Irritating Electrical Problem

[Hawaii75]

:confused:Aloha folks-

I love my '75 Cutlass but I am having some seriously irritating electrical problems. As with most older cars at night I am experiencing dimming of the headlights, stereo etc. whenever I activate the turn signals or apply the breaks. I have grounded the battery to the frame at three points as well as running a new ground into the dash frame. I installed a new alternator and still no good fix.

In addition most time the car won't start unless I push the steering wheel up (has tilt steering) or tap the steering wheel hard. I replaced the ignition switch and the neutral safety and the problem still persists. Sometimes the electrical system in the passenger compartment just cuts out completely but kicks back in with a good tap on the wheel. I'm guessing I have some kind of ground problem. Anyone else experience this? ARGHH!

Aloha,

John

[oldsmeister]

Do you have a ground wire connected to the fender near the battery? That sounds like the way my lights acted when I forgot that one. Isn't there another one from the rear head of the engine to the firewall?

[psquare75]

Check the lower bolts of the dashboard, on either side.. They are grounding points. Unbolt the dash, lift up a bit, and clean that contact area. My H/O was like you described.. going over a bump, they'd intermittently brighten and dim.

[Hawaii75]

Gents, I appreciate both quick replies.

As far as the engine compartment goes I think I have that pretty well grounded but hey, another one won't hurt and I have spare cable.

I'll also check the grounding points in the passenger compartment. Thanks for the heads up on that I was not aware of the dash screw location.

Well, now I have a couple of fun hours to kill after work today. Thanks again! :)

[Hawaii75]

Do you have a ground wire connected to the fender near the battery? That sounds like the way my lights acted when I forgot that one. Isn't there another one from the rear head of the engine to the firewall?

Hey, you know. I just noticed your firewall comment. I'll deffinately wire that one! Engine compartments going to end up looking like one big ball of black 12-ga wire!

[aretubj]

I say a field trip is in order:D
You know, anything to help

[Hawaii75]

Nah, weather is terrible here. Sunny at 80 degrees with afternoon tradewinds. Who in their right mind would want to come to Hawaii?

Seeing as how I had to send all the way to NY for a drivers side interior door handle if you do head this way briing a new front bumper with you! :D

[Mike 77]

Do you have a ground strap from the engine to the body? Usually goes from the back of the engine near the tranny bolts to the firewall.

[Hawaii75]

Hey, just saw your post! Thanks for the grounding strap idea. I'll take run to Checker Auto if no strap present.

Since I posetd the original thread I added a ground from the battert directly to the interior at the dash. Its helped a little but not 100%. Ground strap sounds good.

[Firethorne77]

John-

Just so you know, us mainland members here are quite jealous of your location this time of year!! ahahahhaa..
Good luck hunting down that electrical issue, I have some more little ones I have to solve this winter in my garage with the reading lamp lights and console lights.
Take care

[Hawaii75]

It does get a litte irritating sometimes having to deal with all the great warm weather! At least if I breakdown on the side of the road I won't freeze to death waiting for a tow!

I was in New Zealand over Christmas and saw several nice '72s a '73 and a Vista Cruiser wagon. All of them in excellent condition.

Not many oldsmobiles left here on Oahu. There were at least two other '75s on island but I haven't seen either in more than five years.

Have a great weekend and I hope you have some good cruising weather!:)

[marfNececew]

Well then Id have to say that the problem your experiencing isnt related to your stereo install. Id just start checking fuses in the fuse panels.

[MrRocket]

I'm thinking that if the new ground straps don't solve the problem I'd start thinking about the steering column. Seems like you have to go back to that whenever you want to start it or bang on it when the short persists. Maybe a bare wire or something in the column, or a loose ground there. Maybe loosen and retighten the bolts that hold it to the dash frame. I don't know much about electrical junk, but I know it's a royal pain! So, good luck and let us know what you find out.

[Hawaii75]

Gents-

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. I think replacing the entire steering column is the only option left. Been looking around here in Honolulu but the supply of appropriate GM columns is severely limited. I love my tilt steering but would settle for ANY column!

Last time I perused the junk yards looking for a drivers side interior door handle all I got was odd looks and snickers. Ended up ordering one from some great guys in NY!

20-years ago I could find parts cars abandoned everywhere, not now.

Aloha,

John

[74hurstolds]

Tilt steering, hmm sounds like an issue I have with my Monte Carlo. When I move the steering column while the windshield wipers are on the wipers will not turn off without killing the ignition or moving the column up and down several times. It sounds to me that you have an open wire in the steering column harness right where it pivots. That's the problem with my car, even though I replaced the wiper/cruise control lever the problem still persists.

I've replaced the turn signal switch on my '75 442 at one point because the horn kept going off. I cannot remember if I had to use the original wireing harness or if the switch came with one. I saw that you replaced yours, if that harness is new then I'd say another wire is grounding out somewhere in the column, possibly the horn too (if you have it disconnected in the engine compartment or the horns don't work otherwise it would keep going off).

You may need to replace the column wireing harness, or maybe the column itself as you mentioned. Whichever is easier.

[Hawaii75]

74hurstolds thanks for more great areas to focus on. I'm going to work on the steering column next weekend and check it out with a meter.

I really love leaving my car at the valet station at hotels and restaurants next to the nice new cars but I hate having to give them the mechanics primer on how to urge my Olds to start up!