Possible battery ground wire issue?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,277
Likes: 32
From: Mission Viejo California
Possible battery ground wire issue?
Hi guys. This started on Saturday. I was working on the car (playing with the tune). I tried to reset the ecu by unhooking the ground wire between times. Upon hooking it back up one time, there was no power. It seems like there must not be a good condition. I loosened the negative terminal, moved it around and got it to work.
Fast forward to yesterday. We were working on the car again and went to start it and there was no power. No door chime, no dome light and no lights in the dash. Everything went dark. I tried to move the ground around several times today and it isn't working at all. The battery still sparks when I connect the terminal, but after that, there is no indication of any power getting to the car.
Is it common to have issues with the ground wire over time? Should I just replace it? Where does the negative off the battery ground to? Maybe it's loose there.
Fast forward to yesterday. We were working on the car again and went to start it and there was no power. No door chime, no dome light and no lights in the dash. Everything went dark. I tried to move the ground around several times today and it isn't working at all. The battery still sparks when I connect the terminal, but after that, there is no indication of any power getting to the car.
Is it common to have issues with the ground wire over time? Should I just replace it? Where does the negative off the battery ground to? Maybe it's loose there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
The main ground wire is just above the oil filter,there are a bunch of wires going to that point for ground.. Also check the ground strap that goes to the frame...You may also want to check the "positive" cable where it hooks into the block behind the battery and check where it connects to the starter..If you have a Factory Service Manual there should be a page showing all the ground points..Check the cables for corrosion, if there is any at all replace with a new cable... WW
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,373
Likes: 2,734
There is one above the filter on the side of the block as well as the one you mention. Sounds like it might be time to remove the battery bolts from the cable ends and clean the terminals. I'd just buy new ST bolts while I was doing it. You FSM will "show all"!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Sometimes battery acid leaks out of the battery terminals and eats up the wire inside the battery cable insulation. You can't see it. Try flexing the battery cable near the lug. If it seems floppy, then that is probably your problem.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,277
Likes: 32
From: Mission Viejo California
Thanks for the info. I just ordered a new battery to ground wire from racetronics. I also ordered their fuel pump kit since my wiring isn't great there either. I'll check the 104 ground and see how things look.
I'm thinking the battery to ground one is causing this problem but I wouldn't be surprised if I have some loose wires on the 104 after reading the thread on the 86 and the input on that thread.
I'm thinking the battery to ground one is causing this problem but I wouldn't be surprised if I have some loose wires on the 104 after reading the thread on the 86 and the input on that thread.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Cliff's got a good point. I have had this happen before. While you are twisting the cables around its probly scraping enough corrosion off to make a connection sometimes. I think the issue will be solved when you replace your cables.Good luck!
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
yep, many yrs ago I replaced a starter, an alternator and a battery.
Damn car still refused to turn over.
Turned out to be a $7 battery cable that had 'rotted' up inside the plastic insulation where it could not be seen or felt......
Started and the battery charged GREAT once I got that cable replaced !
