Could use some help with wiring routing

IMO, It would help if you posted pictures.

The wire in question is the motor grounding strap. It goes from the left hand motor mount to the car's frame rail.

It is frequently over looked during a motor swap and simply ripped out.

97_4.v said:

So how could it be the ground strap if it’s a hot wire, I would think that means it should be hooked up to something as a positive end not as a ground

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Weeeeellllll................ Why don't you tell me what the other side of that strap is attached to? Perhaps the frame rail? Or the motor mounts????

Orrrrr is there another grounding strap on the left hand motor mount?

But since you have doubts, why not perform some tests for yourself so that you can feel good about it? Using a Volt-Ohm meter (VOM) measure the voltage difference between the wire and battery negative? Could it be zero (or very near zero)? IF it's a power wire as you believe then there should be some voltage at the wire?

Howto perform charging system voltage drop test

Want more tests? Perform a voltage drop test between the alternator case and battery negative. Does the amount of voltage DROP when the ground strap is connected?

Bottom line. There is supposed to be a motor grounding strap that goes from the left hand motor mount stud to the car's frame rail. Some model years a bare braided flat wire. Some have a red rubberized coating. Looks a ton like your picture.

OBTW, I suspect that the electrical problems you are having are because the ground wire ISN"T connected. EXPECT problems when heavy loads switch on such as the radiator cooling fan if this motor grounding strap is missing. I have help more than one person that have problems with the motor apparently over heating when the cooling fan kicks on. In many cases the problem was traced to voltage dropping as load increased. The cause being a poor motor ground not allowing the alternator to return enough current.

wmburns said:

Weeeeeeell................ Why don't you tell me what the other side of that strap is attached to? Perhaps the frame rail?????

Orrrrr is there another grounding strap on the left hand motor mount?

But since you have doubts, why not perform some tests for yourself so that you can feel good about it? Using a Volt-Ohm meter (VOM) measure the voltage difference between the wire and battery negative? Could it be zero (or very near zero)? IF it's a power wire as you believe then there should be some voltage at the wire?

Howto perform charging system voltage drop test

Howto perform charging system voltage drop test

To anyone else reading any of my posts I usually include the line: Today's cars simply will not run right without a strong battery and charging system! Cut corners here at your own risk I'm a big believer in starting with the basics. As such I...

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Want more tests? Perform a voltage drop test between the alternator case and battery negative. Does the amount of voltage DROP when the ground strap is connected?

Bottom line. There is supposed to be a motor grounding strap that goes from the left hand motor mount stud to the car's frame rail. Some model years a bare braided flat wire. Some have a red rubberized coating. Looks a ton like your picture.

OBTW, I suspect that the electrical problems you are having are because the ground wire ISN"T connected. EXPECT problems when heavy loads switch on such as the radiator cooling fan if this motor grounding strap is missing. I have help more than one person that have problems with the motor apparently over heating when the cooling fan kicks on. In many cases the problem was traced to voltage dropping as load increased. The cause being a poor motor ground not allowing the alternator to return enough current.

Click to expand...

I’m having the same issue, had a new 4 valve motor from an 01 cobra put in and the guy probably didn’t use thread locker on any of the bolts, a few weeks ago I had my ground strap come off and I was dropping voltage while on the road. So not exactly safe.. but my question is, where is the best location to hook up this ground strap on the motor? It’s very tight on the drivers side chassis, but don’t exactly know where to hook her back up to. Any suggestions?

Callmekale said:

but my question is, where is the best location to hook up this ground strap on the motor? It’s very tight on the drivers side chassis, but don’t exactly know where to hook her back up to. Any suggestions?

Click to expand...

On the motor mount is a two sided stud. One side of the grounding strap goes there.

The other end attaches to a the bottom of the frame rail at a point straight across from the motor mount.