Alien Earth Strap.

[GV]

Hi guys - when taking out my gearbox I noticed there was an earth strap bolted to the chassis - the thing is I don't where it goes as there is no connection on the gearbox. My thoughts is that it must have bolted to the gearbox mount - any ideas??

[Wedg1e]

I seem to recall that my Tasmin had earth straps across to the seat frame moutings, maybe it's come off there?

[blaineuk]

deffinatly goes on to the gearbox. you can just see it in this picture, near the selector in put.

Edited by blaineuk on Sunday 5th December 22:38

[GV]

Hi Blaine - thanks for the pic - it's got me thinking now...

[jeff m]

I hate to teach anyone to suck eggs but that earth strap is essential not alien. It acts as the return for your starter motor current. if not connected your starter current will make its way back to your battery by either your speedo or accell cable. Neither is good esp on a plastic car.
Anywhere on the bell housing.

ETA Has noone ever seen the smoking dashboard. Earth strap not connected and the outer of the speedo cable making a greasy bad contact and smoking during starter operation. Scares the cr@p out of people until they realise its just one bolt.

Edited by jeff m on Tuesday 7th December 20:10

[GV]

Thanks for the tip - I remembered that I did take it off the gearbox before sending it away for its rebuild....I hate being 50!

[adam quantrill]

I thought the starter motor return was the strap from battery - to the rear of the block?

But you are right - all of these straps are essential (apart maybe from the ones from the front axles to the chassis??) because earthing is an absolute necessity on these cars. Without the gearbox one, the ECU will run funny. Probably.

Oooh - just spotted that exhaust wrap - get rid unless s/s manifolds!

Edited by adam quantrill on Tuesday 7th December 21:59

[Wedg1e]

adam quantrill said:

...all of these straps are essential (apart maybe from the ones from the front axles to the chassis??)

The wishbones and hub assemblies are effectively isolated from chassis by the suspension bush rubbers, so the rotation of the wheels can generate a static charge that might affect one's enjoyment of the light programme on Long Wave

Static may also be the reasoning behind the gearbox earth strap.

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

I've only got the one earth strap on the racer from chassis to block, maybe worth adding a second to the gearbox, just in case the main one breaks, and I don't earth the starting via the ECU loom etc.