[Redrum]

I rewired my entire car with a Painless wiring system and I have a intermittent problem with gauges and high beams on the headlights. Sometimes everything works perfectly. Usually I have some twitching on the gauge needles (temerature and oil pressure) and blinking out of the high beams. When the Gremlins are at work the voltmeter does not read properly but the alternator is putting out 14.2 volts and I get a reading of 14 volts at the cigarette lighter.

The - battery terminal cable is attached to the engine. I have a ground strap from the cowl to the engine and a ground strap from the frame to the body near the rightfront passenger floorpan. I grounded the instrument panel in two locations, one at the headlight switch and one from the metal instrument housing.

I suspect I have a ground issue and would like to know if I need additional grounding straps from the engine to the frame or if those whit more understanding of wiring think I need to redo the grounds to the instruments and headlight switch. I thought it might be engine ground related because of the twitching of the temperature and oil pressure gagues.

If you think I am chasing this in the wrong place please let me know! I can take the heat if you think I am off track.

 

[John_Muha]

Maybe more questions than answers but I'll give it a shot. I've been off track more than once but what the heck.
First thing: Is your battery still in the front?
"The battery terminal cable is attached to the engine. I have a ground strap from the cowl to the engine and a ground strap from the frame to the body near the right front passenger floor pan."
What you have done here is use the engine block to ground the headlights and dash. The dash ground will be cleaner and better if you tie it to the battery. That's why the original set-up has a ground wire from battery (-) to the right inside fender.
Second thing:
When the voltmeter flickers, is this always with the high beams on? Or does it occur with low beams? Or does it occur with the lights off?
Lastly:
Where is the voltmeter tied to? Both the + side and the - side.

 

[Redrum]

Battery remains in the stock location.

The voltmeter gets 12+ from the Painless harness voltmeter circuit (wire 935) and is grounded to the metal instrument housing.

I could with some effort bring a 12 gauge ground wire from the battery to the point I have the instrument panel grounded and bring the ground for the light switch to the same point. That certainly would help determine if the issue is a ground issue. I hadn't thought of that possibility.

 

[John_Muha]

You sure on the dash light circuit? Voltage there is variable depending on where you set the dimmer pot to. Should have been picked off the IGN terminal. No need to run the ground or return path back that far. You can ground it to the sheetmetal near the battery.

 

[Redrum]

Oops sorry, I had to look at the Painless guide. Wired into wire 935, "Voltmeter Source & Gauges B+".

 

[Redrum]

John Muha -

I think yo may have hit the problem right on! Put in ground to the fender today and all is working as it should. I turned on every electrical component possible and all remained stable. It will be a while before I'm sure so I'll try to remember to post in a few weeks if the gremlins don't return. Thanks!

 

[John_Muha]

No such thing as gremlins. Now fairies and trolls are a different story. Used to work with "Tinker" Bell. One fine looking lady.