Electronics 101

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Chris Jackson

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2021
Posts
5
Reaction score
8
Location
Texas
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
Well - I'm no longer scratching my head.
What is the1st thing you check when dealing with vehicle electronics....FUSES
and whats the 2nd?
Go ahead ill wait..........THA FREAKIN GROUND!!!!! So after chasing every possible wire and connection, I wiggle the NEW ground cable only to find i never tightened it up.
And the moral to the story is this - always check your ground.
 

75gmck25

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2016
Posts
2,336
Reaction score
2,328
Location
Northern Virginia
First Name
Bruce
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
K25 Camper Special TH350 NP203
Engine Size
5.7
Totally agree.

I’ll add the suggestion that the first ground to check and tighten is the instrument panel ground. If this ground is disconnected it will cause multiple problems with the instrument panel, which makes it really hard to troubleshoot other problems.

Bruce
 

Corvette Ed

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2020
Posts
3,864
Reaction score
14,666
Location
East Tennessee
First Name
Eli
Truck Year
79
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
250
The ground can cause all kinds of weird electrical problems and it’s easy to overlook when troubleshooting.glad you found it.
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
16,095
Reaction score
25,884
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
Im thinking thats my problem on my s10. Gauge lights are super dim, gas gauge only partially works and the other gauges are wonky.
 

Chris Jackson

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2021
Posts
5
Reaction score
8
Location
Texas
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
Lol a loose ground will make you feel real dumb!
 

Vbb199

B-rate Hillbilly Customs
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Posts
9,198
Reaction score
15,642
Location
Salisbury NC
First Name
Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
Im thinking thats my problem on my s10. Gauge lights are super dim, gas gauge only partially works and the other gauges are wonky.


Is your s10 VFD or the analog display?

If its VFD, its not a ground my friend.....
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
16,095
Reaction score
25,884
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
Is your s10 VFD or the analog display?

If its VFD, its not a ground my friend.....
Not sure what vfd is but im betting its analog. Its a 91'
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,796
Reaction score
9,630
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
Lol a loose ground will make you feel real dumb!

So will a loose power wire, or locking your keys in the car .I guess we could keep going but nah.
 
Top