I am trying to locate the ground for the cluster that feeds out to the engine bay on the 87 firebirds. Having issues finding it where it is. I think I Have a splice issue at the ground my cluster is doing all sorts of goofy stuff gauges working intermittently and other stuff like that. Can someone point me in a direction I know it comes out in the right side of the dash area by the blower motor.

 

There are ring terminals on a metal rail, just behind the plastic dash, located next to steering column. The rail is screwed to metal tabs next to the doors. That's the electrical ground path to chassis for parts of the gauge panel. The sensors themselves are also part of the ground path (oil pressure, coolant, fuel level).

 

thanks Im finishing a total custom overhaul on my car and I am pulling my hair out with some of these odd electrical gremlins I have. I decided I am going back through the harness and getting rid of absolutely every wire i dont need now.

 

All the wires that go in and out of the gauge pod go through some lousy connectors on the back of the pod. They're just basically springs that apply pressure to the copper trace in the green screen. The terminals develops surface oxidation that can cause problems with conductivity. Rubbing it with a pencil eraser will clean it up without damaging the thin tin coating and maybe help your issues.