Battery Negative cable

[e21pilot]

Had trouble starting today and it was because of poor connections at the negative terminal of the battery. The PO made a real mess of the wiring at this terminal although the Positive terminal is still bone stock and in great shape -- go figure?

In any case, what are all the black wires that are supposed to be running directly to the negative terminal on a 92 4.0? Is there a good source for factory style cables/connectors other than Motorcraft?

 

[swynx]

Should just be a ground... engine bay has them all over. Mine was cut. My negative cable is all screwed up to the point I have a piece of wire wrapped around it to get a solid connection.

The autoparts store should have one just like the stock one. If I were you id get one you can open/close several times and add the ground if you want/need it.

 

[RonD]

Larger negative cable will go to the engine block, sometimes to one of the starter motor bolts.
Smaller wire to the radiator support, headlight ground.

There should be a ground wire from the "headlight ground" to the Fender and Frame, so not directly from the battery
There should be a ground strap on the drivers side head to the firewall

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I just build new wires when they're needed. I bought a length of 4-gauge welding cable, a bunch of crimp-on ends, some heat-shrink tubing and I usually get brass marine terminals to use on the battery. From what I've found, if the battery end of the wire is boogered up bad, there is a good chance the wire is corroded inside the casing. They're not hard to replace.

 

[black_demon69]

i always solder large copper eyes to the ends of any wire that goes to the battery usually use shrink tube but was out so i used tape instead.

also use marine ends but i just happened to have connectors you see in pics

 

[e21pilot]

Good suggestions guys. I'm going to go to the salvage yard this weekend and see if I can find something stock from an Explorer or even later model Ranger. If not, I will visit the local welding shop. They made up some heavy gauge battery cable for me when I was restoring my 69 Firebird and they have given me no problem thus far.