loose ring terminal near starter motor

[Guest otchie1]

After steadily worsening starting where the starter turns without engaging for longer and longer periods (1989 2.5TD), I had a look to see what was involved and felt a loose ring terminal (black cable) just flapping about in the breeze.

The motor is still on the vehicle as the top exhaust clamp bolt is just bound to snap and I've not got a spare to hand, so I can't see it properly.

Feels like an earth cable...certainly seems to be bolted straight to the block...is it supposed to be a parallel earth path for the starter or is it what passed for an earth strap in 1989? Seems short as well...might fit to the back of the solenoid but wouldn't stretch to a starter mounting bolt.

Certainly the starter has its power lead and exciter (spade plug) on.

I was hoping it would be an obvious earth fault.

Any guesses as to where it's fallen off from?

[Les Henson]

There's a choice of 3-different earth locations -

Chassis to one of the starter motor bolts.

Block to the rear of the starter.

Earth cable directly from battery to one of the PTO cover bolts.

If the hole in the eye of the cable is 8mm, then it should go to the rear of the starter - if it's a 10mm hole, then it should go to one of the starter bolts.

Les.

[Guest otchie1]

There's a choice of 3-different earth locations -

Chassis to one of the starter motor bolts.

Block to the rear of the starter.

Earth cable directly from battery to one of the PTO cover bolts.

If the hole in the eye of the cable is 8mm, then it should go to the rear of the starter - if it's a 10mm hole, then it should go to one of the starter bolts.

Les.

They should bottle you and sell by the quart Les.

8mm is what I would have guessed by feel, and a missing earth would account for the dodgy throw.

I'll get a new bolt for the clamp tomorrow and hopefully all will be fixed.