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Engine Ground

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stob62

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My starter has been acting strangely. I sometimes get a "dead battery click" but it usually turns over after a few attempts. I know a possible reason is a bad ground (in addition to solenoid, starter, etc.). Upon looking, I see that the neg. bat, terminal is property connected to engine buut that there is no ground from engine to body. I see a connection location to the body behind the distributor with a frayed cable end attached. I have no idea how long its been like this. Does this connect to the engine and iif so where? Also, if this is the problem, why intermitant?

Thanks
 
Well I would certainly get the body to engine cable back on it as that cannot help things... for one thing the current may find its own ground (choke cable, speedo cable, other parts that do not appreciate getting red hot while you crank the engine.

Typical connection for the cable is somewhere around the left side motor mount so that is likely what you are seeing -- a TR6 owner will have to tell you exactly what it bolts to.

Poor grounds can be intermitment -- in addition to that cable -- dirty battery posts, paint or grease under the body connection and other ground issues can change with temperature, vibration, current draw etc.

You will also want to verify that your battery is properly charged and being charged as a weak battery can refuse to crank at first, then get stirred up enough to do the job.
 
Get a braded grounding strap to connect the engine to the frame/body and connect it where it works the easiest for you to get it connected. You need this ground even if it is not your starter problem. After the installation of the ground strap, and if the starter continues to act up, rebuild it or replace it. If you have a show car, I would put the ground strap where it was originally (and use an original strap). I am betting the intermittent problem is the solenoid or brushes in the starter. It is rare that the field coils short but that could cause your problem as well.

Your battery may be the problem as well. When they are going bad, sometimes they will give you the juice and sometimes not. Check your battery too.

Why intermittent? If all components are good it may be an intermittent ground. Mechanical contact does not all ways give and electrical contact.
 
The correct grounding strap for a TR-6 has two connections leading from the battery. It bolts to the body in the place you saw your frayed connection, and then continues on to the engine. TRF sells the correct one.

Mark
1970 TR-6
 
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