Where Does This Wire Go? (Pics)

[Deleted member 87397]

I installed a new starter solenoid on Saturday since I broke the plastic crappy one that was in there twisiting to hard and when I was done I saw this wire hanging there and I know I didn't take it off of the solenoid when I removed the other wires. It may have been held down by one of the screws attaching the solenoid to the body or it could have just been hiding back in the harness all this time and I disloged it. I don't remember it being there before. Anyway, it just looks like a simple ground to me for something, but I want to make sure before I go grounding it somewhere. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Mike92GT]

Is it solid black or does it have a white stripe? My starter solenoid has a little silver rectangular relay-looking thing on the terminal that the battery cable goes to. I have a similar wire that connects to that part

 

[JimBowy]

I installed a new starter solenoid on Saturday since I broke the plastic crappy one that was in there twisiting to hard and when I was done I saw this wire hanging there and I know I didn't take it off of the solenoid when I removed the other wires. It may have been held down by one of the screws attaching the solenoid to the body or it could have just been hiding back in the harness all this time and I disloged it. I don't remember it being there before. Anyway, it just looks like a simple ground to me for something, but I want to make sure before I go grounding it somewhere. Any help would be appreciated.

we know as good as you do.... i'd follow it back to where it belongs

or you could always try checking it for voltage when the car is starting, off, and running....

 

[jrichker]

Wire color including the tracer stripe? Use a little cleaner to clean up the wire so that you can see the colors. They color is the key to the function.

 

[Deleted member 87397]

It is clean and there is no stripe on it. It's just black, which makes me think it's just a ground.

 

[jrichker]

It is clean and there is no stripe on it. It's just black, which makes me think it's just a ground.

In an automotive setting a ground is a very important thing. No ground and a circuit doesn't work. The ground is the path for current to return to the battery. Insted of using a wire to connect the return side of an electrical load, the metal chassis (ground) is used instead. It saves much weight and $$$.

 

[Mike92GT]

Here's a couple pics of mine. You see the little relay box on the solenoid? The black wire (mine has a white stripe) has the same connector as the one in your pic. It then runs into the wire harness. Since it doesn't look like your car has this relay, I'm thinking that's where the wire used to go. Jrichker, any idea what that relay thing does?

 

[Deleted member 87397]

Thanks Mike92. That looks like it may be it. I'd really like to know what that relay does since mine does not have it. If it's important, I'll find one and hook it up. Anyone know what that relay is for. Mike I see your's is a 93. Mine's an 86, so maybe something is different about the way it's setup, but then why would the wire be there? Anyone else??

 

[fox racer]

i believe (dont quote me) that little box has comething to do with the fuel pump.

 

[$uperstang]

FAst Fox, You would be surpirsed at how many wires are in our stangs these days that just sit there because of production cost. Ford felt it cheaper to build them all the same than to start removing wires

 

[DMAN302]

Door lock actuators.

 

[jrichker]

The little box is a circuit breaker for either the power windows or one for the other items.

 

[Saleen0679]

...and DMAN

The metal can is a 20A circuit breaker for the power locks/seats/windows/lumbar.

 

[Deleted member 87397]

Well it only has power locks and windows since it's an 86 and they both work fine so unless I have issues after startup then I'll leave it alone for now I guess. Thanks for the input