Ditto. I had the dash cluster pulled forward once in my 1985 M-B when I cranked the starter. The speedometer cable started smoking. WTF? It had the thick ground strap from transmission-block bolt to frame. I removed it, sanded both sides and coated w/ silicone grease and no more smoking speedo cable. Another time, a new alternator didn't fix the "no charge current" in my 69 Dart. I clipped a jumper cable from alternator frame to BATT- and "viola" got charge current. I sanded the bolt-up points on the original alternator and the bracket and it then worked too. Later Mopar alternators added a stud for a case ground. Aluminum oxide (white powder) is a great electrical insulator. Many 1960's houses w/ the new aluminum wiring burned down.
