Headlight Ground Wire - Where is it?

[chevyaddict]

Hey all - does anyone know off hand where the headlight ground wire is mounted on an 81? My headlights are beginning to flicker while I'm driving and it doesn't matter if the brights are on or not - its only the headlights and not the running lights (which are on a different circuit) so I know its not my headlight switch. I think its just a loose ground wire but when I was searching for it, I couldn't find it. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[6880 Mike]

If memory serves, the ground screws into the radiator support on the driver's side out front. I agree with you; it wouldn't hurt to clean the ring terminal and the contact area on the support.

 

[damoroso]

I had the same kind of "flickering" on my headlights, specifically, the left side. Looked for grounding issues, and I couldn't find any. Turned out that the support was broken in one corner. You couldn't see it, but every bump in the road made the assembly bounce just a bit. That caused the "flicker". Got it welded and presto! Hopefully yours IS a ground issue, but I thought I'd share just in case!

 

[chevyaddict]

I had the same kind of "flickering" on my headlights, specifically, the left side. Looked for grounding issues, and I couldn't find any. Turned out that the support was broken in one corner. You couldn't see it, but every bump in the road made the assembly bounce just a bit. That caused the "flicker". Got it welded and presto! Hopefully yours IS a ground issue, but I thought I'd share just in case!

Well, its both lights in concert, regardless if brights or not and I know the actually assemblies are rock tight but thanks for sharing that! One more thing that I wouldn't have thought of to check for sure.

 

[spikebot 81]

The repair manual says "headlight ground is in the center of the front fender support". But no pictures. Good luck

 

[6880 Mike]

The repair manual says "headlight ground is in the center of the front fender support". But no pictures. Good luck

I'm guessing they are calling the radiator support the "front fender support."

 

[spikebot 81]

I'm guessing they are calling the radiator support the "front fender support."

Well good question Mike. I had to go to the garage and look. The frame that runs from one side of the car to the other, between the hood and the headlights. On each side where that brace attaches to the fender brace there is a ground lug on both sides. Dont know if its for the headlights but its in the right location. These cars have way too many ground points

 

[duke94]

Here's my 71'. The ground is on the left side of the core support. You can see it just to the left of the headlight actuator in this pix.

Gary

 

[TimAT]

69,74,and 77 all have a ground on the header bar that runs across the front just in front of the hood opening, between the horns. Headlights, park lights, marker lights and turn signals all ground there along with the mount for the horn(s). The ground in Duke's picture is just for the core support and keeps it bonded to the rest of the car.