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Anyone know what are these two wires/connectors that connect to the negative battery cable? The wires go into the wire loom in front of the radiator and I don’t know what they connect to. I need to replace my cable and, of course, I can’t find one with these connections. This is on my 87 F150 4.9 manual.
One grounds the ECM, I don't recall what the other grounds to. I don't think you can buy a cable that includes them anymore, you'll have to cut those off of the old one, and connect them to the new one on your own.
One grounds the ECM, I don't recall what the other grounds to. I don't think you can buy a cable that includes them anymore, you'll have to cut those off of the old one, and connect them to the new one on your own.
I would modify the ford wiring in this case, since grounding to the battery from the ECM is not a good hygenic ground. using a body sheet metal(fender, cab,) not in any large ground path that could pull the signals high or low.
I would modify the ford wiring in this case, since grounding to the battery from the ECM is not a good hygenic ground. using a body sheet metal(fender, cab,) not in any large ground path that could pull the signals high or low.
Considering Ford built millions of these trucks like that, I'd say the ground works fine.
Considering Ford built millions of these trucks like that, I'd say the ground works fine.
They also moved it, just like GM did, because dirty grounds and sensitive 5 volt referenced signals where a small change such as engine sensors.
Im not trying to be hostile but its literally something the industry figured out and changed like 30 years ago, my 96 has the ECM ground go to the core support Im pretty sure. that or fender.
consider this: They built millions more this way, and they havent gone back. They also didnt change it for no reason.
I wasn't saying that it was necessarily the greatest setup, but if it's working as is, and you're not having ground issues, I personally don't go changing things just for the sake of changing things. I've been in a number of arguments with other folks in other places over things like Electronic Ignition Vs Breaker Points. I'll toss the Breaker Points in the garbage every single time, Do breaker points work? Sure, I just don't think they're worth the maintenance trouble for sub-par performance, vs a solid state setup. So I'm not opposed to "changing" things that make sense.
This grounding issue feels very much like a splitting hairs thing, based on personal preference. If the truck is otherwise running fine, *I* wouldn't mess with it. Other people can of course do whatever they wish.
That’s a good point, since it is the ground cable couldn’t I just ground them elsewhere? Would the core support be fine since it’s right there?
You probably could. They just need to be grounded. I've never done it, but I don't know of any good reason that you *couldn't* ground them to a different point.
I wasn't saying that it was necessarily the greatest setup, but if it's working as is, and you're not having ground issues, I personally don't go changing things just for the sake of changing things. I've been in a number of arguments with other folks in other places over things like Electronic Ignition Vs Breaker Points. I'll toss the Breaker Points in the garbage every single time, Do breaker points work? Sure, I just don't think they're worth the maintenance trouble for sub-par performance, vs a solid state setup. So I'm not opposed to "changing" things that make sense.
This grounding issue feels very much like a splitting hairs thing, based on personal preference. If the truck is otherwise running fine, *I* wouldn't mess with it. Other people can of course do whatever they wish.
I’m not having a grounding issue per se, it’s just the wire has worn through the insulation between the starter and the frame mount (these are weird cables), so I need to replace the cable but they don’t make them with the two addition ground wires the stock came with. So I’m trying to figure out how to replace the wire and still have grounds for these two. I can’t not mess with it.
That’s a good point, since it is the ground cable couldn’t I just ground them elsewhere? Would the core support be fine since it’s right there?
I would just ensure that your core support doesnt have anything else crazy grounding to it, and that your core support presumably bolts to the frame , you want to verify the frame-to-neg is good(Should be one stock), then you want to make sure you have a good engine to battery still, then you should have engine to fire wall (ground straps)
Then you want to make sure your bed has a ground to the frame (does it use isolators? I think tails ground on it?)
anyway, then there should be some grounds to your fender from battery by the solenoid doodad
Make sure all clean, and you dont have any issues with the alternator case to the bracket(thats how it groounds)
Im not sure what the other one of those connectors are, but yes You wouldnt here was my OEM core support ground LOL. I ended up making a new hole, using a rivnut, and then a a couple washers and a screw , it wasnt pretty but the size demand and having to rig was just lol
be wise to install a ground stud , a conductive finish rivnut, using good hygeine with normal hardware, your choice, just some ideas
If you want to save some money you can buy lugged cables and then use a marine terminal(brass here) for good corrosion resistance. although the wingnuts seen I would be wise to instead have a flange nut in brass
I’m not having a grounding issue per se, it’s just the wire has worn through the insulation between the starter and the frame mount (these are weird cables), so I need to replace the cable but they don’t make them with the two addition ground wires the stock came with. So I’m trying to figure out how to replace the wire and still have grounds for these two. I can’t not mess with it.
exactly, since you have to do something with your cable, that to me meant it was the best time to offer some advice thats good ground hygeine. what kind of connector is it, could you pop it open? if its something you can easily procure more too, id say make a wire with the truck-side of the connector to your core support just to allow you to unplug it for. god knows why! lol
