Head and tail light ground

[BrianStasC-101 5]

Hello all this is my first post and my first tractor beginning the wheel horse journey(c-101). I was recently tinkering with my head and tail lights (removing the junk LED lights someone installed for headlights) and see that there only appears to be a positive wire running to both head and tail lights and I was wondering where they receive ground as the tail lights only work when the fender is tight and the headlights flicker as I open and close the hood if they are turned on and they become steady on once the hood is latched. 

[ebinmaine 67,553]

 

 

The ground is expected to come from the chassis itself and quite frankly, does not do the best job at that.

 

 

I've rebuilt 8 or 10 full chassis harnesses over the last few years and I've gotten in the habit of running a separate ground to EVERY component.

 

If I change over to LEDs I use the ground wire coming from the bulbs themselves or if I stay with a stock type bulb I run aground wire right to the base of the socket of the lamp.

 

There should be large ground wires of 6 gauge or thicker going from battery ground to both frame AND engine.  

 

The gauge sizes of the rest of the ground wires are determined by the component.

 

 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,594]

 

And 

[Achto 27,594]

 

Like Eric, I also run a separate ground to the lights on my tractors. 

Edited March 14, 2023 by Achto

[kpinnc 12,066]

On 3/14/2023 at 9:47 AM, ebinmaine said:

I've rebuilt 8 or 10 full chassis harnesses over the last few years and I've gotten in the habit of running a separate ground to EVERY component.

 

 

Pure wisdom!

 

A ground jumper between the frame and hood/ fender is just plain good practice. It is all benefits with no risk.