Technical Earthing strap?!

[Susie170911]

So after my post the other day about my 500 cutting out everytime you try to select reverse or touch the brake, the random warning messages its throwing up, etc. I've had the aa out...

AA checked the wiring loom in the rear hatch and found it has been replaced before but couldn't see any problems with it so after about 30mins came to the conclusion the car must have an earthing problem somewhere?! He checked a few earthing points inside the car under the carpets and some in the boot, engine and also disconnected the rear lights. He couldn't find the problem. And said I need an auto electrician to try and find the problem.

So I rang my local one and they are too busy to take it on and suggested the only place that might look at it for me is the fiat garage. Before I go getting the car over to fiat I've checked on here again and wondering could it be the earthing strap?

Now I would like to say surely if it was the earthing strap the AA man would have seen this when looking in the engine?! But having read some posts I'm beginning to wonder if it's worth a check myself before deciding whether to get the car to fiat (it's currently not drivable) or to give up on it and just get rid as I had electrical problems this time last year when the blue and me went and it had to go to fiat then.

Any suggestions would be great? Also I really don't like messing with cars too much myself but for my own piece of mind I would like to check the earthing strap myself just to be sure it's not an easy fix before going to fiat or getting rid. Can anyone tell me where the earthing strap is on a 61 plate start stop car. Also is there anywhere else you would suggest checking, thanks. Pics to help would be great if you have any. Thanks again.

 

[portland_bill]

The main earth cable, form battery to body and engine, is usually an aluminium core, not the expected copper. They corrode internally, sometimes breaking, or just creating a high resistance. This cannot be seen from a visual inspection, as both ends will look fine.
Usual test it to by-pass it with a jump cable, and see if the problem is 'fixed', but this needs care, not to allow temporary cables to detach, or foul anything.
Another test is to flex it, to see if the problem can be created. Again, care is needed, don't get caught by moving parts, or hot parts. Practice with engine off and cold, before trying with engine running. Have someone else nearby in case of accidents. (Always a good idea whenever working on a vehicle)

A Fiat dealer will be more expensive, and probably less likely to have seen such a problem. An intermittent fault, taken to a dealer, is a recipe for an empty bank balance. Last resort.

 

[chris3234]

Do you have jump cables?

If so try one from the battery negative to a sold metal part of the engine

 

[Baglady1990]

If it was my car my first pint to check would be the earth strap gearbox to chassis ..if it’s still got it plastic shroud it may have been overlooked by the AA man
Located under the slave cylinder (below battery tray) but as Chris has posted a jump cable would tell you straight away if it’s an earthing issue

 

[jackwhoo]

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It should look similar to this , appears Fiat upgraded to copper and a lose plastic sleeve

That price is way too much

 

[Susie170911]

If it was my car my first pint to check would be the earth strap gearbox to chassis ..if it’s still got it plastic shroud it may have been overlooked by the AA man
Located under the slave cylinder (below battery tray) but as Chris has posted a jump cable would tell you straight away if it’s an earthing issue

Thanks without even taking the battery off this is what I found... who thinks this is the cause of my problems??!! I didn't even pull back thr black plastic this is how I found it - how could the aa mechanic not see this??!!

 

[Susie170911]

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It should look similar to this , appears Fiat upgraded to copper and a lose plastic sleeve

That price is way too much

Thank you

 

[jackwhoo]

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That may do the job

 

[Baglady1990]

Thank you

That strap being corroded can cause all sorts of possible faults including the car not starting you can get a fully functioning earth strap on eBay for £6 just make sure you get one long enough

 

[Baglady1990]

Also the bolt that connects to the gearbox end is a bugger to get out! I believe it’s the whole screw that removes not the nut that’s attached to it…if my memory serves right Make sure to use wd40 on both bolts and leave it a bit to soak in!

Slave cylinder needs to be unbolted and moved just keep the rod from popping fully out I managed to do mine by just leaving it extended and to the side

 

[John202020]

I thought I'd post some extra pictures in case you're not too familiar with where we mean, it's under the battery going from the body to the gearbox you don't "have" to use the original gearbox bolt the one in the pic can also be used leaving the original in place for ease you still have to connect on the cars frame, I'm pointing to the new one I fitted some time ago this earth strap is more than big enough and 12" long, if using the original locations holes 8mm if using the gearbox bolt 10mm holes https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224364338094?hash=item343d281bae:g:~IIAAOSwXI1cLS2J

 

[John202020]

Do you have jump cables?

If so try one from the battery negative to a sold metal part of the engine

You should try this first, Susie, though its good practice to replace the known earth strap issue, I'm not saying this will solve you're original issue though

 

[Susie170911]

You should try this first, Susie, though its good practice to replace the known earth strap issue, I'm not saying this will solve you're original issue though

Thanks - it's in the process of being replaced as we speak by a car friend - decided it was worth a shot as got nothing to lose in replacing it anyway - now that it's been taken off - it's actually going green both ends so hoping it'll fix the problem if not at least it's another thing ruled out!

If it doesn't work I'll be back for more suggestions!!! Thank you.

 

[jackwhoo]

Thanks - it's in the process of being replaced as we speak by a car friend - decided it was worth a shot as got nothing to lose in replacing it anyway - now that it's been taken off - it's actually going green both ends so hoping it'll fix the problem if not at least it's another thing ruled out!

If it doesn't work I'll be back for more suggestions!!! Thank you.

Check the ground wire between the battery and new ground strap while it's being done(-:
Looks like a lot of members are cheering for you to have a win.

 

[Susie170911]

Well the strap has been replaced so that can be ruled out... Still not working! All lights and warnings came straight on. Turned the car on to idle and see and its still cutting out when brake pedal touched or trying to select reverse and its still didnt idle for more than 30 secs which is what it was doing before. It has got worse originally it would idle then yesterday it would but only for 30 or so secs. So turned the key again tonight idled for about 40 secs and cut out, tried one last time and now won't start at all. In last turn of key it kind of clunk's as through it was about to try but then cuts out. No turn over at all. Help ?! Any ideas what to try next?! Thanks

 

[jackwhoo]

Is the battery flat?

 

[Susie170911]

It shouldn't be - it was a brand new battery last year! 2nd in the space of a couple of months as blue and me not working killed the first one!

All lights are coming on - they do dip out slightly initially but then stabilise but even if it was the battery would that cause the car to cut out when the brakes are applied or trying to select reverse?

The car was idling a few days ago absolutely fine but yesterday would pnly idle for about 30 secs but screen goes blank and cuts out. Today that is what it did the first couple of times after the wire was changed. All the warnings came on as before but the car cranked and started and idled for a few seconds before screen blacking out and cutting off. Now lights will come on but when you try to turn key it won't crank and almost sounded like a clunk then screen went black.

 

[Baglady1990]

It shouldn't be - it was a brand new battery last year! 2nd in the space of a couple of months as blue and me not working killed the first one!

All lights are coming on - they do dip out slightly initially but then stabilise but even if it was the battery would that cause the car to cut out when the brakes are applied or trying to select reverse?

The car was idling a few days ago absolutely fine but yesterday would pnly idle for about 30 secs but screen goes blank and cuts out. Today that is what it did the first couple of times after the wire was changed. All the warnings came on as before but the car cranked and started and idled for a few seconds before screen blacking out and cutting off. Now lights will come on but when you try to turn key it won't crank and almost sounded like a clunk then screen went black.

Do you have a stop start battery charger? It’s worth giving the battery a maintenance charge for a start
I would investigate the rear hatch loom again unless you saw the AA man look at it properly and by properly I mean pulling back the grommets one at a time and thoroughly investigate the wiring
Just because it’s looking like a previous repair doesn’t mean to say it was a good one!
Don’t fret there will be more options coming your way from more members!

 

[Piccolo Nero e Bella]

I should definitely get the battery properly tested, low age notwithstanding.

 

[Susie170911]

Do you have a stop start battery charger? It’s worth giving the battery a maintenance charge for a start
I would investigate the rear hatch loom again unless you saw the AA man look at it properly and by properly I mean pulling back the grommets one at a time and thoroughly investigate the wiring
Just because it’s looking like a previous repair doesn’t mean to say it was a good one!
Don’t fret there will be more options coming your way from more members!

Thanks - I'm going to get a stop start charger today and put it on later this afternoon just to check incase all the trying to start it and fix the problem over the last week has drained the battery.

Thanks also I'll have another check of the loom - is there anything in particular I should be looking for - or just any damage at all?