[DeTomaso] Electrical Gremlins?

[SOBill at aol.com]

Art,
 
The Pantera has a design compromise in the gauge/lighting  circuits.
 
The same ground wire is used for the gauge reading circuitry and  lighting 
circuitry. In addition, the ground wires for the gauges are  connected is 
series ("daisy chained") between the last gauge in the string (the  water 
temp) and the chassis ground connection. The last gauge in the string is  the 
one which has a single Black wire connected to it's case  terminal.
 
Also, the oil pressure and water temperature gauges depend on the  
electrical connection between the engine and ZF and the ground strap between the  ZF 
and the chassis to complete their circuits.
 
This would not be a big problem if all the connections were clean  and 
tight and the wires were of adequate size. But in  the real world of  long term 
corrosion and low cost/weight wiring, "daisy chaining"  will cause problems.
 
The ultimate solution is to run a separate, stout ground wire  from each 
gauge ground terminal to the single point ground bolt.
 
The ammeter is not affected by this problem because the meter  indicating 
circuit has no connection to the lighting circuit.
 
 
 
SOBill  Taylor
sobill at aol.com  



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