Weird Earthing Braid

[rabowman]

A previous owner had fitted a large eathing braid from one of the wiper motor cover screws to a throttle control mounting bracket on the plenum.

Looks horrible, so I tested for continuity and there is none.

Before I bin it, is there a reason that springs to mind as to why it was fitted?

Thanks
Rob

[ukdj]

No reason for it to be there, unless of course the earth in the wiper motor connector is fubared!

Quick & dirty fix using the engine block which should be earthed to provide the connection via the braid.

Simple test remove it and test the wipers.

[semaj]

Quite common on older style vehicles to run a separate earth off the wiper to stop radio interference. Just a thin gauge wire will do the job, it does not mean the wiper motor is duff.

[taylormj4]

Maybe the wiper motor was running slow and someone fitted it hoping to reduce the loop impedance of the circuit and get more volts at the wiper terminals.

[rabowman]

Could be...but if you put a meter from the back of the motor where the two bolts are, and then onto the bracket where the throttle cable return spring is by the plenum, there is no earth between the two.
Weird !!

[taylormj4]

rabowman said:

Could be...but if you put a meter from the back of the motor where the two bolts are, and then onto the bracket where the throttle cable return spring is by the plenum, there is no earth between the two.
Weird !!

By meter, I presume you mean ohmmeter. If that is the case, the joints made would appear to be poor.
It's not supposed to be there anyhow.