2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Ground wire melted!!

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Old Mar 12, 2003 | 08:22 PM
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Ground wire melted!!

I replaced the ground wire today...well one of the many. Looks like this ones is all melted! WOuld the alternator charging at 15 be a problem? Due to the voltage regulator? its the ground wire that sits just underneath the VIN number. Any help would be appreciated, as always

Thanks, Evan
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Old Mar 12, 2003 | 10:14 PM
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bump.....too many noobs on the forum
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Old Mar 12, 2003 | 11:32 PM
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Bad engine ground. probably the one side just infront of the oil filter.

The one that melted was the last one still conducting so it fried.

Replace all of them including the one from the battery to the body.
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Old Mar 12, 2003 | 11:44 PM
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Thats what i'm doing right now I replaced that fried one with an 8 guage wire.

And i have one sitting beside me and i'm going to ground it from the battery - to just below the headlight wall.

And if i have enough wire i am going to make one from the alternator adjust screw to the body as well Then my car wont be acting shitty

Thank you ice mark. That was the best thing i've heard all day!

Cheers. Evan
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Old Mar 13, 2003 | 12:05 AM
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Ah.. you would be surprised at how much better your car will run if you have good grounds.

One of my pet peves is that people will spend Thousands on engine and exhaust mods and never replace the undersized factory ground wires that were weak when the car was new.

I am sure you will be much happier with new grounds.

And don't forget an extra 4 awg ground wire from the battery negitive to the car body. That will help with any aftermarket stereo or lights (only as much power can get out, as can get back in through the ground path).
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Old Mar 13, 2003 | 01:16 AM
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Alright, thanks alot! I got 2 grounds now. And the Alt charges at 15 at idle!

My little alternator pushed 83 amps pretty good for a 70 amp!

But about the one in front of the oil filter. I can only see one which is a bolt holding down what looks to be a piece of tin which meets up with the Bellhousing of the tranny. And the wire that comes out of a little black piece of rubber looks like its about 60 gauge and it goes into another connector which hooks up with a wire (connector) which looks like its about 12 gauge. That hooks up into more wires. I'm really wondering if this is a ground??? Sorry its so big but that was a friends Digi cam otherwise i would have taken a picture.

I will add some more grounds tomorrow.
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Old Mar 13, 2003 | 01:48 AM
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Okay i found out my previous statement was very wrong. I couldn't not edit it because the time was up.

But i'm learning on where the main ground is...
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Old Mar 13, 2003 | 05:27 AM
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is there a writeup anywhere that pertains to doing a grounding job on our rx7's?
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Old Mar 13, 2003 | 07:11 AM
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The :black rubber thinggy" by the oil filter is a cap for the oil pressure gauge.

Make sure when you redo the main ground from the battery to the engine : To make sure the lug by the lower strut tower is cleaned of corrosion and the mating area on the body is shiney metal also.
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Old Mar 13, 2003 | 08:55 AM
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I one time added an extra ground wire (think it was 4 gauge cause i had tons of it) from the battery to the car body. That night, on the way to a friends, all my lights shut off (interior and exterior) but my car was still going normal. I bugged out, and after i shut the car off then back on everything worked again. I took that extra groudn off the next day, and from there on i never had that prob. Has anyone ever experienced that?

LoS
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Old Mar 13, 2003 | 10:49 AM
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Can't say that i have. Thats really weird LoSrx7.

Thanks Banzai. I still am not quite sure where that main ground is. I will look for it after work or tomorrow (Its Very nasty weather out)

Thanks alot!
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Old Mar 13, 2003 | 10:50 AM
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I dont think there is a write up. But i will be sure to take pictures of what i did and do a write up on it.

Evan
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Old Mar 13, 2003 | 11:05 AM
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there is a write-up somewhere, found it once
not on any mainstream websites, but is an fc3s car
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Old Mar 13, 2003 | 02:39 PM
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dc350, if (aND THATS IF) i REMEBER tonight when I am in the shop I will take a pic of the power harness and show you the main ground locations.. John
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Old Apr 11, 2003 | 09:12 AM
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bump
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Old Apr 11, 2003 | 09:46 AM
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Ok I will try to remember to shoot some pics this weekend. It has been raining a week solid!!!
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Old Apr 14, 2003 | 09:53 AM
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Any luck with the pics?
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Old Apr 14, 2003 | 10:21 AM
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Not yet. Was busy tying up loose ends on the TII
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Old Apr 14, 2003 | 12:23 PM
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I put 4 gauge grounds from the battery to the strut tower, strut tower to the block and battery to the alternator bracket.

A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE.

Idle is rock solid, my air/fuel gauge and interior light started working again, the temp gauge is reading much cooler (either more accurate reading or the car is running cooler). Turbo timer reads about 14 volts at idle and higher when moving.

Total cost: $15 at NAPA.
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Old Apr 14, 2003 | 12:41 PM
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Originally posted by banzaitoyota
The :black rubber thinggy" by the oil filter is a cap for the oil pressure gauge.

You mean the one that lloks like a small rectangular plastic box?

I never figured out what was the purpose of that ground
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Old Apr 14, 2003 | 12:51 PM
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Originally posted by KNONFS
You mean the one that lloks like a small rectangular plastic box?

I never figured out what was the purpose of that ground
Yes that one
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Old Apr 14, 2003 | 12:56 PM
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Pics pics pics!!
Can someone post a pic pointing out some stuff. Thanks.

LoS
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Old Apr 14, 2003 | 12:58 PM
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Originally posted by Icemark
And don't forget an extra 4 awg ground wire from the battery negitive to the car body. That will help with any aftermarket stereo or lights (only as much power can get out, as can get back in through the ground path).

I hate to explain this, but I feel I have to. here goes:

electricity is the flow of electrons from the negative battery terminal to the positive battery terminal. So, really a ground is what supplies the power and the positive wire is what returns the electrons to the battery.

Just thought you guys should know that.
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Old Apr 14, 2003 | 01:03 PM
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Originally posted by ponykiller
I hate to explain this, but I feel I have to. here goes:

electricity is the flow of electrons from the negative battery terminal to the positive battery terminal. So, really a ground is what supplies the power and the positive wire is what returns the electrons to the battery.

Just thought you guys should know that.
So does that mean adding another ground wire is good, or bad? I'm brain dead

LoS
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Old Apr 14, 2003 | 01:26 PM
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I tried to find the post on how to host the pictures in the message, but couldn't find it, so here is the long version.
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