86 RAM250 - Where is ground?

If you say "under the tires" I'll hunt you down, so help me ... :rolleyes:

OK, I don't know NOTHING from electrical systems. Take that as a given.

It's my understanding that there are TWO significant grounds ... one for the negative battery cable, and one that grounds the engine to the frame. Can anyone tell me WHERE these grounds are located on an '86 225? I have wiring diagrams but they are just schematics and don't tell me where things *are*. I'm assuming the one from the battery is just the cable, running down and connecting to the frame somewhere. Is the engine-to-frame ground a battery-like cable, or one of those flat, woven straps? I don't even know what I'm looking for. :banghead:

IslandLady

Heh heh, does thinking about saying open the door and look down count? :)

It's usually a flat woven strap. The best option would be to go under the vehicle and have a look. The ground from the engine will often go to the frame, but sometimes to the firewall. I don't know for sure on your vehicle.

The negative ground from the battery is like you said, from the negative terminal to the body or frame somewhere. As an extra though you may be able to see the other grounding wire from somewhere near the battery, but perhaps not it's been a long time since I looked at a van.

Nice website, Hawai'i is beautiful. :thumbsup: Haven't been there yet though. :crying:

-edit-
Oh yeah, and as far as not knowing what you're looking for, it's the kind of thing that you'll know what you're looking for when you see it....a cable, probably dirt encrusted, running from nowhere to nowhere.

Thanks, Fred-san. I did find the battery ground, but have yet to locate the "grounding strap". I'm just gonna buy one and connect it someplace appropriate; I'm assuming there's no such thing as "too grounded". I'll also be replacing the battery cables on other advice, although I have no idea how I'm going to "get at" the nether end of the negative battery cable ... I can't even reach it with my fingertips. May have to remove the mysterious "round thing on the driver's side of the engine that isn't an alternator" to get at it.

Glad you enjoyed the website; it's badly in need of updating, but then, so am I!

IslandLady

Thanks, Fred-san. I did find the battery ground, but have yet to locate the "grounding strap". I'm just gonna buy one and connect it someplace appropriate; I'm assuming there's no such thing as "too grounded". I'll also be replacing the battery cables on other advice, although I have no idea how I'm going to "get at" the nether end of the negative battery cable ... I can't even reach it with my fingertips. May have to remove the mysterious "round thing on the driver's side of the engine that isn't an alternator" to get at it.

Glad you enjoyed the website; it's badly in need of updating, but then, so am I!

IslandLady

Sure, thing....

Ahh, so you haven't yet removed the "engine shroud"...that would explain some things. It should have only a couple clips to hold it on; easy to get off, but a bit of a bear to put back on and get aligned properly.

Ahh, so you haven't yet removed the "engine shroud"...that would explain some things.


Nope, did that, if "engine shroud" is the big plastic hump in the cab that covers the back of the engine. I finally removed some hoses from the back side of what I THINK is the A/C power unit, and could reach the grounding cable (with difficulty), but da**ed if I can break the bolt loose; and no room for a breaker bar or cheater. I'm getting seriously annoyed. *sigh*
IslandLady

I imagine that since that strap has been on there since the early 80's in a humid environment, it's probably stuck very well. Time to find some penetrating oil (Coca Cola works well also).

You said that you can't get a cheater bar on it; would an extention allow you to get to it?

I use static straps. Look at this.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/155239march5th.jpg