The negative cable on my iveco turbo daily (diesel) has become detached from sump. It is very difficult to reach original connection. Would it be ok to attach it to somewhere else on the body?
2007-09-08 00:43:59 · 11 answers · asked by maeve k 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
There is no problem with attaching a new negative cable between your engine and the body.
Reading some of the other answers there seem to be some confusion between what you are asking and what people think you are asking.
So, I will try and be clear with my answer to save confusion.
All your vehicle electrics and engine components need an Earth return path to the alternator or battery (for when the engine isn't running)
Your vehicle body/chassis provides the main earthing "bus" - and most components will earth to this via a tag and a special earthing bolt (that removes the paint and give you a good earth connection)
You NEED an earth conection from the battery to the body and ANOTHER to the engine.
Where these connections attach is not important as long as they attach somewhere that will give an excellent electrical connection.
You say your negative has become disconnected from the sump and you want to reattach it to the body? - Even though this reads like you want to replace the wire which USED to connect battery to engine with one that connects battery to body - I hope you have just phrased that badly.
YOU MUST HAVE AN EARTH CONNECTION to your engine.
If you are actually saying can you take the lead which originally went from the sump to the body and attach it from sump to a different part of the body - this is electrically ok HOWEVER - are you doing this because the cable is now shorter than before? - you need the original length of cable to allow for the dynamic movement of the engine - if you use a shorter length of cable it can potentially be ripped out when you start th engine, or accelerate and the engine flexes in it's mounts.
Just go and buy a length of battery cable and replace it, the same length as before.
If you choose to re-route it - make sure you make good electrical connections - clean the surfaces - re-tap threaded holes and remove paint when necessary.
2007-09-08 01:32:54 · answer #1 · answered by filski666 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Does the vehicle still start, I ask this as this may be the earth for the engine, which is insulated from the body by the mountings, is needed to start the engine and to earth the alternator. You may find that the method of fixing the exhaust is giving an earth, however if the exhaust breaks or rusts before this fixing the earth will be destroyed. However the earth can go to anywhere on the engine.
filski666 has the right answer do not try anything else.
2007-09-08 18:58:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi
Yes you can attach an earth anywhere the best place that eradicated starting problems is from one of the starter motor fixing bolts to a strong piece of metal on the bodywork
Use a good sized cable preferably a battery lead or such from the scrapyard
2007-09-08 00:55:40 · answer #3 · answered by Dreamweaver 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Connect it to any body part but be sure to use the same cross section cable as originally used or you could get an overheat problem and start a car fire. Also be sure that the cable has room to move without stress or strain when the engine moves and vibrates. Cover connection point with Vaseline.
2007-09-08 02:34:39 · answer #4 · answered by ANF 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. It should be grounded directly to the engine. Then various ground straps connect and ground the engine to the body of the car. I recommend buying a replacement ground cable designed to replace your current ground cable. It's an easy job and then you'll know it's done right.
2007-09-08 01:04:09 · answer #5 · answered by bobweb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the short answer is no it must be atatched to the engine or gearbox otherwise when you start the car the load from the battery will use whatever is the shotest route for the power surge and that could be somthing that would not carry the power . IE the thottle cable
2007-09-08 04:04:54 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, any spot with clean bare metal. But as there was a lead to the sump (an odd place methinks) you should check that there is a good lead from the bodywork to the engine.
2007-09-08 00:55:48 · answer #7 · answered by outremerknight 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So just how is the starter motor going to get its grounding now? You could be grounding the alternator and starter motor with the throttle cable. After it heats up starts melting and you go to release the throttle and the truck keeps going and you push the throttle again to try to free it up now at wide open throttle and accelerating what do you do? Look for something soft to crash into!!! Do it right that's why the engine is grounded like it is.
2007-09-08 00:56:51 · answer #8 · answered by John Paul 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
NO - the engine has a hot wire running to the starter, you need a ground running to the engine somewhere that it will cause the starter not to melt.
The body has a few grounds already, no need for extras.
Most are mounted to the bolt that holds the alternator.
2007-09-08 01:03:04 · answer #9 · answered by cgriffin1972 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. It must be attached to any place that the engine touches the frame of the vehicle.
2007-09-08 01:02:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋