MPD47

Thankfully I havent been driving around, but while working on my wiring today I noticed that the insulation on my main ground was pretty cracked. So I decided to pull it out and have a look at it. The condition pictured is what it looked like when I got it out of my car. Definitely not safe to drive around on. So I guess I'll be making up a few ground wires for the 944's sitting in my driveway.

streckfu's

That's what mine looked like when I pulled it. It was in terrible condition.

Perry 951

Pretty typical. The one to watch for is the positive line. Double check that it's not in the same condition while you are there.

MPD47

I did, thanks for the suggestion though Perry

Yabo

What exactly is cracked insulation and/or no insulation on a ground wire actually going to do thats wrong? Ground more? Some ground wires aren't even shielded in my expereince. As long as the terminal ends are clean, and it doesnt run near any unshielded power wires (where it is unshielded), it should be fine.

AndyK

Ahhh...where are these grounds?? What does a worn ground cable do to performance, lighting, etc? I'm ignorant!!

kcryan

Hey mike, i got a question for you, im in rochester also and im looking at a 944 (earlier NA) and wondering how bad you think it would be with good snows in our winters?

MPD47

I used to drive my 951 all winter long, it was tons of fun!

triscadek

With good tires it's not bad at all in the snow...to a certain depth.

XxKHxX

Im pretty sure my 84' 944 doesnt have its main ground wire covered with any protective rubber or insulation....should i leave it like that?

wombat7

Mine isn't covered with any insulation or anything either...

cjeckert

I think the rule of thumb is pretty much anything is better then the stock grounds, and its not to difficult to pick up some 4 gage welding wire and terminals and make new ones. Your lights gauges pretty much everything will work better.

User 41221

The series I 944's ('83-85.5) did not have an insulated ground wire for either the battery ground or chassis to engine ground. The series II car ('85.5+) did have insulated ground wires.

The main problem with ground wires is that over time, the resistance in the cable will go up. And as Perry can attest, unattended power cables, particularly the one that runs down to the starter, insulation cracks can lead to the hot lead grounding out, causing electrical component damage and possibly fire.

Regards,

yellowline

Earlies ground to the battery box by the firewall. No issue with rubbing.

I'm going to look at my positive cable, though. Good idea.

shortyboy

ha,my 83' 944 doesnt even have its cover on the wiring,i guess ill swap my 951 over and make a new harness for the 951.