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Recently me and my dad noticed that my 2017 Corvette Stingray was having an electrical issue that was not allowing the car to start, and potentially draining the battery. I think I found the problem but I am not sure. In the attached pictures, there is a disconnected wire that I believe connects to the battery. If my thinking is correct, how exactly do I reconnect it and could this be what is not allowing the car to turn on?
Is the little black wire with the cover connected or just hanging loose? If it is not connected it should be. It is an important ground wire and will cause a lot of problems if not connected.
Think of it this way. The little black ground wire connection is so important that it was engineered to be directly routed back to the negative terminal instead of the ground signal being routed back through the metal chassis. If I am seeing this properly, the little black wire should be connected.
Is the little black wire with the cover connected or just hanging loose? If it is not connected it should be. It is an important ground wire and will cause a lot of problems if not connected.
Think of it this way. The little black ground wire connection is so important that it was engineered to be directly routed back to the negative terminal instead of the ground signal being routed back through the metal chassis. If I am seeing this properly, the little black wire should be connected.
Wow. Thanks. Crazy to know how simple this was. Would you recommend having a mechanic come and reconnect the ground wire or is it something I can do myself? If I can do it myself, how should I approach it?
You need a ring connector the same as the the blue connector on the negative post. Attach one to the black wire and then attach it to the post with the other blue ring connector. You should be able to easily do that yourself with a crimper and some general tools. Show the photo to anyone at an auto parts store and they will be able furnish what you need with instruction.
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Originally Posted by 76-Vetteman
Is the little black wire with the cover connected or just hanging loose? If it is not connected it should be. It is an important ground wire and will cause a lot of problems if not connected.
Think of it this way. The little black ground wire connection is so important that it was engineered to be directly routed back to the negative terminal instead of the ground signal being routed back through the metal chassis. If I am seeing this properly, the little black wire should be connected.
Originally Posted by 76-Vetteman
You need a ring connector the same as the the blue connector on the negative post. Attach one to the black wire and then attach it to the post with the other blue ring connector. You should be able to easily do that yourself with a crimper and some general tools. Show the photo to anyone at an auto parts store and they will be able furnish what you need with instruction.
Good luck with your repair.
I agree on both counts. That thin black wire can cause a lot of problems if not connected.
The little black wire is called a SENSE wire and it monitors the voltage of the battery which sends this signal to the cars computer telling it the state of charge of said battery. The computer then takes this information and then commands the alternator to adjust its output to keep the battery charged to the proper level.
So you need to replace the broken ring connector and reattach the black wire to the stud on the negative terminal, there is a small post with a nut that it goes on to.
This should solve your issue.
This is also a well know problem because GM made the wire too short and is easily broken off durning battery replacement or service. To prevent this from happening again, always remove the small wire from its stud before you remove the large negative cable.
The "little black wire" is still connected to the battery. It's the one with the blue connector on it. What is the second little black wire for? There is only supposed to be one little black wire. AND, what is the little red wire on the positive terminal? You can see marks where something shorted out on the positive terminal.
It appears the little black wire with the blue connector on it, is an added wire. Yes, the other black wire without a connector on it appears to be the original black wire that needs to be connected to the negative terminal.
The "little black wire" is still connected to the battery. It's the one with the blue connector on it. What is the second little black wire for? There is only supposed to be one little black wire. AND, what is the little red wire on the positive terminal? You can see marks where something shorted out on the positive terminal.
The black wire with the factory covering does not appear to be connected. What is connected is some accessory that goes with the positive wire that has been connected to the fuse block as pointed out by laserdude. Firstly, I would add a terminal end to the factory wire and hook that up separately from the accessory terminal so you can troubleshoot and further issues more easily.
The little black wire is called a SENSE wire and it monitors the voltage of the battery which sends this signal to the cars computer telling it the state of charge of said battery. The computer then takes this information and then commands the alternator to adjust its output to keep the battery charged to the proper level.
So you need to replace the broken ring connector and reattach the black wire to the stud on the negative terminal, there is a small post with a nut that it goes on to.
This should solve your issue.
This is also a well know problem because GM made the wire too short and is easily broken off durning battery replacement or service. To prevent this from happening again, always remove the small wire from its stud before you remove the large negative cable.
Thank you so much. This was very helpful. You guys have really simplified the issue for me.
2017 C7 Corvette Electrical Problems
