Funny lookin little thing!

[brwntom]

There is this funny lookin little strap running from the hood to the passenger side fender. I am assuming it is for grounding purposes. But why? This is a 1998 ranger XLT with a 2.5l with a 5 speed auto.

 

[shadetree]

It is a ground strap. It is to prevent radio frequency interference. Any parts of the body/frame that are not solidly attached can cause this interference due to electricity flowing thru them. Its kind of like the key on a Morse code. By making and breaking contact as the vehicle vibrates, it will emit this interference.

In the old days, you would find a copper coil inside the grease cups on the wheels. This would prevent static in the radios. Today it is not only for radios, but for the electronic controls inside the vehicle.shady

 

[razrwild]

tape worm?

 

[brwntom]

I like the tape worm idea a lot!! but I think I am going to lean towards the first idea but only because it doesn't have the question mark at the end. haha

 

[simonsays]

It is a ground strap. It is to prevent radio frequency interference. Any parts of the body/frame that are not solidly attached can cause this interference due to electricity flowing thru them. Its kind of like the key on a Morse code. By making and breaking contact as the vehicle vibrates, it will emit this interference.

In the old days, you would find a copper coil inside the grease cups on the wheels. This would prevent static in the radios. Today it is not only for radios, but for the electronic controls inside the vehicle.shady

what he said.

 

[LearjetMinako]

Ground strap. Just another thing to give you a better hurting static shock.

 

[PaleBlue90]

what he said.

+1

 

[97ranger4x4]

I have always wondered what that was for.

 

[Turbo-T]

Way back when C.B. radio was the rage, I bonded all parts of my truck. Bed to cab, cab to frame, hood to cab, etc. It actually helped the signal strength.

 

[kunar]

i always figured it was to make sure that the light had a good ground. i suppose the radio noise theory works too.

 

[tpking]

or if the hood flies up going down the road haha thats what i thought it was for ..