grounds underneath dash

[crimsondragon]

I'm wiring my wideband and I'm hooking up the 12v to the ignition On. Are there any grounds for ignition that I can just tap into? If not ignition then any other electrical things is fine just as long as it's under the dash. The closest thing I could think of was either the ECU or the radio and I don't want to tap it that far. I've looked at the Hayne's and DSM manual but it doesn't state what wires are what.

 

[TALONTRAX]

If you ever had the radio out or been behind the console, there are several ground lugs on the metal dash support with 10 mm.bolts/nuts with black ground wires on ring terminals strapped to them. You can ground your equipment to one of them . . .

 

[crimsondragon]

I have when I took my radio out. It's still too far though. It's a general travel distance from the driver side of the car to the center. It'll be a wiring mess. I'm still prefering a ground at either the steering wheel column or any of the connectors that have a ground beneath the dash or near the interior fuse box.

 

[talonalex92]

I grounded my UEGO where the screw is for the drivers kick panel. I clamped on a circle connector thing, and stuck it under the screw.

 

[crimsondragon]

No problems with the accuracy of the gauge? Innovate rants on about the importance of proper grounding and that all electronics should be grounded together to one spot, preferably the engine block. I don't know if the fact that it's an all digital wideband that needs such a quality ground or not.

 

[chris9149]

I mean if you are really worried about quality grounding, you could just run a wire from in the engine bay (at your choice of grounding points) to the interior and use that for all your grounding needs.
But I would just go with the radio ground. That will be the easy way, and it really wont be a mess, you are only running one ground wire...

 

[gsxAWDdsm692]

Isn't a ground just a ground? As long as its bare metal it should be fine. But connecting all grounds together is always a +

 

[crimsondragon]

Shrugs, the way Innovate put it, it seemed like if it wasn't connected altogether, the car would blow up. Maybe they're just hyping it up. Also they highly recommend against grounding to a radio because of some electrical interference shit. W/e I'll just find a chassis point then. Thanks anyway.

 

[luv2rallye]

Isn't a ground just a ground? As long as its bare metal it should be fine. But connecting all grounds together is always a +

Well NOT ALWAYS! Certain sensors require their own ground to the ECU to reduce electrical noise and ground loops from occuring and to guarantee that the sensor's ground is at the exact same voltage potential as the ECU ground (which it might not be with large current flowing through any other ground). I don't know about the wideband one but the stock 2g O2 sensor is one that requires this (which is why Innovate might be rambling about it so much). I have solved many Tuner's "runs like crap" problem due to this where they could find no mechanic able to solve their problem.

On a 2g (but not 1g) ECU pin 92 goes to the signal grounds of the following engine sensors: manifold diff pressure, engine coolant temp, front O2, rear O2, TPS, volume air flow, and fuel tank diff pressure. Pin 92 is grounded inside the ECU but all these sensors signal grounds must NOT be grounded anywhere but through pin 92 to avoid electrical noise and ground loops from affecting the sensors differential signals - ie. voltage between each of these sensors signal and signal ground. Some people and even some mechanics, don't know/realize this and they mistakenly connect signal ground to the engine (as in a 1g). A typical example is when replacing the front O2 sensor and the harness connector/wires are damaged and need replacing. Connecting the O2 signal ground to the engine/chassis (or even battery negative) can cause misleading and noisy signals to the ECU causing the ECU to run the engine poorly. And if it is still also connected to the original harness signal ground wire, then all of the above engine sensors will also have that problem and the engine may "run like crap".

 

[Defiant]

DSMs don't have a radio ground. However, almost any chunk of metal under the dash will be a good ground. Check it with your VOM.

 

[napkinthief]

DSMs don't have a radio ground. However, almost any chunk of metal under the dash will be a good ground. Check it with your VOM.

Im pretty sure the 2g stock radio grounds through the lower right screw that holds it on.

Isn't a ground just a ground? As long as its bare metal it should be fine. But connecting all grounds together is always a +

Your battery - is connected to the engine and chasis. Hence, any metal surface on your car's body is a ground. Upgrade the - battery to chasis ground or the big 3 and any grounding point on your car is nearly the same as connecting to your - terminal.

A good option is to find a screw that is in the chasis, remove it, sand it down with 800 grit paper just enough for your terminal to make good contact with the car (no paint left), then just screw it back on tight.

 

[gsxAWDdsm692]

Nice responses!

So having a grounding kit in your car can help out any ground your making as long as its a clean ground?

 

[Defiant]

Im pretty sure the 2g stock radio grounds through the lower right screw that holds it on.

Sorry, what I meant was that is doesn't have a ground wire. It grounds through the chassis to the frame. It won't matter which screw.