Where are the engine grounds
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
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Where are the engine grounds
I have a 2000 F150 Lariat. I changed the ground cable from the battery to the block and block to the frame. Both attach to the post above the starter. Are there any other grounds from the engine to the frame or body that I'm missing/can't see? I can't figure out why my battery light seems to be intermittent, and today it finally went off when I hit a bump. Then when I hit the brakes it came back on. It seems like a short, and everything else has been replaced. Thanks
Don
Don
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,200
Likes: 39
From: Easton, Pa.
The battery charge light is powered from battery through the ignition switch.
For it to light either the alternator must be up to speed and turn the light off (opens it's ground) or the alternator is stopping it's output or there is a rub through ground on the lead between the alternator and the dash lamp.
I would check the alternator plug up first then be sure the alternator is good then for a lead grounding out.
If the alternator is old, it often has wear such that the brushes can't follow the commutator or are worn to short.
My feeling is it's not the grounds you were chasing.
Good luck.
For it to light either the alternator must be up to speed and turn the light off (opens it's ground) or the alternator is stopping it's output or there is a rub through ground on the lead between the alternator and the dash lamp.
I would check the alternator plug up first then be sure the alternator is good then for a lead grounding out.
If the alternator is old, it often has wear such that the brushes can't follow the commutator or are worn to short.
My feeling is it's not the grounds you were chasing.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
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I'm on my 3rd alternator in 2 months. I've traced all the wires I could find. I figured maybe I had a ground wire missing, but I checked again. All of my connections, and wires show no resistance anywhere. As of yesterday, the light has become more predictable. It comes on and then a minute down the road, it goes off. It started that just before a new battery install. Nothing changed. I give up on this problem.
Don
Don
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,200
Likes: 39
From: Easton, Pa.
Don,
you have to review how the lamp is lighted in the last post and go about it from that stand pont.
Either the alternator stops charging to light the lamp or a false ground is getting on the lamp lead between the alternator and the dash.
To see if the alternator actually stops charging, you need a voltmeter or LED stick plugged into the cigar lighter socket to see it happen.
If yes, then you know the alternator has some issue.What you would see is the voltage drop from about 14.5+/- to about 12 volts +/-.
If no, then the false ground is the cause of the lamp lighting.
It's really no more complicated than that.
Good luck.
you have to review how the lamp is lighted in the last post and go about it from that stand pont.
Either the alternator stops charging to light the lamp or a false ground is getting on the lamp lead between the alternator and the dash.
To see if the alternator actually stops charging, you need a voltmeter or LED stick plugged into the cigar lighter socket to see it happen.
If yes, then you know the alternator has some issue.What you would see is the voltage drop from about 14.5+/- to about 12 volts +/-.
If no, then the false ground is the cause of the lamp lighting.
It's really no more complicated than that.
Good luck.