CrazyDude

Hi folks,

I am growing weary of the mangled ends of my battery cables in my 91 NA, and I'd like to replace them. They cause a fair number of issues with not getting good contact to the battery terminal posts, and are almost un-tighten-able anymore.

It looks like both the the main battery cables go into a wrapped harness, so I wanted to get some input before I start cutting that apart to extricate the cables to swap them out.

I "should" know this, since I ripped the engine and harness out and put it all back together at one point, but that was 9 years ago now!
Anyhow: what are the terminal points of the main battery cables? And do I stand a chance of being able to separate them without needing to unravel my whole harness?

jdonnell

iTrader: (1)

I did both my 88 and 90 RX7 by unraveling the existing harness and removing the OEM cables. I did see where some people left the OEM cables in place and ran cables exterior to the harness, but I figured I'd do it right. There is a ground bracket on the inside driver's side fender well that you'll have to unbolt (10mm?). I replaced the wires with #4 gauge marine cables. It was nice because the marine store, West Marine, had a giant cable crimper you can use. I ran the battery cable to starter and negative cable to engine block using the transmission bell housing bolt. In all there was nothing difficult, but it was time consuming!

CrazyDude

Ah, sweet, that makes it pretty clear.
About The "ground bracket", I can clearly see it, but I haven't torn apart the harness yet (daily driver!), so I can't tell exactly what's connected in there. Will I need to strip back the cable there to make contact with the bracket, so it grounds into that panel?
The replacement battery cable, which is supposed to be application specific (at least according to RockAuto...) has an extra lead coming off the clamp terminal, a small wire with a bullet connector; I wonder if I am supposed to run my own wire to that location instead?

jdonnell

iTrader: (1)

I just took out my 2 cables in preparation for removing the engine. I ran (+) red from battery post directly to starter, and (-) black directly from battery post to engine block-tranny mating point. There is a wire I did run from the fuse box to battery (small diameter red wire in picture), and a large ground to strut tower (see picture). I just cant remember what else was contained in the harness when unraveling it--I don't remember any huge surprises though, except it took forever.

CrazyDude

Ah, thanks. That looks great; those pictures will be a nice reference.
That's all so clean ... my engine bay is all screwed up and dirty in comparison!