I've been working on a 1986 244 and trying to fix one problem at a time.

I recently posted a topic about the tach not working on a rebuilt cluster that I purchased and one suggestion that I got was to check the ground cluster that is in the center console of the car.

Well i did find the ground cluster, (there were like 6 wires all hooked together), and although they looked clean and tight I did go ahead and sand them well and reinstalled.

Now here's my question:

Before doing this I had a problem with the charging system.
At key on, the warning lights would sometimes light up and at other times I would get nothing but the oil pressure light.
Also, the car was not charging while I had this issue since the battery ended up dying on me due to numerous starts.

Also, the engine was pretty much running like crap.
I would have to crank the motor for probably 10 - 15 seconds before the car would even fire.
Then I would have to turn the key off......try to restart the car and usually on the third attempt it would sputter to life.
The car also would not idle well once it did start.
I would have to feather the throttle for a minute or two before it would settle into what I would call a rough idle.....basically shuddering a little while idling.

Anyway, after cleaning those ground points I now get all of the dash warning lights every time I start the car.
I've verified that the alternator is charging since I now get 14.1 volts at the battery posts with the car running.

Furthermore I only have to crank the car for maybe 3 or 4 seconds before it fires and starts and it then idles perfectly with no sign of shuddering or missing.

So what the heck did I accomplish in cleaning the ground connections in the center console?
What do those ground wires go to that would have made such a dramatic difference in how the car starts and runs?

Don't get the wrong, I'm thrilled that this simple task seems to have solved a lot of my problems but I'm just wondering what my superior mechanical skills actually accomplished. :-)

Thanks in advance.
Dave
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I dream of a world where a chicken can cross the road without having its motives questioned.