E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Electrical & Audio => Topic started by: chaps70rt on November 06, 2023, 06:05:53 AM

Title: Where is the best place for ground - Dash (-)
Post by: chaps70rt on November 06, 2023, 06:05:53 AM
I have my new M&H harness installed and during the process I swapped out the Ammeter for the Volt Meter.

Took the (-) off the back of the dash housing.    New Volt meter not working.   

I know they suggest going back to the battery, but there must be a connection at the back of the dash for (-) in the harness or can I simply
take a wire and spade connection to the firewall?    Or, is there a better way??
Title: Re: Where is the best place for ground - Dash (-)
Post by: Katfish on November 06, 2023, 06:53:31 AM
I put together terminal with several leads, bolt to dash frame and tie everything into it.

(https://i.postimg.cc/8sWM33cK/9a07b7cc-c4df-4072-a03e-150a7300565a-zpscbe66609.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8sWM33cK)

(https://i.postimg.cc/T2HjpgDw/null-zpsf33551e6.png) (https://postimg.cc/bdkS5GLc)


Title: Re: Where is the best place for ground - Dash (-)
Post by: chaps70rt on November 06, 2023, 06:57:48 AM
Okay .... that makes sense.  The negative post of the battery goes to block and body.    Therefore the  dash frame has to be grounded.

I was hoping that there was a connection in the back of the harness that had a ground?
Title: Re: Where is the best place for ground - Dash (-)
Post by: chargerdon on November 06, 2023, 01:06:04 PM
the dash frame is bolted to the A pillar on both sides which is part of the entire car structure.   Therefore, the dash frame itself IS grounded.   If not none of the gauges would work !!     If your using the dash frame for ground, make sure your wire is on bare frame and not paint !!    To verify this take a multimeter...set it on the ohms setting and one lead to a bare spot on the dash, and the other to the frame of the car...you can even put it on one of the screws on the sill plate of your door, or the door switch nut...   You should see a reading.   
Title: Re: Where is the best place for ground - Dash (-)
Post by: Skdmark on November 06, 2023, 07:16:45 PM
Quote from: chargerdon on November 06, 2023, 01:06:04 PM
the dash frame is bolted to the A pillar on both sides which is part of the entire car structure.   Therefore, the dash frame itself IS grounded.   If not none of the gauges would work !!     If your using the dash frame for ground, make sure your wire is on bare frame and not paint !!    To verify this take a multimeter...set it on the ohms setting and one lead to a bare spot on the dash, and the other to the frame of the car...you can even put it on one of the screws on the sill plate of your door, or the door switch nut...   You should see a reading.

:iagree:
When I swapped my ammeter for voltmeter, I ran a lead wire with a pair of ring terminals from the negative post on the voltmeter to the dashframe near the radio. No issues.
Title: Re: Where is the best place for ground - Dash (-)
Post by: chaps70rt on November 08, 2023, 06:57:25 AM
Thanks ...... I will do the same.
Title: Re: Where is the best place for ground - Dash (-)
Post by: chaps70rt on June 29, 2024, 05:37:06 PM
Problem solved ..... thanks for the ideas guys.   I took a few ground wires off the dash bolt to each area that could use it.   Seems to be working better now.   You can never have enough ground connections for insurance (supplemental ground).
Title: Re: Where is the best place for ground - Dash (-)
Post by: Racer57 on June 29, 2024, 07:40:13 PM
I used one of the bolts that hold the steering column up.