Dash Earth Points

[spend]

Due to the access restrictions to these earth points, I wondered about relocating them to a more convenient point. It was not clear from the bible (or searching these forums) of how to reach them, so I have added a brief description of how I got to them below.

I have already modified the front earth points using battery connector style leads to connect to both chassis points and then bolting through the bodywork behind the grill. I then connected the loom by bolting the connectors on the top.

It looks like this would also be a good idea for the dash earth points, but I cant see where would be good position apart from all the way back in the dash.

I was a little surprised that the battery wasn't grounded via the left hand of these earth points, but the cable run down into the engine bay.


Any suggestions?

Dave

I managed to access the dash earth point(s) by removing the central transmission tunnel upper panel, you can then just see the bolts looking down the fibre glass moulding. Removed the central carpet (no central vents) and peeled back the carpet from the centre to 2" down the drivers footwell. This revealed (under the foam) a small access hole to the bolt and earth cables. I cut out a flap in the foam and enlarged the hole slightly by cutting the fibreglass. Getting the carpet off was tricky, I used a decorating scraper thingy to break seal & prise up from underneath. It was also a bit tricky to roll back the carpet under the lower dash, but eased it out by using same tool betweeen dash and back of rolled over carpet (slid easier under the steel) whilst gently levering between lower dash and transmission tunnel top. I guess each car could be different, but you should be able to see how far back the bolt is and drill/cut a hole to access it.

[shpub]

The bible does show where they are in a photo and that to access them the centre console needs to be lifted.

This is relatively easy to do and I am not sure of the real benefit in relocating them just to make access easier when they do not need to be accessed that often in the first place.

The battery is eartherd directly to the engine first and then the chassis to prevent earth loop problems. This is also the easiest way to ensure that there is no voltage drop when the starter is used and the battery provides several hundred amps!

>> Edited by shpub on Sunday 20th July 07:23

>> Edited by shpub on Sunday 20th July 07:27

[spend]

The bible does show them, but the key is to peel back the carpet under the lower dash, which is not mentioned in the bible. This may be even be possible without removing the transmission cover. The Chimaera cover does not extend as far as this loacation, and I suspect if central vents are fitted it may be even easier to remove the carpet. Hence the reason I logged the procedure here, it may help some other poor Chim (not Griff) owner.

Personally I would happier to have accessable earth points, for testing and adding connections. I think the point I made about joining cables to dual chassis connections is also more reliable. For myself I plan to have this kind of provision at he front, rear and in the dash - for my own peace of mind and reliability. Note that bolting large ring terminals to the chassis provides far greater elecrical contact in areas subject to corrosion - so will be inherently more durable. I have seen this approach taken with other G/fibre cars and simply intend to implement on the Chim.

I was asking for any advice as to where to locate a new earth distribution point for the dash area (linked to the 2 chassis earth points in the transmission tunnel).

Cheers, Dave

[shpub]

The only chassis points that are easy to get to are the ones under the tunnel. You could run a seperate earthing wire up behind the dash but access would require the top to be removed each time which may or may not be as much work to access the tunnel ones.