Hi all,

Recently I've been having a ground issue in my '93. For as long as I've owned it, the Alternator gauge dips/bounces back slightly when the turn signals are on, but I noticed tonight that all the cluster lights dim ever so slightly when it does this....did not notice this before.

In addition, I have terrible radio reception. This truck has the best AM radio in any vehicle I've ever owned. Now, I have no AM reception, and very poor FM reception. I can only pick up the two strongest stations, but sometimes (on a good day) I can pick up 3-4 of my usual stations, and one AM station very faintly. Otherwise, just static.

I swapped out my radio control unit with a known good one, and the issue still remains with the radio.

I cleaned the neg. battery terminal, the negative terminal to the front fender ground, neg. terminal to the AC compressor bracket ground, and the strap that goes from the firewall to the head.

Where in the interior should I be looking for a ground/ ground issue?


EDIT: Well sh*t, I managed to snap off the antenna in the process of removing it. I see tow screws that hold the assembly to the fender, however, I don't see how to remove it from the fender. Has anyone done this? Please tell me I don't have to pull the fender....

 

Ok, found out the problem with the antenna, coax had a bad connection under the hood (right where it goes into that plastic plug in the fender.

Here is the thing. It's a loose fit, so it's far from fixed how I'd like. My question is, can the plug be separated where it goes into the fender? It seems like it could pull out, but I sort of tried and it didn't just pop out, with it being as loose as it was. I'd hate to rip it apart and be screwed until I can go to the junkyard.

I can take a photo if it would help people understand what I am talking about.

It's basically the joint where the coax coming out of the antenna joins the coax going into the control head. One part is the rubber coax, and it plugs into this metal fitting.

 

Uhh.. yeah a picture would be good I guess. My old 89 had the same issue with the gauges dipping with the headlights, turn signals blower motor etc. I never figured it out, honestly.

 

Change the regulator.

And as for the antennae, there is a screw on the inside of the fender that hold it in place. There is a access hole for it, but you may have to move something else to get to it. If you want it perfect, good luck. If not, put some joint compound silicone on it where the plug is in the fender.