• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Gounding a switch

mpro69rr

FBBO Gold Member
FBBO Gold Member
Local time
2:08 PM
Joined
Apr 14, 2019
Messages
822
Reaction score
451
Location
Florida
Can Grounding the wiper switch make the voltage regulator go? I mean the switch shouldn't need grounding in the first place but it was shocking me, so I grounded it to the steering column and the next thing you know the voltage regulator goes? The ammeter was pegging all the way to the right, I replaced the voltage regulator and it worked. What's going on?
 
It is likely that this was just coincidental, that these happened around the same time. There is no direct link between the two circuits. Is everything working like it should now?
 
It is likely that this was just coincidental, that these happened around the same time. There is no direct link between the two circuits. Is everything working like it should now?

Yes the ammeter is but I haven't checked the switch yet, I disconnect it and the ground wire for now.
 
It was shocking you? Really? If there's enough current going through the wiper switch for that, something is wrong. Put a DC amp meter in series and read the current flow to ground.
 
It was shocking you? Really? If there's enough current going through the wiper switch for that, something is wrong. Put a DC amp meter in series and read the current flow to ground.

When I grounded the switch the shock went away. It wasn't like a huge shock that knocks you on your butt.
 
Another dumb idea...
The ground wire you added. Looking over the wiring diagrams, it's a little wild, how some circuits tie together. I'm just saying, even with your 'new' harness, something could be wrong. Or, other wires, NOT part of that harness, could have a problem.
The shock you mention, can be a power source wire, that is not grounded. Or, a ground wire that is loose, burned against a hot wire, so on and so on.

Tracing things out, you should be able to find the correct ground, for your wiper system...the entire thing, not only the switch.
 
Do you get shocks when touching anything else? By grounding it, you've likely created a short to ground now on whatever circuit is causing the stray voltage, also not good! As far as the regulator...one shouldn't affect the other; that said there's (usually) no such thing as coincidences! Check the wires relating to the ignition circuits and regulator thoroughly. That and the ammeter reading may be clues to your problem. Good hunting!
 
Do you get shocks when touching anything else? By grounding it, you've likely created a short to ground now on whatever circuit is causing the stray voltage, also not good! As far as the regulator...one shouldn't affect the other; that said there's (usually) no such thing as coincidences! Check the wires relating to the ignition circuits and regulator thoroughly. That and the ammeter reading may be clues to your problem. Good hunting!

I would touch the switch and my elbow touch the shifter by accident and I received the shock, does that tell you anything?
 
If you don't already have one, I'd suggest you get hold of a Factory Service Manual and began to trace out every wire in the circuit. In my '74 FSM it shows the three speed switch is directly grounded (not going through any wires). If yours was not and by adding the ground wire bad things begin to happen then there is a real problem somewhere in the wiper motor/switch/wiring. That park circuit in the motor assembly throws a curve ball into the mix. Could it possibly be defective??
 
If you don't already have one, I'd suggest you get hold of a Factory Service Manual and began to trace out every wire in the circuit. In my '74 FSM it shows the three speed switch is directly grounded (not going through any wires). If yours was not and by adding the ground wire bad things begin to happen then there is a real problem somewhere in the wiper motor/switch/wiring. That park circuit in the motor assembly throws a curve ball into the mix. Could it possibly be defective??

I have a color schematic, I tried to follow everything and it looks OK. Of course I'm no electrical guru. I think I am going to take it somewhere. Thanks.
 
Sounds like a bad body ground. Battery ground to engine, engine ground to firewall. Can't have enough grounds.
 
I would touch the switch and my elbow touch the shifter by accident and I received the shock, does that tell you anything?
Think about that. The entire body/frame/and any other piece of metal bolted to them is...the common ground. (I'm no dang electrical expert either...actually hate the stuff! But, gotta have it.) What that tells you is, most likely, a hot (powered) wire pinched to a grounding surface, and making contact. Or, a hot wire melted against a ground. Either one gives you the same results...direct power through ground...shocking!

Okay, if you want to take it 'somewhere'. But, you'll help yourself, to look too. Might learn at least the basics. It's what I had to do. There was not enough money, to get someone to look at my 50 year old crap!
 
Think about that. The entire body/frame/and any other piece of metal bolted to them is...the common ground. (I'm no dang electrical expert either...actually hate the stuff! But, gotta have it.) What that tells you is, most likely, a hot (powered) wire pinched to a grounding surface, and making contact. Or, a hot wire melted against a ground. Either one gives you the same results...direct power through ground...shocking!

Okay, if you want to take it 'somewhere'. But, you'll help yourself, to look too. Might learn at least the basics. It's what I had to do. There was not enough money, to get someone to look at my 50 year old crap!

Yes, I have to check all that stuff, I'm pretty pissed because its a new harness and I wasn't having ANY problems before! You hit the nail on the head, 50 year old piece of crap!
 
You hit the nail on the head, 50 year old piece of crap!
Lovely piece of crap! Come on, now...just because it ain't a vette!

What is going on, could have easily already been there. Or, putting the harness in, a wire could have been pinched. THAT can happen to anybody.
Is this the same car that had a little smoke, from the dash? If so, find it, you've probably found the problem.

I'd hate for someone to go through, what I did, many years ago. First car, 63 Sport Fury ragtop, that I had for a handful of years. Wanting to be the cool hot-rodder, decided to go with a trunk-mounted battery. Wire this, wire that, good to go.
Then, one day, dang top up, 65 miles an hour on the freeway, left hand lane, cabin filled with acrid white smoke, so thick, I had to get my head out the window to even see. Got the car to the side, jumped out and popped open the hood. Had the pleasure, of watching every wire in the engine compartment burn...just like a fuse.
Lucky it didn't catch on fire. Had to have every wire in the car replaced.
Hot wire to ground.
 
Lovely piece of crap! Come on, now...just because it ain't a vette!

What is going on, could have easily already been there. Or, putting the harness in, a wire could have been pinched. THAT can happen to anybody.
Is this the same car that had a little smoke, from the dash? If so, find it, you've probably found the problem.

I'd hate for someone to go through, what I did, many years ago. First car, 63 Sport Fury ragtop, that I had for a handful of years. Wanting to be the cool hot-rodder, decided to go with a trunk-mounted battery. Wire this, wire that, good to go.
Then, one day, dang top up, 65 miles an hour on the freeway, left hand lane, cabin filled with acrid white smoke, so thick, I had to get my head out the window to even see. Got the car to the side, jumped out and popped open the hood. Had the pleasure, of watching every wire in the engine compartment burn...just like a fuse.
Lucky it didn't catch on fire. Had to have every wire in the car replaced.
Hot wire to ground.

Damn, that sucks! That's what I'm afraid of happening. I know when I put the wiper switch in I scuffed it a little and it burned, so I put black tape around that part. But when the ammeter was pegged I smelled smoke so something else burned, I have to find it. I do love the old piece of crap, it keeps me going that's for sure!
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top