[RFrenette]

I was wondering if someone could tell me if my 69 is Positive grounded. I am guessing it is as there is a wire that goes from the pos terminal on the batt to the radiator support. Pic URL: http://www.rmfsys.com/rmfracing/images/temp/positive_cable_harness_1.jpg

Also, when I bought the car the elec choke wasn't hooked up to anything, except for the black wire that is connected to itself and to one of its mountig screws (ground?). Pic URL: http://www.rmfsys.com/rmfracing/images/temp/elec_choke_1.jpg

Can someone please tell me where the pos should hook up to?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[DjD]

NO! Notice the red positive wire is insulated from the core support. Your cars system is 12v neg ground.

The choke needs a positive connection that is hot when the key is on.

------------------
...Dennis
"The '69, the '96 & the club"

[This message has been edited by DjD (edited 02-22-2002).]

 

[camcojb]

To add to Dennis' reply, either run a wire from the accessory fuse or check the wiper motor wires; one of them is 12V with the key on only. Don't hook it to constant 12V (always on) as it will burn the choke up. Also DO NOT hook the power to the coil.

Jody

 

[kz1000ltd]

Rob, great question! I've been scratching my head about this for along time now, my totally un-original 69' Camaro has the exact same wire in the exact same location, and I've always wondered what in the heck it was there for? The car has always ran fine, without any electrical problems, so I've never messed with it. Words to live by, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".......However, now that I see somebody with the exact same wire, I want to know what is the deal? Could there be any logical explanation as to why it's there, and what would be the result of having a "positively" charged "ground" wire attached to the car? Should I just remove it?

------------------
John D. Smith
69 SS/396 CLONE!
The Texas Tornado lives!
http://www.geocities.com/kz1000ltd/

North Texas Camaro Club

Hobbystage Free Picture Posting!!! http://hobbystage.net/camaro/69ss396/

 

[ZZ_430]

The wire goes to a junction block mounted on the core support, and goes across the front of the car, usually to the horn relay/main harness.

Without this wire, there would be no juice to the inside of the car.

------------------
Don~ ZZ430DropTophttp://hometown.aol.com/zz430droptop67rs
~~~~and~~~~
70 RS/Z28
67 RS/SS Convertible, 70 RS/Z28

 

[76Maro]

ZZ got it...it goes to a junction block that sends power through the front lighting harness (along with the horn relay and voltage reg/alt.)

------------------
1973 Type LT Camaro ...the daily driver

1968 2 door sport coupe...the toy!

1970 Chevelle SS396 (L34)...numbers matching, all original!

American Muscle Cars...as seen in Super Chevy Magazine, THE Camaro/Chevelle/El Camino we do other stuff too!) resto shop in SoCal

The Monday Nite Car Club!...our car club

 

[JohnZ]

1. I have no idea what that wire is that's grounded to the rad support, but DON'T connect it to the (+) battery terminal, or it will disappear in a cloud of white smoke. The (+) terminal is hot 12 volts, and the small (flexible fusible link) wire from that terminal doesn't go to the rad support, it goes to an insulated plastic terminal block next to the battery where it connects to the 10-ga. red main power feed wire for the whole car that goes across the front of the rad support to the horn relay, alternator, and voltage regulator on the other side.

2. The black wire on the choke housing is the ground for the heating element - the other terminal needs an ignition-switched full 12-volt feed to operate the choke. Since it's not connected now, your choke must be adjusted full lean (open) and not operating at all. You can get a switched 12-volt feed from the wiper motor or from the cavity in the fuse block labeled "ign".

All American cars are negative-ground; British cars used to be positive-ground ("positive-earth", as the Brits called it) until they changed during the early 60's.

------------------
JohnZ
CRG
'69 Z28 Fathom Green

 

[RFrenette]

Hey kz1000ltd, misery loves company!

Does that wire connect to the pos batt terminal on your car? JohnZ said not to connect it there but that is exactly where is was on my car - before I started tearing her down that is.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[kz1000ltd]

That's where mine's at too, and I've always wondered why it hasn't sparked up like JohnZ says, that's what's so confusing about it. Have you ever touched something with your half-inch wrench while loosening the + side battery cable? Zap!!!! Everyone's done it, this should be the same principle. I still don't think mine's attached to a box, it's at the body shop, I'll check it next weekend and get a picture. But I sware to you it's connected to the + side of the battery, and it's "grounded" to the radiator support?

------------------
John D. Smith
69 SS/396 CLONE!
The Texas Tornado lives!

North Texas Camaro Club

Hobbystage Free Picture Posting!!! http://hobbystage.net/camaro/69ss396/

 

[DjD]

John Z is speaking of of the wire next to the radiator cap!!! It is bolted to the radiator support and will fry if you connect it to the pos terminal of the battery.

The red one on the right side of the picture is (as stated by several) tied to an insulator that keeps it from shorting to ground. The red should go to the positive terminal.

------------------
...Dennis
"The '69, the '96 & the club"

 

[RFrenette]

Ahhh... light shines on marble head!

I didn't realize he was talking about the small wire near the rad cap.

Thanks for clearing up the confusion!

BTW: John, where does that wire go on your car? If I remember correctly, it goes to the ground terminal on the alternator.

Pic: http://www.rmfsys.com/rmfracing/images/temp/alt_harness_4.jpg

[This message has been edited by RFrenette (edited 02-25-2002).]

 

[Winch]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JohnZ:

All American cars are negative-ground; British cars used to be positive-ground ("positive-earth", as the Brits called it) until they changed during the early 60's.

[/B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I believe if you go back a ways you'll find positive grounded cars. My first car was a 52 Plymouth that I'm pretty sure was that way. But then who cares about a 52 PLYmouth?

 

[ZZ_430]

Yes, many early American cars were positive ground.

------------------
Don~ ZZ430DropTophttp://hometown.aol.com/zz430droptop67rs
~~~~and~~~~
70 RS/Z28
67 RS/SS Convertible, 70 RS/Z28

 

[JohnZ]

Sorry for the confusion about the wire - when I first opened the photo I didn't notice the scroll bars, and assumed the question was about the only wire I saw, which was the one near the radiator cap - never saw the junction block over on the right.

I don't know what that wire is near the rad cap, but it's not original - someone must have added it to ground something. The alternator is grounded to the engine through its mountings - no separate ground is used.

------------------
JohnZ
CRG
'69 Z28 Fathom Green