Clock ground

Chumley · 03-15-2007, 05:45 PM

I have a '72 Cutlass. Is there supposed to be a ground wire attached to the back of one of the clock housing nuts? My service manual shows one. I installed a supposedly "working clock" with no success. The only ground I could detect was that metal strap on the dash instrument face where one of the mounting screws goes in, thereby making contact with the clock housing. I guess I need this other wire as well? The clock power feed is hot, as well as the lamp feed.
Thanks, Chumley

Oldsguy · 03-16-2007, 04:31 AM

To double check that run a wire from the metal housing of the clock to a known good ground like the metal firewall or metal on the doorjamb or on the seat frame. Someplace that you know for sure is ground and unpainted. Then see if the clock runs. If it does then you can find a more appropriate and convinient spot to run the wire to.

Chumley · 03-16-2007, 07:46 PM

Thanks, that's what I was thinking to do next. I have 3 of these clocks and none of them show any evidence of there having been a ground wire attached. Time for more investigating...........Chumley

keith6989 · 03-17-2007, 02:39 PM

Some clocks are "electrically wound" and you have to make it wind somehow by shorting a wire to it or somthing like that, if you don't the clock will sometimes sit and do nothing. Let me know what you found out.

Chumley · 03-19-2007, 07:48 PM

Well I attached a wire to the housing and tucked the other end in a crevice on the metal part of the dash. I don't know if this was the "shorting out" mentioned in the previous post, but now the clock works ( without the temporary ground wire hooked up). Don't quite understand it all, but I'm happy I now have a working clock.
Chumley

Oldsguy · 03-20-2007, 04:42 AM

Sounds like the housing was the ground for the clock motor. Good work.

Chumley · 03-22-2007, 10:03 AM

Yes, but after the clock started working, I removed the wire and it is still running! Maybe these clocks just need this "jump start" to get things going. I'm going to try it with the other 2 clocks I have to test this theory.I'll keep you posted.......Chumley

03-15-2007, 05:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Chumley Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 154	Clock ground I have a '72 Cutlass. Is there supposed to be a ground wire attached to the back of one of the clock housing nuts? My service manual shows one. I installed a supposedly "working clock" with no success. The only ground I could detect was that metal strap on the dash instrument face where one of the mounting screws goes in, thereby making contact with the clock housing. I guess I need this other wire as well? The clock power feed is hot, as well as the lamp feed. Thanks, Chumley

03-16-2007, 04:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
Oldsguy Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 2,757	To double check that run a wire from the metal housing of the clock to a known good ground like the metal firewall or metal on the doorjamb or on the seat frame. Someplace that you know for sure is ground and unpainted. Then see if the clock runs. If it does then you can find a more appropriate and convinient spot to run the wire to. __________________ Dan '46 2 door

03-17-2007, 02:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
keith6989 2Blue 55" Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 377	Some clocks are "electrically wound" and you have to make it wind somehow by shorting a wire to it or somthing like that, if you don't the clock will sometimes sit and do nothing. Let me know what you found out. __________________ Robert 1955 Oldsmobile Super 88

03-20-2007, 04:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
Oldsguy Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 2,757	Sounds like the housing was the ground for the clock motor. Good work. __________________ Dan '46 2 door

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-16-2007, 07:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
Chumley Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 154	Thanks, that's what I was thinking to do next. I have 3 of these clocks and none of them show any evidence of there having been a ground wire attached. Time for more investigating...........Chumley

03-19-2007, 07:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chumley Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 154	Well I attached a wire to the housing and tucked the other end in a crevice on the metal part of the dash. I don't know if this was the "shorting out" mentioned in the previous post, but now the clock works ( without the temporary ground wire hooked up). Don't quite understand it all, but I'm happy I now have a working clock. Chumley

03-22-2007, 10:03 AM	#7 (permalink)
Chumley Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 154	Yes, but after the clock started working, I removed the wire and it is still running! Maybe these clocks just need this "jump start" to get things going. I'm going to try it with the other 2 clocks I have to test this theory.I'll keep you posted.......Chumley