The Subaru SVX World Network   SVX Network Forums
Live Chat!
SVX or Subaru Links
Old Lockers
Photo Post
How-To Documents
Message Archive
SVX Shop Search
IRC users:

Go Back   The Subaru SVX World Network > SVX Main Forums > Technical Q & A

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-23-2008, 02:42 AM
Dessertrunner's Avatar
Dessertrunner Dessertrunner is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Griffith NSW
Posts: 2,156
SVX's have a earth fault.

I think I may have found why the CD player as well as other things are not working properly. It seems that the earth from the battery is connected from the transmission to the body of the car. What I notice on mine was that the wire was broken and when touched it came apart. This was after changing the CD player because it had problems with one that worked. When I did that the replacement behave just as bad.
If this wire is broken then the only way to get the earth to the body is through the mounts and linkage etc.
Tony
__________________
1995 - SVX 700,000 K Mine, DMS Struts to lift car 2in. Tyres Wrangler Silent Armor 235/70R16, PBR Radiator. 6 speed with DCCD and R180 rer diff, Heavy duty top strut mounts front and rear. Speedo correction box fitted. New stero (gave up on the old one). Back seat removed and 2 spare tyres fitted for desert driving. ECUTune SC sitting in the box for the next SVX.
1992 - SVX 255 K Wife (Want to stay Married so not allowed to fit SC)
1992 - SVX Pearl with black roof race car roll cauge etc ready to race. Ex Tasman Targa car.
1995 - SVX Green low k mint condiation.
1995 - SVX Rally car, ex Matts car. Now to be used on track.
1992 - SVX red & Black being converted to Mid Engine.
1995 - SVX Red 143,000 bit rough.
Owned 5 others Subaru back to a 1974 1400 GSR.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-23-2008, 03:00 AM
SomethingElse's Avatar
SomethingElse SomethingElse is offline
word words wording
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: CO
Posts: 1,387
Send a message via AIM to SomethingElse Send a message via MSN to SomethingElse
I still cant get over that one lonely small ill placed body ground that subaru put on our cars. Did they actually think it would be sufficient?

At least they have one on the back, connected to the muffler.
__________________
Eric

Rebuilt P/S pump info... http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=50918

If your car wont start info... http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...ighlight=click
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-23-2008, 07:48 AM
lhopp77's Avatar
lhopp77 lhopp77 is offline
Old Timer (age that is)
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico
Posts: 3,514
Send a message via Yahoo to lhopp77
Registered SVX
Several

Quote:
Originally Posted by SomethingElse View Post
I still cant get over that one lonely small ill placed body ground that subaru put on our cars. Did they actually think it would be sufficient?

At least they have one on the back, connected to the muffler.
I think you might be referring to actual strap grounds. There are really several wiring harness grounds to the body. For example the radio harness is grounded in the vicinity of the shifter.

Lee
__________________
SVXx2
92 SVX LS-L Silver
92 SVX LS-L Burgundy (structurally challenged with 2792 miles)
96 SVX LSi Red
92 SVX LS Pearl (Parts)
01 F150 4X4 Red
(+6 with other members of the family)

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-23-2008, 09:54 AM
crazyhorse's Avatar
crazyhorse crazyhorse is offline
242,000 mi on oem trans
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Greeneville, TN
Posts: 1,111
Registered SVX
Grounding all the components to the body is moot, if the negative battery cable isn't grounded. That, I believe was what Desertrunner was getting at.

An easy fix is to run a heavier cable from the battery, to the engine, then to the body somewhere.
__________________
[SIGPIC]http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=5569&dateline=1207440 507[/SIGPIC]
Naught but by the grace of God
"42"
Current Stable By Age:
'89 Subaru XT6 Silver "Audrey" as in Hepburn
'96 SVX LSi #767Brilliant Red "Lil Red" Now on the front burner. Looking for a totalled, but running parts car.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-23-2008, 01:10 PM
kwren's Avatar
kwren kwren is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: washington state
Posts: 3,499
How heavy is heavier?

Quote:
Originally Posted by crazyhorse View Post
Grounding all the components to the body is moot, if the negative battery cable isn't grounded. That, I believe was what Desertrunner was getting at.

An easy fix is to run a heavier cable from the battery, to the engine, then to the body somewhere.

..................
what gage?

Last edited by kwren; 05-23-2008 at 01:11 PM. Reason: added what gage?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-23-2008, 01:47 PM
black beast black beast is offline
Back Road Blazer
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New Boston, NH
Posts: 501
Send a message via AIM to black beast
I have ground wires... they are 4 guage. and are mounted to...

The engine block via both sides of the intake man.
The alternator
the tranny (stock one)
the frame (the rad. support, and literally drilled a hole.)


In the pic (I dont know if you will be able to read text...) The bracket has no paint where the wire meets it, and the frame underneath has been sanded bare.

The wire going to the alt. has been replaced with a heavier gauge since the photo was taken.

I dont know if it really does gain HP but cant hurt..
__________________
-Chris
'94 ebony pearl, with orange "silicone" hoses, painted beauty cover, Tom's Intake, Dayles Cold air intake; with HKS mega suction foam air filter, 3in header back exhaust, STI ground wires, euro front fascia, euro front grill, reactive 17in wheels, Nitto Invo's, Drilled and slotted rotors, stainless break lines, Koni strut inserts, Drop springs, 5MT, shotshifter, Clutchmasters clutch, ACT prolite flywheel, EL Glow gauges, The ECUTune stage 2. To Do: Cams, port and polish, etc.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-23-2008, 01:48 PM
black beast black beast is offline
Back Road Blazer
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New Boston, NH
Posts: 501
Send a message via AIM to black beast
LOL forgot the pic... hehe
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_1042.JPG (99.6 KB, 316 views)
__________________
-Chris
'94 ebony pearl, with orange "silicone" hoses, painted beauty cover, Tom's Intake, Dayles Cold air intake; with HKS mega suction foam air filter, 3in header back exhaust, STI ground wires, euro front fascia, euro front grill, reactive 17in wheels, Nitto Invo's, Drilled and slotted rotors, stainless break lines, Koni strut inserts, Drop springs, 5MT, shotshifter, Clutchmasters clutch, ACT prolite flywheel, EL Glow gauges, The ECUTune stage 2. To Do: Cams, port and polish, etc.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-23-2008, 01:57 PM
crazyhorse's Avatar
crazyhorse crazyhorse is offline
242,000 mi on oem trans
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Greeneville, TN
Posts: 1,111
Registered SVX
The heavier the better actually.

I'd say an "0" guage would be sufficient. Car audio shops carry a super flexible ought guage wire that'd be just about perfect for grounding the negative battery terminal.

To see the shortcomings of a single point ground for the battery, My lowly Pinto has no less than 3 contact points for the negative cable. (Ought guage from the factory) Those points being, the negative post, the chassis, then the engine. All on one continuous wire. The Pinto is nowhere near as sophisitcated as the SVX, and has an electrical load of less than half the SVX system.
__________________
[SIGPIC]http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=5569&dateline=1207440 507[/SIGPIC]
Naught but by the grace of God
"42"
Current Stable By Age:
'89 Subaru XT6 Silver "Audrey" as in Hepburn
'96 SVX LSi #767Brilliant Red "Lil Red" Now on the front burner. Looking for a totalled, but running parts car.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-23-2008, 02:09 PM
kwren's Avatar
kwren kwren is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: washington state
Posts: 3,499
Thank for the response...

........................
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-23-2008, 02:15 PM
Dessertrunner's Avatar
Dessertrunner Dessertrunner is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Griffith NSW
Posts: 2,156
crazyhorse you got me in one,
There are plenty of gorunds going to the body of the car and around the engine. But the only ground from the battery is from the battery to the starter bolt. The body is only getting its ground supply through the little wire that goes from the top of the gearbox to the front to the firewall. The one on the exhaust is not reliable due to the number gaskets etc going to the engine. I suggest you don't put the ground through the radiator as it can cause it to be eaten away with corrision.
I am going to put a large strap from the battery earth direct to the body of the car to get round the problem.
Tony
__________________
1995 - SVX 700,000 K Mine, DMS Struts to lift car 2in. Tyres Wrangler Silent Armor 235/70R16, PBR Radiator. 6 speed with DCCD and R180 rer diff, Heavy duty top strut mounts front and rear. Speedo correction box fitted. New stero (gave up on the old one). Back seat removed and 2 spare tyres fitted for desert driving. ECUTune SC sitting in the box for the next SVX.
1992 - SVX 255 K Wife (Want to stay Married so not allowed to fit SC)
1992 - SVX Pearl with black roof race car roll cauge etc ready to race. Ex Tasman Targa car.
1995 - SVX Green low k mint condiation.
1995 - SVX Rally car, ex Matts car. Now to be used on track.
1992 - SVX red & Black being converted to Mid Engine.
1995 - SVX Red 143,000 bit rough.
Owned 5 others Subaru back to a 1974 1400 GSR.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 05-23-2008, 03:48 PM
kwren's Avatar
kwren kwren is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: washington state
Posts: 3,499
In the graphic the radiator....

ground doesn't appear to actually ground the radiator at all.

The electrical connection is grounded to the frame of the car "by" the radiator and has no affect on the radiator.

There is also a ground wire fastened to the frame of the car near the battery at the front just below the bottom of the battery.

Haven't checked where it goes but I will.

The large strap to the frame sounds like a good idea...

Keith
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 05-23-2008, 04:06 PM
crazyhorse's Avatar
crazyhorse crazyhorse is offline
242,000 mi on oem trans
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Greeneville, TN
Posts: 1,111
Registered SVX
Most older 'Murican cars have a large (1/2-1") braided copper ground strap from the engine block to the chassis. This is another VERY good option for the SVX.

Here is a link to a product, reasonably priced @ $13USD
__________________
[SIGPIC]http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=5569&dateline=1207440 507[/SIGPIC]
Naught but by the grace of God
"42"
Current Stable By Age:
'89 Subaru XT6 Silver "Audrey" as in Hepburn
'96 SVX LSi #767Brilliant Red "Lil Red" Now on the front burner. Looking for a totalled, but running parts car.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 05-23-2008, 04:08 PM
Dessertrunner's Avatar
Dessertrunner Dessertrunner is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Griffith NSW
Posts: 2,156
Now I get you keith sound good. I think we need to all figue out the best way to do this.
Tony
__________________
1995 - SVX 700,000 K Mine, DMS Struts to lift car 2in. Tyres Wrangler Silent Armor 235/70R16, PBR Radiator. 6 speed with DCCD and R180 rer diff, Heavy duty top strut mounts front and rear. Speedo correction box fitted. New stero (gave up on the old one). Back seat removed and 2 spare tyres fitted for desert driving. ECUTune SC sitting in the box for the next SVX.
1992 - SVX 255 K Wife (Want to stay Married so not allowed to fit SC)
1992 - SVX Pearl with black roof race car roll cauge etc ready to race. Ex Tasman Targa car.
1995 - SVX Green low k mint condiation.
1995 - SVX Rally car, ex Matts car. Now to be used on track.
1992 - SVX red & Black being converted to Mid Engine.
1995 - SVX Red 143,000 bit rough.
Owned 5 others Subaru back to a 1974 1400 GSR.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 05-23-2008, 04:09 PM
kwren's Avatar
kwren kwren is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: washington state
Posts: 3,499
looks like a good one

might even find a spot for 2!
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 05-23-2008, 04:36 PM
YourConfused YourConfused is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,276
I added a 4 gage from batt to block and a 0 gage from batt to chassis a while back as I have done this to every vehicle I have owned just out of precaution.
__________________
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin


blk 92' LSL w/ average mods

pics here http://s306.photobucket.com/albums/nn277/yourconfused/


Cash68: "Hmm, I wouldn't brag about beating Escorts. That's like saying you tricked a retarded person."
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:06 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2001-2015 SVX World Network
(208)-906-1122