i used to have. it used to fire up and immediately die but now it won't even try to fire up. Last edited by matthufham; 06-29-2006 at 08:41 PM.

06-29-2006, 08:49 PM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: ground issue have you removed the grounds and sandpapered them with 100 grit so you've got good shiney metal to shiney metal contact?? __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

06-29-2006, 08:55 PM	#6
MisterMan Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Visalia, California Posts: 286	Re: ground issue pop the dash bezel, check ur board on the back, ne burns??? everything look good? also, (if you have one) check your voltage regulator and make sure the rubber grommits are keeping it from grouning out. .... (facing the truck face on) look at the right side (drivers side) under the hood, their should be some wires leading into the fire wall. check em all!.

06-29-2006, 09:16 PM	#7
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: ground issue grounds have been taken to bare metal both on the ring and on the mating surfaces. my instrument cluster is disconnected right now since im adding water volts fuel and oil gauges. i have an internally regulated altenator. i can check everything leading to the firewall connector

06-30-2006, 05:48 AM	#8
GMCPaul Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Rockville,In. USA Posts: 3,718	Re: ground issue Matt you'll probably fix the taillight problem by installing the bed ground strap on 2nd to rear or rear bed passenger side cross-sill to frame. Be sure to check bulbs and while your checking bulbs pull them and make sure the painter didn't paint sockets, seen that one done a few times. Is the wire harness installed correct at fuse block under hood?? GMCPaul __________________ Secure Online Catalog for-GMCPauls Truck Parts Email- GMCPAULS@GMAIL.COM Last edited by GMCPaul; 06-30-2006 at 05:52 AM.

06-30-2006, 12:11 PM	#9
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: ground issue i haven't seen a ground strap on the bed, i knew something wasn't right. i have never removed the firewall connector, and yesterday it appeared to be in good shape.

07-01-2006, 02:22 PM	#10
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: ground issue i got it figured out. i had the stop switch dangling and it needs to be pused in a lil bit for the light to go off. apparently i had a loose connection on the firewall plug for the rear lights. the dark green wire (the right side brakes and turn) wasn't getting any signal. i pushed real hard on the plug and it all worked out. now i need to replace a headlight that just went out, i still got high but no low.



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