Earth problems

Hi there

I am currently restoring a 1984 MK1GTi and after lots of love, toil, pain (mainly scraped knuckles) and anguish she is about 90% ready.  I have been plagued by electrical problems in a big way though, and even though I have sorted out some, others still seem to pop up. I have read in many previous posts that the earth from the rocker cover can be a problem. That is my problem: My car doesnt have one, my 1983 GTi doesnt have one either!  8O  Is this just how it is with S.A. spec cars? The 1983 GTi doesnt have any problems whatsoever.  :dontknow: I have tried to run  a wire from the rocker cover to the body as I assume that is where it should go, but so far it doesnt seem to be making much of a difference.

Any help in this regard will be greatly appreciated, thanks

the earlier cars dont seem to have them, the wire should run from the rocker cover to one of the ignition coil mounting bolts.

what are the issues you are having

Hi John

Mainly with the instrument cluster. The heatguage is erratic, and the rev counter is also erratic. I read in some of the other posts that one should always first check the earth from the rocker cover. Possibly my cars dont have this then.

that is certainly the 1st thing I would do
if that doesnt help, check the dash plug is seated properly, pull it out and reconnect perhaps. then look at the earth wire (brown) for the clocks., splice in a fresh earth to ground and see where that gets you.