ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum

ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: one mile on May 03, 2009, 12:12:55 PM

Title: Burnt Ground Wire Question
Post by: one mile on May 03, 2009, 12:12:55 PM
O.K. I was told to look at the ground wire on the drivers side rear tail light to fix my fuel gage...Bingo! it was that on the nose....Now my question is why was it burnt in two to start with? Do I have a more serious problem getting ready to rear it's ugly head?
Title: Re: Burnt Ground Wire Question
Post by: one mile on May 03, 2009, 12:15:00 PM
O.K. it is a '87 samurai I am talking about. Sorry about that!
Title: Re: Burnt Ground Wire Question
Post by: one mile on May 04, 2009, 05:01:42 PM
Come on folks ,you all have not failed me yet! I need input on this so I came take care of this before something BIG happens...O.K.?......Hello....Pretty Please....?
Title: Re: Burnt Ground Wire Question
Post by: reb on May 05, 2009, 12:10:20 PM
That is an unusual problem.  Do you pull a trailer?  If so, I would check the wiring of the trailer to ensure the wiring is ok.  If that trailer had put great a load on the circuit, that could cause problems, tho I would expect a blown fuse first.  Another possibility would be to look at the light sockets nearest that wire for something out of order that might cause a short around a bulb.
Title: Re: Burnt Ground Wire Question
Post by: one mile on May 06, 2009, 06:44:05 PM
I haul no trailer but will check everything...Thanks for info.
Title: Re: Burnt Ground Wire Question
Post by: Armour on May 06, 2009, 07:17:42 PM
If your ground wire is burnt or looks like it could have been getting hot then it could be a couple of things. First check the connection where it is grounded to the body or frame. Remove it and clean it to make sure it is free of corrosion. Second check the wire itself for any pinches or cuts. If the wire is getting hot its because too much juice it trying to run through not enough wire. If that makes sense!
Title: Re: Burnt Ground Wire Question
Post by: one mile on May 06, 2009, 09:35:35 PM
Sense it does make....Thanks.
Title: Re: Burnt Ground Wire Question
Post by: Jeremiah on May 07, 2009, 01:56:23 PM
Supposedly you can check for shorts with a mulit meter ($5 from harbor freight, and everyone should have one), but I'm not sure how.
Title: Re: Burnt Ground Wire Question
Post by: Armour on May 09, 2009, 09:04:59 PM
I wouldn't think it is a short! Unless it is blowing fuses!
Title: Re: Burnt Ground Wire Question
Post by: reb on May 10, 2009, 12:38:09 PM
Quote from: Armour on May 09, 2009, 09:04:59 PM
I wouldn't think it is a short! Unless it is blowing fuses!

Generally true.  However, I have seen cases where a wire has been pinched and the insulation damaged enough to cause current leakage to ground, but not enough to blow a fuse.  Not sure how that would apply here, though. 

Perhaps the burnt wire had been damaged and was unable to carry the normal circuit current.  At any rate, it should be safe to replace the wire with another of the correct size, after verifying the fuses in the circuit are ok.
Title: Re: Burnt Ground Wire Question
Post by: Toy Box on May 10, 2009, 01:24:19 PM
Have been welding on the car?
Title: Re: Burnt Ground Wire Question
Post by: one mile on May 14, 2009, 06:46:26 AM
You know I have seen spots where it has been welded on....Very good info   THANKS!