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Ground problem
Hey guys,
I have an electrical problem that I can't seem to fix. Car will not start level on the ground: however, if you jack the car up with the floor jack in the rear it fires right. I replaced the ground wire and the battery. I know the car is grounding through my floor jack because if I put a piece of wood on the jack and jack the car up the car will not start. My friend will bring his multi meter to check this weekend but I'm open to all suggestions or experiences. I need to get this car out and enjoy this weather Thanks DK |
does your ground wire go to the frame or the engine block?
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hey Motorhead,
the ground goes to the frame from the battery and from the engine mount to the frame. |
The frame side or the engine side of the engine mount? Does the engine turn over when sitting on its wheels?
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the engine does not turn over when it is level on its wheels. I think the engine side if I understand your question.
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This is very strange, but it's a basic open circuit problem. From what you have told me, the battery ground is the primary suspect (although there are many other possibilities) Quickest way to ck ground circuit is to take a jumper cable and connect it from battery negative post to good clean spot on engine BLOCK, such as bell housing or engine mount bolt. (clean off grease or paint).
Try this first. |
I'll try it in the morning thanks Motorhead got to go to work.
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Put a meter from neg term to a clean frame area should read less then 1 ohm. do the same to engine to frame. The problem could still be on the hot side.
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ground down the paint where the ground cable meets the FRAME and put on a star washerbetween the ground cable and the FRAME.
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Hey Motorhead,
I hooked a cable to the battery ground and ran it to the tranny (didn't have enough cable to do bell house) and the car fired right up on the ground. my battery cable ground must not be grounding on the frame. I'm getting the grinder out. thanks Motorhead, ebustin and ratrodryan I've got to find a good place to mount this ground. |
Dennis:
Evidently your battery ground cable is making connection to the frame but not to the engine. Remember the engine is isolated from the frame by the Rubber engine and transmission mounts. Take your frame/ground cable off and make sure its clean and bare metal. Reinstall it, but add a braided flat cable ( a battery ground strap with "eye" terminal at both ends) to that same connection. Bolt the other end of the strap to a large engine bolt (bell housing, starter mtg, engine side of eng mount, timing chain cover, all will work) Just remember all connections must be metal to metal, no paint allowed. I just realized from your last post, your battery must be in the rear of the car. If this is so, and if your battery ground cable is short and connects to the frame at the rear, then make sure those connections are good, and add a ground cable to the front of the frame and connect other end to engine as previously described. Basic Electricity,Direct Current 101 is herby concluded !! Give a holler if you have further problems. Cheers, Ted |
thanks motorhead,
I put a new ground cable to the engine and frame works great. I just came in from 100 mph and nothing fell off. used a cable off an explorer. Your information was much appreciated. Its nice to be running again. |
Your'e Welcome!!
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Happy your on the ROAD again.....HEY don't put the old cable on the EXP....:LOL:
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Dennis: You stinker, when we talked on the phone, I thought you told me that the engine ground was OK?
Anyhow, glad you got her going again. Boudy |
boudy,
I really thought the dog gone engine ground was o.k. But that's what I get for getting in a hurry and thinking. thanks again guys. |
I think I have no fewer than 10 ground spots on my car (that I'm aware of) You can't have enough ground wires on a fiberglass car.
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