Question: Hanging Ground Strap

[DMarusa]

I just replaced my 6-speed reverse switch (what a job), and I noticed a long thin copper ground strap hanging loose from what looks like under the battery area down inbetween the exhaust and the clutch slave line. I read on another forum that this is the ground to the ECM and should be mounted to the side of the bell housing. My question is, could driving without this ground for so long have caused any damage? I bought this care about three months ago at 85K miles. The previous owner had transmission work receipts, but there are no details about the work. It may have been disconnected for 20K miles or more. Thanks in advance.

 

[gmjunkie]

I just replaced my 6-speed reverse switch (what a job), and I noticed a long thin copper ground strap hanging loose from what looks like under the battery area down inbetween the exhaust and the clutch slave line. I read on another forum that this is the ground to the ECM and should be mounted to the side of the bell housing. My question is, could driving without this ground for so long have caused any damage? I bought this care about three months ago at 85K miles. The previous owner had transmission work receipts, but there are no details about the work. It may have been disconnected for 20K miles or more. Thanks in advance.

You've probly not hurt anything,but I'm amazed that you don't have some sort of electrical problems!!


Hook it back up!~!!

 

[XLR8]

GMJunkie chased electrical problems in a C4 struck by lightning awhile back... so there's not much about the C4 system he doesn't know. He'll steer you right.

I just wanted to say hi and welcome you to the
Enjoy your stay with us!
Jane Ann

 

[John Robinson]

As XLR8 said GMJunkie is well grounded in c4 grounds. In fact I don't think there is anything about the c4 he hasn't fixed or helped hundreds of us with his advice. Welcome aboard

 

[boomdriver]

I just replaced my 6-speed reverse switch (what a job), and I noticed a long thin copper ground strap hanging loose from what looks like under the battery area down inbetween the exhaust and the clutch slave line. I read on another forum that this is the ground to the ECM and should be mounted to the side of the bell housing. My question is, could driving without this ground for so long have caused any damage? I bought this care about three months ago at 85K miles. The previous owner had transmission work receipts, but there are no details about the work. It may have been disconnected for 20K miles or more. Thanks in advance.

No worries....if its the strap, thats just s frame to block connection. The actual ECM ground wire is one of 4 or 5 on a bolt on the block OR the trans bellhousing. DO worry about those...

As far as the strap, reconnect the end to something....block or frame or trans. For those that worry about this, you can easily add a battery cable from the batt post to the exhaust manifold bolt, or to a frame bolt along the steering shaft. I have a HD cable from batt to the block and a smaller wire from batt to frame. Also added grounds (extensions) for various sensors that grounded thru screw threads ( some with teflon tape) and ran them all to clean accessable locations close to the battery.