Engine Ground Question
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Various accessories and systems that ground to the frame would have limited function in any.
What problems are you having?
It's always a good idea to check and clean all grounds replacing the cables when needed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
I was missing my engine ground cable for a while. It must have been grounding through the exhaust system because after I put headers on the car I began to have problems. The car was hard to start or wouldn't crank at all as if the battery was dead. Someone on the Forum suggested checking my engine to chassis ground cable. I installed a new one (block to motor mount on pass side) and haven't had any problem since then.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Its only a 5 minute fix so go ahead and make sure its good. A good test is stick a voltmeter between the intake manifold and car frame and have someone start it. The reading should be under .25 volts. That is the voltage drop across the engine ground system.
The main ground is connected to the passenger side motor mount on the frame, and on the starter bracket and it is supposed to carry the current for the starter. It is very close to the exhaust manifold so it gets cooked sometimes. There is annother ground strap on the back of the passenger head to the stud on the firewall, it carries the wiper motor, blower motor, ignition etc..
The main ground is connected to the passenger side motor mount on the frame, and on the starter bracket and it is supposed to carry the current for the starter. It is very close to the exhaust manifold so it gets cooked sometimes. There is annother ground strap on the back of the passenger head to the stud on the firewall, it carries the wiper motor, blower motor, ignition etc..
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Cameron Park CA
I've had problems with starting and sometimes when I turn the key over the engine doesn't crank at all it sometimes takes a couple of tries to get the engine to crank. After reading the responses it sounds like that could be my problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Could be. While your in there take a good look at the battery to frame connection, battery cable to starter connection and both battery connections. Might as well eliminate all the possibilities. Once done if it still acts up. make a test light with some wire and a brake light bulb. Run it inside or just tape to the windshield. Connect 1 wire to the START wire on the starter and the other to ground. The light should light up EVERY time you hit the key. If the light lights and the starter doesn't kick in the solenoid has a problem
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
I was missing my engine ground cable for a while. It must have been grounding through the exhaust system because after I put headers on the car I began to have problems. The car was hard to start or wouldn't crank at all as if the battery was dead. Someone on the Forum suggested checking my engine to chassis ground cable. I installed a new one (block to motor mount on pass side) and haven't had any problem since then.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
I just went through this. A $5 ground strap solved all. Since almost everything was grounded to the frame, it all worked ok, cept the starter, which was grounded to the block. The limitted ground made it crank slowly and most times not at all. Made it seem like the starter and/or battery was going dead. Funny, it wasn't a problem before, but surfaced after I yanked the motor out, rebuilt it, and put it back together.
Either way, it's really cheap, takes 2 min to install and can only do good for you.
C
Either way, it's really cheap, takes 2 min to install and can only do good for you.
C
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Cameron Park CA
Ok I replaced the engine ground and solved my slow start problem. The ground that I pulled off the car was in real bad shape, it was split open and missing half the casing and it just about crumbled in my hand when I bent it. Thanks to everyone who replied to my post and thanks for all the great advice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Yep, thats from being so close to the exhaust. I don't know what rocket scientist at GM thought that was a good idea. I rerouted mint to the starter mount bolt and the brake line clamp on top of the frame, no where even close to the exhaust