[1698]

I noticed the other day that there is an auxilliary wire coming off the negative battery cable that connects to the firewall right behind the battery. My wire was pretty well thrashed and crimped and corroded, so last night I spliced in some new wire to replace it. The only wire I had at the house was 14GA, which is slightly smaller than the original that it replaced (maybe 10 or 12GA??)

Anyway, I'd just like to know what the purpose of that ground wire is (since the negative cable in itself is a grounding cable) and if using the 14GA will cause any long term problems.

Thanks!

 

[1339]

Short term, no, long term, I would use at least a 10 ga wire. That wire, and the one from the
dist to the firewall, are essential for the computer, and other items to rum properly. Otherwise
you get into a ground loop situation and things can run haywire. Bad grounds have been
the cause of many problems on Zuks.

 

[2949]

Notice that the ground wire you are referring to is the only ground wire between the battery and the body. The other ground wire goes to the engine block and is sized for the starter current. All of the current for everything but the starter (includng the distributor) flows through that wire between the battery and the firewall. Don't use a smaller wire, esspecially if you have added lights, amps, or other current hungry accessories. Go bigger.

In addition, you should add a ground to the frame, as there is no solid frame ground from the factory.

 

[CrowHorse]

In reply to:

In addition, you should add a ground to the frame, as there is no solid frame ground from the factory.

[/ QUOTE ]

Very good advice! I've cleaned all grounds, added heavier gauge cable to replace the original bat to firewall ground,replaced with 10ga, wire the dizzie to firewall ground, extra ground from frame to body and motor to frame....
No goofy ground problems now....