Headlight / Wiper switch ground 72 GMC - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chalet2506 · 04-29-2018, 11:25 AM

Relocating the headlight and wiper switch on my truck to a wooden bezel(long story). Question is, do I need to worry about losing ground as the switch housings will not be contacting the sheet metal on the dash any longer.

Lights all have their own grounds, guessing the wiper motor does also. So in my mind I should be ok, just not positive I am right.

Any help appreciated.

**VetteVet** · 04-29-2018, 01:38 PM

Sorry to disappoint you but the wiper speeds are switched by the switch on the grounded side. The positive power comes from the fuse panel and goes directly to the motor. All your lights and instruments will have to be grounded in the cluster as well. The fuel gauge, the temperature gauge, and the instrument lights are normally grounded to the cluster.

The brake warning and the turn indicators are not grounded to the cluster but the high beam light is.

**damnyankee36** · 04-29-2018, 02:53 PM

If you want the headlight switch to operate the dome light then it will need to be grounded too.

chalet2506 · 04-29-2018, 03:12 PM

I've got the gauges and indicator lights grounded to the firewall, so good there. Not disappointed, shouldn't be a big deal to run a ground from these switches while I am putting it together. Would be a big deal if I got it all put together before I added the grounds.

According to the diagram I found on here, the courtesy lights are grounded through the plug - but I am guessing now that plug gets its ground right there at the dash then. Its a Jimmy so no dome or cargo light.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=509049

Thanks for the replies.

**damnyankee36** · 04-29-2018, 03:59 PM

Correct, the male terminal on the switch to the courtesy circuit is through the plug but the switch either needs to be grounded via the dash mount or a separate female ground terminal needs to be connected to the male terminal on the outside of the switch. (The top terminal in the drawing with the ground symbol.) The plug doesn't connect to that terminal.

chalet2506 · 04-29-2018, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damnyankee36

Correct, the male terminal on the switch to the courtesy circuit is through the plug but the switch either needs to be grounded via the dash mount or a separate female ground terminal needs to be connected to the male terminal on the outside of the switch. (The top terminal in the drawing with the ground symbol.) The plug doesn't connect to that terminal.

Makes sense, thanks. The housing on this switch doesn't have a spade there for ground. Will try to find one that does, will make this simpler.

Appreciate the help.

**damnyankee36** · 04-29-2018, 05:50 PM

Maybe you can find room on the housing to install a self-tapping sheet metal screw to attach a ground wire.

04-29-2018, 11:25 AM	#1
chalet2506 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: DFW, Tx Posts: 39	Headlight / Wiper switch ground 72 GMC Relocating the headlight and wiper switch on my truck to a wooden bezel(long story). Question is, do I need to worry about losing ground as the switch housings will not be contacting the sheet metal on the dash any longer. Lights all have their own grounds, guessing the wiper motor does also. So in my mind I should be ok, just not positive I am right. Any help appreciated. __________________ 72 GMC Jimmy

04-29-2018, 01:38 PM	#2
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,705	Re: Headlight / Wiper switch ground 72 GMC Sorry to disappoint you but the wiper speeds are switched by the switch on the grounded side. The positive power comes from the fuse panel and goes directly to the motor. All your lights and instruments will have to be grounded in the cluster as well. The fuel gauge, the temperature gauge, and the instrument lights are normally grounded to the cluster. The brake warning and the turn indicators are not grounded to the cluster but the high beam light is. __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

04-29-2018, 02:53 PM	#3
damnyankee36 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Alamogordo, NM Posts: 679	Re: Headlight / Wiper switch ground 72 GMC If you want the headlight switch to operate the dome light then it will need to be grounded too.

04-29-2018, 03:12 PM	#4
chalet2506 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: DFW, Tx Posts: 39	Re: Headlight / Wiper switch ground 72 GMC I've got the gauges and indicator lights grounded to the firewall, so good there. Not disappointed, shouldn't be a big deal to run a ground from these switches while I am putting it together. Would be a big deal if I got it all put together before I added the grounds. According to the diagram I found on here, the courtesy lights are grounded through the plug - but I am guessing now that plug gets its ground right there at the dash then. Its a Jimmy so no dome or cargo light. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=509049 Thanks for the replies. __________________ 72 GMC Jimmy

04-29-2018, 03:59 PM	#5
damnyankee36 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Alamogordo, NM Posts: 679	Re: Headlight / Wiper switch ground 72 GMC Correct, the male terminal on the switch to the courtesy circuit is through the plug but the switch either needs to be grounded via the dash mount or a separate female ground terminal needs to be connected to the male terminal on the outside of the switch. (The top terminal in the drawing with the ground symbol.) The plug doesn't connect to that terminal.

04-29-2018, 05:50 PM	#7
damnyankee36 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Alamogordo, NM Posts: 679	Re: Headlight / Wiper switch ground 72 GMC Maybe you can find room on the housing to install a self-tapping sheet metal screw to attach a ground wire.



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