Negative battery cable question
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 54
From: Des Moines
Negative battery cable question
I've seen it on dozens of vehicles, but until yesterday when I was cleaning my connection, I never questioned it.
Why do they ground the negative battery cable to the block? I could be wrong, but doesn't the block ground to the frame thru the motor mounts? So why not just ground directly to the frame? Was it just not convenient?
I'm sure there's a reason for it, I'm just not sure why.
Why do they ground the negative battery cable to the block? I could be wrong, but doesn't the block ground to the frame thru the motor mounts? So why not just ground directly to the frame? Was it just not convenient?
I'm sure there's a reason for it, I'm just not sure why.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,966
Likes: 595
From: Greater Austin, Texas
The motor mounts are typically isolated from the frame with rubber, this allows the motor to shake and torque without imparting the same amount of motion to the frame. They run the ground to the block because the starter is on the block and that is the biggest load the battery will typically see on a stock vehicle. There are redundant ground straps that go from the motor to the body or frame or both to complete the circuit for other items that ground to the body/frame.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,966
Likes: 595
From: Greater Austin, Texas
Yeah there's rubber separating the mounts from direct contact w/ the frame, but don't the bolts holding the mounts to the frame create a connection between the two?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
If you do not pull a trailer you do not need the ground to the frame.
It is only there for the trailer an trucks without a rear bumper for the plate light.
The van (E series) do not even have the frame ground stripped area mid-way between the engine and battery.
It is only there for the trailer an trucks without a rear bumper for the plate light.
The van (E series) do not even have the frame ground stripped area mid-way between the engine and battery.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Washington County, Penna
not to be a smart a$$ but isnt that kinda pointless? your grounding the engine to itself ??? as said not trying to be smart, just asking
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
True statement........I had a 85 F-150 the owner "gave up on it" because of electrical problems..............2 new ground straps later, and I am enjoying the $600 the PO put into it in new parts..........cost to me, "come tow it off my property"
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 2
Yeah that could be over kill , but like i said , good grounds are very important , more so with a high performace engine & all the add ons , you would be suprised at what a week ground can do....Lew ....are you sure your not a smart *** LOL
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 2
...Yeah i have had some problems with grounds before & it wasn't the battary grounds , thats why i make sure everthing has a good ground ....
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