Earth Straps

[Darren]

I'm having problems starting, I changed the starter motor contacts but it doesn't seem to have fixed the starter working intermitently, I have searched the forum and found mention of a earth strap coming from around the EGR manifold to the body but can't find it, can anyone tell me exactly where it is (ideally a photo) and what it connects so I can check it's not there and replace it. I seem to have lots of current trying to pass through the hydrolic pipe to the steering box, so pretty sure it's an earth issue, just don't know where to replace.
many thanks
Darren

[evildwarf]

Hi best bet is to get a jump start lead and connect from earth to engine to see if thats your problem before getting to techy

[Darren]

thanks for your suggestion, I have tried with a jump lead however the fault is very intermitent and I can't tell if the jump lead is fixing it or it would have started anyway,
I'm going to add a earth cable from near the starter to the body and then I can leave that on and see if it fails to start again, I figure an extra earth can't hurt but I don't want to leave a long jump cable connected under the bonnet incase it gets tangled in something,

I would still really appreciate detail on the earth thats supposed to be somewhere around there to check it.
Darren

[Darren]

problem solved, this afternoon it wouldn't start again put a jump lead to the earth and it did, when I felt the jump lead after it was really hot (cheap jump leads) but atleast now I'm happy it was an earth problem, still can't find the broke one but have added a new one from the air con pulley bracket straight to the battery neg and it now leaps into life.
Cheers for help
Darren

[MattF]

Simple motto with regards to adding ground straps. If there's an unused bolt hole on the block or gearbox, it's a good candidate for an earth strap to the chassis. You can't have too many, so just pop one or more where you can find a fixing point for them.