Negative battery cable question

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Jan 9, 2005 | 12:11 PM

BroncJMU

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Negative battery cable question

What is the second small wire that joins into my negative battery cable where it attaches to the battery terminal? I just got a replacement neg. cable, and it does not have the adapter that the old one has. Im going to solder it, but im just curious.

Thanks

Jan 9, 2005 | 12:29 PM

D. DeBoer

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From: NE TN

Someone has used this for a ground. you can purchase cables with numerous secondary connectors on them. Check your repair manuals wiring schematic and that should help.

Jan 9, 2005 | 02:38 PM

nickmobile67

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From: East Coast

My 86 has that from the factory. I think it's a ground for the computer. I ordered the oem style cables from napa and it had the lead, but no connector. I spliced my original connector on. Also, midway down it should go to the frame to ground the chassis.

Jan 9, 2005 | 02:47 PM

Holmesuser01

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From: Asheville, NC

My '83 has this 2nd ground wire. It grounds the computer.

Jan 9, 2005 | 07:13 PM

Dungeon_Master

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From: Connecticut

I thought that was ground for the lighting system. I guess you learn something new each day. Or is that just for pre-computer F series.

Jan 10, 2005 | 03:00 PM

BroncJMU

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I failed at soldering the two smaller negative wires. I couldnt find my thin solder, so i tried to use some thicker guage that was much more difficult to work with.

I ended up just braiding them together and wrapping it with electrical tape tightly. ( i know, i know, terrible)

Everything started fine when i reconnected. the only problems i had was my CD player cut out 2 times for approx. 2 seconds each time, and my emissions dash light came on twice for a couple seconds.

I then drove the truck for about 20 miles with zero problems. Should i go back and actually solder the connection?

Thanks