Ground Question

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cbig1969

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I hope I'm posting this question in the right place, my apologies if this is the wrong forum.

On my 1972 Plymouth 340 Duster the power steering went out on me. I take it to a shop and had the mechanic there fix it. When I got it out it ran good but a few days later when I drove it at night I had no lights on the instrument panel. The radio lit up fine, I had all my exterior lights even the dome light works. Only the instrument panel wasn't working.

So by process of elimination and figuring that my mechanics had left something loose because everything worked prior to them getting their hands on it, I looked around the steering wheel area and discovered one of the bolts underneath that appeared to anchor it had frayed wires coming from it. Assuming what seems obvious is that there is a wire that comes from the instrument and grounds it to that very bolt. My question is which wire is it?

I figure I should fix it myself since it seems like everytime I put this car in the shop I have to take it back 3 more times after that to get something else fixed that wasn't broken before I took it. Powersteering led to a new gas tank that leaked which meant I had to take it back 3 more times and the leak is still not fixed. Keep in mind that when I say new I mean brand new. Did I mention how I all of a sudden needed a NEW radiator when the old one suddenly sprang a leak mere hours after I pulled it out of the shop?

I'll try and take a photo and post it.
 
Have you tried twisting the headlight knob counter clockwise to turn up the dash lights?
 
I had a similar issue on my 74 Dart. Cleaned and re tightened firewall to motor ground( braided wire in engine compartment). Removed the 3 bottom screws for instrument cluster as they provide a grounding surface to metal frame of dash. Cleaned surfaces to ensure a proper ground and re secured with a slightly larger screw to ensure instrument cluster was tight against dash metal framing. My problem happened out of no where. One day it was fine and the next, everything was out. All lights work now after doing that. Good luck.
 
Well, at least you know not to bring it to that shop again or anymore. Always a scumbag out there ruining good named honest mechanics by there actions and greed.

Grab a factory service manual(s) and learn to read schematic's. I'm self taught. Learn a good bit more from my company. Trouble shooting is a learned process. However, with the aid of the layout of the system, chances are you can figure out what the issue is. And of course, yes, we have a good few fellas here willing to help.
 
Because the column mounts to those plastic slider blocks Some do have a ground strap that goes under one of the column stud nuts to a bolt on the dash frame. I don't know if this is related to your problem but if there is evidence you had one I would put one back.
 
i dont think the shop fixing the power steering had anything to do with your dash light not working
 
mguner said:
Because the column mounts to those plastic slider blocks Some do have a ground strap that goes under one of the column stud nuts to a bolt on the dash frame. I don't know if this is related to your problem but if there is evidence you had one I would put one back.
Click to expand...

I agree.

jdsduster said:
i dont think the shop fixing the power steering had anything to do with your dash light not working
Click to expand...

It would if they had to loosen the steering column from the dash and didn't reinstall the ground wire.
 
Do the rear tail lights work also, they are on the same circuit as the dash lights?
 
Yes, the dash cluster needs a ground. In my cars that is via the mounting bolts and there is no ground wire to the steering column mount. It is a simple fix. Take it back to the shop and they can fix their fubar fast, or do it yourself. The later would be easier for me.
 
My '75 has that ground wire on the steering column mounting bolt.
Not sure where it comes from but I can trace it up behind the cluster.
 
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