Why wont my car ground properly?

[Matthew Goeke]

I laugh when I read some instructions tell you that over 10 feet you need 00 gauge wire. BMW have been using 4 gauge wire from the battery in the trunk to the starter in the engine compartment for years. I have the battery in my trunk and use 4 gauge wire to the remote solenoid and 4 gauge wire from the solenoid to the starter. When you use a household 240 extension do they use a heavier gauge the longer the extension is?

Ive heard people go crazy for that wire that bmw uses, everyone is trying to buy it to relocate their battery in 240s and stuff

 

[drogg1]

Ive heard people go crazy for that wire that bmw uses, everyone is trying to buy it to relocate their battery in 240s and stuff

Those people are dumb.

 

[Matthew Goeke]

Those people are dumb.

possibly, i dont really mess with bmw's so i dont care for it

 

[pontiacgp]

Ive heard people go crazy for that wire that bmw uses, everyone is trying to buy it to relocate their battery in 240s and stuff

all they have to is to go to a BMW dealer to buy $30 of wire for a $150

 

[dave_s1987]

maybe the starter is bad? i would take it out and test it, it could be alot of things like maybe even your ignition switch

The starter is good and it bench tests fine. I removed it and hooked up all the wiring from the car so I could fully test it without being mounted to the block. Only time it will engage is when it's grounded to itself though

 

[Matthew Goeke]

The starter is good and it bench tests fine. I removed it and hooked up all the wiring from the car so I could fully test it without being mounted to the block. Only time it will engage is when it's grounded to itself though

Hmm maybe it could be something with the key or switch, im not really a wiring expert so ill just leave it at this but i would check the ignition switch next since you did all of the grounds

 

[pontiacgp]

The starter is good and it bench tests fine. I removed it and hooked up all the wiring from the car so I could fully test it without being mounted to the block. Only time it will engage is when it's grounded to itself though

have you got power on the purple wire when you turn the key to start......and you have the purple wire on the S terminal and not the I if it has one.

 

[somaphox]

this is just my opinion and it may or may not be correct but the battery being grounded to the frame instead of the block might be an issues,id imagine if it works grounded to itself that the starter is attached to the block thus grounding the block should ground the starter as well.the way you have it set up where the ground travels from the battery to the frame then to the block may not be giving it a good ground

 

[dave_s1987]

maybe the starter is bad? i would take it out and test it, it could be alot of things like maybe even your ignition switch

The starter is good and it bench tests fine. I removed it and hooked up all the wiring from the car so I could fully test it without being mounted to the block. Only time it will engage is when it's grounded to itself though

this is just my opinion and it may or may not be correct but the battery being grounded to the frame instead of the block might be an issues,id imagine if it works grounded to itself that the starter is attached to the block thus grounding the block should ground the starter as well.the way you have it set up where the ground travels from the battery to the frame

Yeah I think you are right.

this is just my opinion and it may or may not be correct but the battery being grounded to the frame instead of the block might be an issues,id imagine if it works grounded to itself that the starter is attached to the block thus grounding the block should ground the starter as well.the way you have it set up where the ground travels from the battery to the frame then to the block may not be giving it a good ground

Yeah I'm thinking it's gotta be the setup I have as well. Since the ground works when it's on the starter mount I am going to leave it on the starter mount when I re install the starter tomorrow. I'll just put one of the mounting bolts through it and call it a day. I just finish making myself a longer cable. I'm also going to buy a better grounding strip to ground the block to the frame.

Does it have to be on the actual block or can sand down a spot intake or cylinder head and ground from there?

 

[somaphox]

The starter is good and it bench tests fine. I removed it and hooked up all the wiring from the car so I could fully test it without being mounted to the block. Only time it will engage is when it's grounded to itself though



Yeah I'm thinking it's gotta be the setup I have as well. Since the ground works when it's on the starter mount I am going to leave it on the starter mount when I re install the starter tomorrow. I'll just put one of the mounting bolts through it and call it a day. I just finish making myself a longer cable. I'm also going to buy a better grounding strip to ground the block to the frame.

Does it have to be on the actual block or can sand down a spot intake or cylinder head and ground from there?

personally id attach at the block,generally cast iron and good for that sort of thing.if your intake is cast iron it might work as well but then you have a huge wire attached to your manifold...id imagine it would look funky.could also take an exhaust manifold bolt out and use that

another thought get a appropriate sized endless stud and two nuts and washers,