Bad earth?

[Sbns]

Hi all,
Have a TYM 503 that has a clicking noise when you turn the key, and the starter motor only sometimes engages.(better when hot)
Got the battery checked snd it is ok.
Started fine from a jump start, and works ok if you attach the jump cable fom earth terminal to frame.
Is there a way to fix/improve the normal ground? (if that is the problem?)

thanx.

 

[mikester]

Start at the battery and try thoroughly cleaning the terminals and clamps with a wire brush, apply dielectric grease and re-fasten. If that doesn't work move on from there.

 

[Diggin It]

Yes, the Earth is bad. It's full of quakes, volcanoes and other things.

But it sounds like your ground wire could be too. When checking, inspect the wire itself where it goes into any crimp type connectors. There have been reports of corrosion there and up inside the wire sheath.

 

[Sbns]

Start at the battery and try thoroughly cleaning the terminals and clamps with a wire brush, apply dielectric grease and re-fasten. If that doesn't work move on from there.

Have cleaned the terminals, but will get some dielectric grease!

 

[Sbns]

Yes, the Earth is bad. It's full of quakes, volcanoes and other things.

But it sounds like your ground wire could be too. When checking, inspect the wire itself where it goes into any crimp type connectors. There have been reports of corrosion there and up inside the wire sheath.

Yes, will have to do a better inspection.

 

[kenb1023]

When it does it again take a volt meter and measure from a good ground to the negative terminal. If you get any reading of voltage you have a bad ground. Now a zero reading does not mean your good it just helps to isolate the issue. Also read from post to post and from the positive post to a good ground. If the readings are not exact you have a grounding issue. Finding bad grounds is a PIA because they come and go. Focus on the ground wire from the negative post and also the alternator. Any issues with other electrical items like head lights?

 

[CobyRupert]

When it does it again take a volt meter and measure from a good ground to the negative terminal. If you get any reading of voltage you have a bad ground. Now a zero reading does not mean your good it just helps to isolate the issue. Also read from post to post and from the positive post to a good ground. If the readings are not exact you have a grounding issue. Finding bad grounds is a PIA because they come and go. Focus on the ground wire from the negative post and also the alternator. Any issues with other electrical items like head lights?

....but do this when you have high current loads on. Like the lights on, or when trying to start.
That is, there can be almost zero volts measured across a (high impedance) bad connection when there almost zero current to create the voltage drop.

 

[Sbns]

When it does it again take a volt meter and measure from a good ground to the negative terminal. If you get any reading of voltage you have a bad ground. Now a zero reading does not mean your good it just helps to isolate the issue. Also read from post to post and from the positive post to a good ground. If the readings are not exact you have a grounding issue. Finding bad grounds is a PIA because they come and go. Focus on the ground wire from the negative post and also the alternator. Any issues with other electrical items like head lights?

Thanks for the input.
Don’t ever use the lights, so i will check that!
And you are right , it is a PIA, because it does come and go, and my mechanical skills are very ordinary!

 

[Sbns]

....but do this when you have high current loads on. Like the lights on, or when trying to start.
That is, there can be almost zero volts measured across a (high impedance) bad connection when there almost zero current to create the voltage drop.

Thanks!

 

[PILOON]

On subject of bad grounds----
I've had occasional ground related problems.
I once discovered that the corrosion in a ground cable had travelled as much as 2-3 inches back from the connector.
Stiffness in the adjacent (more than elsewhere) inches is your indicator.
Only cure is, cut and shorten OR replace.