You know the copper ground wire that runs from your valve cover to the frame of the car? If its disconnected what is the outcome? Mine was taken off at the valve cover end to do a valve adjustment and was accidently not bolted back on....the car has run fine but am I losing horsepower or anything because it wasnt bolted up???

 

It's the one of the main ground wires for the engine - put it back on.

 

I've seen occasions where the engine wouldn't start or would start but would run rough. Ground Wires that are connected improperly can lead to strange things. I seriously saw a car, volkswagen, that had bad ground and when the engine started the electronics would go AWOL. Put it back on

 

Well the other day when i started it it didnt run right..it was idling rough and it would start right up like a millisecond after i turned the key when normally it would take a turnover or two before it would fire...so that got me suspecious ...but i just thought maybe it was bad gas or something....

Then I popped my hood tonight and just happened to glance down at it just dangling there....and I was like WTH??

ITs back on....took it for a spin.....still feels strong....hope i didnt fudge anything up.

 

I believe that ground is mostly for EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference) shielding and not much else. It's kinda hard to isolate an engine from the frame in a metal car. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think you had a passing phenomenon the other day and the ground wire in question had nothing to do with it.


[Modified by figment, 3:36 AM 7/31/2001]