You guys are right, ground problem.


-Gary Burnette-

I'm not a restoration guy, so when I rewire a car I take new grounds everywhere. Terminal strip up under the dash, back to the trunk, into the doors if power windows, etc. I've seen too many cases where accumulated rest, grime oil, etc. interferes with what was originally a good ground path. You start adding modern electronics, it's even worse.

Relays only prevent voltage drop on the power side (if installed correctly), or stop the loss thru an old switch. They don't solve a ground problem in most cases.

The other thing I do on all those bolted ground connections is use Copperkote to prevent corrosion in the future. Kind of overkill, but better than stuck in the rain at night.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

A little background info:

Every year for the last 15 or so, a group of us take the old cars to a nice show about 155 miles away.
This year a fellow showed up with a very nicely restored 56 Crown Victoria. As he was pulling in,
I noticed his headlights were very dim. I asked about it and he didn't know.
The car wasn't restored by him, but all the wiring was replaced.

Now, on my car (also a Crown Vic), I've asked many questions, and of late, had a response
regarding an unused hole in the driver's side head: That it's for a Body to Engine ground wire.
I wonder if there are, or are supposed to be, any other body grounds?
Anyone know anything?
So far, I've got a Battery to Frame ground, a Frame to Engine ground, but only the Body to Engine
at the firewall area.
Just asking all this, as I think this fellow must have had poor grounds or very low output from his
generator. or a poor battery.
Also, I've seen a kit for sale that utilized relays to "fix" this problem.
ANy thoughts?
Jim