Member Since: 30 Nov 2019
Location: south newton
Posts: 375
battery earth cable
hi
I wish to fit an isolation switch to my d3 via the earth on the battery,my problem is that the earth connector is so tight to reach the battery terminal and so tight up against the bulkhead and has over the years been chaffing the main wiring loom across the bulk head it is practicable impossible to fit the isolation switch,i have removed the battery and have started to remove the main fuse box as the earth is bolted to the chassis by the right side of the fuse box,i can see it clearly and is an L shape and runs along the bulkhead to the battery terminal a distance of no more then say 15 inches.
my question is how do I remove the rest of the fuse box to be able to undo the retaining bolt which incidentally has no corrosion and can I replace the earth lead with a much longer one so as not to route it by the main loom but lower down and back up to the battery terminal or failing that can I buy a new earthing cable and make a new earth connection somewhere else on the chassis .
hope this is understandable and I could get some pictures to show tomorrow or later the reason being is I have just come out of hospital with pneumonia and allowed only half an hour a day to tinker till I get somewhat better.
the battery is brand new and will go flat after a week and I am 100% sure I have a parasitic drain so until I get time to do a complete check via complete shutdown and individual fuse check this is the option I have I have asked my son to help me do.
I have looked and used search on the site but found no required information
any advice would be helpful thank you.
pete
15th Mar 2020 7:16 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10751
I didn’t think u needed to remove fusebox go get to the earth
15th Mar 2020 8:02 pm
Trucks
Member Since: 30 Nov 2019
Location: south newton
Posts: 375
I will post some pictures today,maybe I have to up through the wing and unbolt it there ,anything you can add to the lengthening of the cable or replacing it with a new one and earthing it elsewhere on the chassis.
thanks
pete
16th Mar 2020 9:33 am
Globetrotter448
Member Since: 21 Mar 2017
Location: Londonderry NSW
Posts: 1822
It should be the correct length unless someone has changed it. Loosen the bolt and see if you can move it.
17th Mar 2020 9:04 am
Trucks
Member Since: 30 Nov 2019
Location: south newton
Posts: 375
Click image to enlarge
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Hi as you see from the pictures the cable is attached to the right of the fuse box in an inaccessible place for removal
The battery fitment end has a strange connection and catches the wiring loom.
You have to place the battery at an angle fit the earth then gently edge the battery back unti the earth reaches the loom then prize up the loom which is practically near impossible and then worry about damaging any loom wires.
then settle the battery in place.
I am sure this is not right.
So therefore i can not fit the battery isolation switch I need to do as there is no room.
So hence making or using a longer earth cable and earthing out somewhere else on the truck was an idea.
Lastly as I can not fit the isolation switch to stop the slow battery drain I have removed the red positive cable that goes to the main fuse box and left the main positive connector on the battery,and yes I am well aware of the dangers of shorting it out and made it secure .
will this suffice untill I get well enough(could be another two or three months ) to check out where the battery drain Is coming from.
Pete
I'd be tempted to remove the ty-wrap and some of the tape and look in the damaged bit for insulation breaks on the wires.
17th Mar 2020 12:37 pm
Trucks
Member Since: 30 Nov 2019
Location: south newton
Posts: 375
Thanks for the reply
I am planning to do that when well enough as I suspect that's where the battery drain is, but saying that there is no problems with the car whatsoever,no warning lights,everything works as it should fuel consumption is good,starts perfectly whatever the weather day in and day out over the winter.
(Obviously when the battery is good(new battery in December)
Have you seen a earth terminal such as that one in the picture?that's the problem with it, with the odd bit sticking out that gets in the way and hits the loom, and the lead is to short to be able to remove the terminal and replace with a standard one.
Any advice on the positive terminal question?
Thanks
Pete.
17th Mar 2020 1:25 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
I would imagine a generic battery clamp with stud, and a new cable with eyelets would be the way to go.
Any half decent garage will be able to make you one up, cable crimps are not that dear, so you could diy.
Member Since: 30 Nov 2019
Location: south newton
Posts: 375
Thanks for your reply
I have looked into doing this and have also searched eBay and indeed I can buy a new lead ready made as you said with standard end and eyelet but I cannot see how to get to the bolt/ nut that is tucked away behind the fuse box as in the picture.
I have asked for some advice on removal of the fuse box but no advice has come forward.
For the most part it is secured by two clips in the front and I can physically move and juggle it about so as to take the picture of the earth lead bolt/ nut but cannot seem to move it sufficient to get at the bolt/nut.
There must be a plug/connection so as to remove it from the loom and lift the top half of the fusebox away with the fuses and relays in tact..
Once this is done it will be a piece of cake to fit a new earth lead.
The other option as I have said already is to do away with it and make a new lead and use a different earthing point on the car.
What do you think
Thanks again
Pete
17th Mar 2020 4:52 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14177
Hi trucks
Does this help unread the fuse box, page 5 and also has pics of how to get the fuse box out
I’ve found using a plastic clip removal tool will help lift the connectors up by putting it underneath the terminals and then off the posts
Hope that helps
Ps, speedy recovery from ur pneumonia, scary as I had that in both lungs some years ago, nothing worse that fighting for breath in icu and those forced air marks , when I came home , I found having a fan on helped , particular at night
Last edited by gstuart on 17th Mar 2020 7:06 pm. Edited 1 time in total
17th Mar 2020 6:54 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14177
Also ref battery cables etc , bought the following tools which helped when I made up new battery leads for various projects , inc the clip tools which make life easier lifting the battery terminals off
Also some links for when I also had a battery drain , inc a video and also the fantastic guide robbie done
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