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Wiring harness grounding straps? Need asap.

  • Thread starter Thread starter 281pony
  • Start date Start date Oct 12, 2009

281pony

Active Member
Aug 31, 2003
2,681
2
46
Oly, WA
Oct 12, 2009
#1
  • Oct 12, 2009
  • #1
on my notch i just got, the wiring harness is all hidden/tucked away. the straps that bolt to each side of the block do not reach.

(on timing chain cover i believe. just infront of the oil filter and same relative spot on opposing side of block)

these are necessary correct? im looking to make some extensions at work today. are they aluminum or steel anyone know? should i just use some of that ribbon braided strap and bolt it to the strap then up to the block?
 

ID89GT

10 Year Member
May 26, 2008
1,659
18
49
Spokane Valley, WA
Oct 12, 2009
#2
  • Oct 12, 2009
  • #2
I beleive the ground going right before the oil filter by the timing cover is the ground for the starter.
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
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234
Dublin GA
Oct 12, 2009
#3
  • Oct 12, 2009
  • #3
Grounds are important to any electrical system, and especially to
computer controlled engines. In an automobile, the ground is
the return path for power to get back to the alternator and battery.


1.) The main power ground is from engine block to battery: it is
the power ground for the starter & alternator.

2.) The secondary power ground is between the back of the
intake manifold and the driver's side firewall. It is often missing or
loose. It supplies ground for the alternator, A/C compressor
clutch and other electrical accessories such as the gauges.
Any car that has a 3G or high output current alternator needs
a 4 gauge ground wire running from the block to the chassis
ground where the battery pigtail ground connects.

The 3G has a 130 amp capacity, so you wire the power side
with 4 gauge wire. It stands to reason that the ground side
handles just a much current, so it needs to be 4 gauge too.

The picture shows the common ground point for the battery & extra 3G
alternator ground wire as described above in paragraph 2. A screwdriver
points to the bolt that is the common ground point.
The battery common ground is a 10 gauge pigtail with the computer ground
attached to it.

Picture courtesy timewarped1972


Correct negative battery ground cable.


3.) The computer has its own dedicated power ground that comes off the ground pigtail
on the battery ground wire. Due to it's proximity to the battery, it may become
corroded by acid fumes from the battery.
In 86-90 model cars, it is a black cylinder about 2 1/2" long by 1" diameter with a black/lt green wire.
In 91-95 model cars it is a black cylinder about 2 1/2" long by 1" diameter with a black/white wire.
You'll find it up next to the starter solenoid where the wire goes into the wiring harness.

4.) The O2 sensor heaters have their own ground (HEGO ground)
coming from the computer. This is different and separate from
the O2 sensor ground. It is an orange wire with a ring terminal
on it. It is located in the fuel injector wiring harness and comes out
under the throttle body. It gets connected to a manifold or bolt on
back of the cylinder head.
 
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