looking for the ground for my gauge cluster in a 1999 Trans am. I know there are multiple grounds on the fire wall. what I'd like is a photo if possible of where they are and the best way to get to them. thanks in advance. this poor car has been used and abused and I'm trying to bring it back.

 

The analog gauges all ground through G110 on the back of the left cylinder head. With the exception of certain indicator lights which ground to controls or sensors (SES light grounds in PCM, hatch ajar grounds in hatch release mechanism, etc.), all other lights and indicators in the cluster ground at G200 - the ground bolt below the dash on the left side behind the left kick panel. These grounds are shared with a multitude of other circuits so it is unlikely they would be causing cluster problems without other symptoms. In fact, despite the constant cries to "check your grounds" in many forum posts, grounds are seldom a problem for interior circuits.

 

To be clear this is the passenger side of the engine bay correct?

 

No, left and right in a car are always specified from the position of being seated inside the car. So left side is the driver's side in North America regardless of whether your sitting in the car or looking under the hood from the front (the left side doesn't change just because you've turned around and are looking at it from the opposite direction). In England and Australia (and some other places) the left side would still be the same but they would call it the passenger side because they drive from the right side of the vehicle.

 

So found said ground wires cleaned all of them and put them back tight as can be. Still no tach,odometer,temp,fuel gauge, or speedometer. Any suggestions? I’ve already checked and replaced fuses and checked the ground behind the kickplate.

 

Those have two things in common... they all run off the GAUGES fuse and they use class 2 serial data. First you should replace the GAUGES fuse because a visual inspection of an old fuse often won't reveal that it is blown. You can test with a multimeter or fuse tester but for the few cents a new fuse costs, it's better to just replace it.

Beyond that it's just a case of checking for loose connections or broken wires. There are tests you can do for the serial data but they require more sophisticated tools than the typical driveway mechanic has. Let us know if you have access to a scan tool and we can provide testing procedures to try.

 

Have a scan tool. From blue driver. The only two measurements it can’t tell me about are the odometer and fuel level. It reads everything else. Also looks like a good portion of the AIR system has been removed