1986 Square body K10

[James Daniel]

I inherited a 86 square body from my brother. I had a 77 K10 short bed that I put in a 454. I sold it after the kids came along. Now I am trying to restore this 86. But I am having some trouble with rear lights. I think Its a ground problem. Can you guys help me. It has a plug in the back `for the lights . Can anyone explain this plug pins to me and the color code. Thank You guys

 

[Turbo4whl]

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The lights ground to the truck bed. If you think it is a ground issue, the bed may not have a good ground to the frame. (rust) Add a ground from the bed to the frame. Use 10 or 12 gauge wire.

 

[James Daniel]

Do you know where the original ground would be located ? And the the plug coming from the front of the truck do you know the color code for the ground. Thank you so much. When I shut the tail gate the lights blink or go off.

 

[1973c10]

Welcome to the site

 

[Shorty81]

Welcome from the Buckeye State.

 

[Turbo4whl]

Do you know where the original ground would be located ? And the the plug coming from the front of the truck do you know the color code for the ground. Thank you so much. When I shut the tail gate the lights blink or go off.

There is no separate wire for the bed ground. When built the battery heavy lead goes to the engine. Should have a smaller 10 gauge wire from the battery to the front fender. That takes care of the cab through all the sheet metal.

The frame is grounded with another wire from the engine block. This location varies by year. The frame supplies the ground to the bed. With time the frame and bed flex and rust can form. The bed will loose the ground connection to the frame.

Remove a fender bolt from the bed. Sand the rust under the bolt head to clean metal. Use a hole in the frame nearby and sand that area too. Wire end eyelet on each end of a 10 gauge wire. Bolt the wire to the frame and fender with a star washer. A little spray paint to help seal each connection.

GM usually has black wires for ground. Not labeled but visible in the drawing above.

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site.

 

[Camar068]

pull the tail lights and check/clean the grounds first. Thats the least effort bit, after that check the bed ground to battery.

 

[Corvette Ed]

Welcome from East Tennessee.

 

[75gmck25]

My truck has a small ground wire for each taillight, and a larger diameter ground wire (white) that is grounded to the frame up under the rear bumper. All the rear lights wiring is standard GM colors for a trailer connector.
I think the taillight diagram on this page is correct, except that the ground may be either black or white.
https://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/80hlightschematic.html

 

[James Daniel]

Do you know where the original ground would be located ? And the the plug coming from the front of the truck do you know the color code for the ground. Thank you so much. When I shut the tail gate the lights blink or go off.

 

[James Daniel]

Thank you I think You have fixed it. I added a wire from ground to frame.

 

[WFO]

Welcome from the Texas Panhandle.

 

[Atekido]

Welcome from Nebraska!

 

[James Daniel]

Thank you Guys for all the Welcomes. That's nice. I think the truck is fixed . I have been thinking about a 572 big block . What do you guys think ? I'm a chevy nut. Love small blocks but love the sound of a BB. Do you think The drive train will take it.