Brown Ground Wire

jerseydave · 04-21-2007

There is a brown ground wire that is on the back of the instrument panel, on the back side of the cigarette lighter, that is linked to the insrtument panel illumination bulbs. It looks to be 12 or 14 guage and has an eye grommet on the end, the wire is about 6-8 inches long. When I took the panel off a couple of months ago, I thought I took pictures of all the wires I disconnected, cut, etc., but I guess I missed this wire. I see it on the Destec diagram, but can't visualize where it connects. Any help out there on this?

opelgtworld · 04-21-2007

Here you find the wiring diagram for the cigarette lighter (34).

Lindsay · 04-21-2007

If GND wire eye reaches to one of two studs of fuse box mount, I would ground under plastic flange of fuse box. Sort of a pain, as fuse box and nut want to drop until secured. DESTEC diagram routes it to speedometer, but ground connections on speedometer are 1/4" Fastons.

Also make sure GND wire eye at steering column is secured to one of the (4) steering attach bolts.

namba209 · 04-21-2007

If you note on the DESTEC schematic, there is a ground wire that goes from the speedo case to #2 pin on the green connector at the fuse panel. This one wire grounds the entire instrument panel and is connected to chassis ground at the fuse panel attaching stud. I would suggest the PO used the wire you have as an additional ground that maybe attached to a heater duct mounting screw on the firewall. But it won't tie in to the rest of the grounds. I ran an additional ground wire from the speedo case to a new hole I put in the firewall just for that purpose. We all know how a flakey ground can screw up a circuit. I don't think there can be too many grounds, just in case one go south.

baronbors · 04-21-2007

On an Opel- one can never have too many ground wires

rsefczek · 04-21-2007

i seem to remember 3 brown wires in that area from my p.o. the first went to the speedo from the top of the cigar lighter but i don't remember any eyelet. the second was from near the blower switch and also went to the speedo. again, no eyelet. the final one i think was put in by the p.o. and did have an eyelet. it went straight to the firewall and connected to a screw via an eyelet. i believe he used it to ground his radio. a real pita to get out i might add.

bob

PROPEL · 04-22-2007

Is you car a '73? I found a similar eyelet ground on my '73 only.

oldopelguy · 04-22-2007

Originally Posted by baronbors

On an Opel- one can never have too many ground wires

You could always add one of these:

04-21-2007	#1 (permalink)
jerseydave Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 692 Provided Answers: 1	Unanswered: Brown Ground Wire There is a brown ground wire that is on the back of the instrument panel, on the back side of the cigarette lighter, that is linked to the insrtument panel illumination bulbs. It looks to be 12 or 14 guage and has an eye grommet on the end, the wire is about 6-8 inches long. When I took the panel off a couple of months ago, I thought I took pictures of all the wires I disconnected, cut, etc., but I guess I missed this wire. I see it on the Destec diagram, but can't visualize where it connects. Any help out there on this? __________________ Dave 73 Opel GT-work in progress 74 Manta 75 Manta Previous 72 Manta Rallye-owned 1974-1979

04-21-2007	#3 (permalink)
Lindsay Opeler Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 508 Provided Answers: 1	cigarette lighter ground If GND wire eye reaches to one of two studs of fuse box mount, I would ground under plastic flange of fuse box. Sort of a pain, as fuse box and nut want to drop until secured. DESTEC diagram routes it to speedometer, but ground connections on speedometer are 1/4" Fastons. Also make sure GND wire eye at steering column is secured to one of the (4) steering attach bolts.

04-21-2007	#4 (permalink)
namba209 6,000 Post Club Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Imperial Beach, CA South of San Diego Posts: 6,054 Provided Answers: 6	If you note on the DESTEC schematic, there is a ground wire that goes from the speedo case to #2 pin on the green connector at the fuse panel. This one wire grounds the entire instrument panel and is connected to chassis ground at the fuse panel attaching stud. I would suggest the PO used the wire you have as an additional ground that maybe attached to a heater duct mounting screw on the firewall. But it won't tie in to the rest of the grounds. I ran an additional ground wire from the speedo case to a new hole I put in the firewall just for that purpose. We all know how a flakey ground can screw up a circuit. I don't think there can be too many grounds, just in case one go south. __________________ Ron 72 GT 3.4L V-6/T-5/ZF posi - almost done - Just need AC installed. 75 Chevy monza 5.7L/TH350/Auburn 3.08 posi - Next

04-21-2007	#5 (permalink)
baronbors 1000 Post Club Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: League City Texas Posts: 1,117	On an Opel- one can never have too many ground wires __________________ Texas Opel Preservation Society

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04-21-2007	#6 (permalink)
rsefczek Opeler Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: virginia Posts: 154	i seem to remember 3 brown wires in that area from my p.o. the first went to the speedo from the top of the cigar lighter but i don't remember any eyelet. the second was from near the blower switch and also went to the speedo. again, no eyelet. the final one i think was put in by the p.o. and did have an eyelet. it went straight to the firewall and connected to a screw via an eyelet. i believe he used it to ground his radio. a real pita to get out i might add. bob

04-22-2007	#7 (permalink)
PROPEL PrOpeller Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Oceania 1984 Posts: 690 Provided Answers: 1	Is you car a '73? I found a similar eyelet ground on my '73 only.

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