Earth strap D1 300tdi 1997 location

Hello all.

First post and first disco, loving it so far and finding the forum excellent reading. I've got some mechanical knowledge but not loads and none on diesels.

My D1 takes a while to start when it's cold. It turns over fine and does eventually start. I've ordered some new plugs, but I've also seen lots of mention regarding Earth Straps. It would appear that there is no strap from the -ve terminal of the battery on mine, and I've not yet looked for any others as I'm not sure where they shoudl be. Can someone show me where it should go to? Ideally with a picture so I can fit one and see if thats the problem first.

Thanks very much. If it works I'll post pics to hopefully help another newbie in the future.

Welcome!

I'm not sure if its in there but google Rave manual or Rave download its essentially like a haynes manual (but I think a bit better) and free to down load, there may be something on there...

whilst your there, pop over to the intro section to say hi there!

Feanixoak said:

Hello all.

First post and first disco, loving it so far and finding the forum excellent reading. I've got some mechanical knowledge but not loads and none on diesels.

My D1 takes a while to start when it's cold. It turns over fine and does eventually start. I've ordered some new plugs, but I've also seen lots of mention regarding Earth Straps. It would appear that there is no strap from the -ve terminal of the battery on mine, and I've not yet looked for any others as I'm not sure where they should be. Can someone show me where it should go to? Ideally with a picture so I can fit one and see if that's the problem first.

Thanks very much. If it works I'll post pics to hopefully help another newbie in the future.

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There are a number of earth points but the one I would check first is just behind the battery, on the inner front wing.

thebiglad said:

There are a number of earth points but the one I would check first is just behind the battery, on the inner front wing.

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Should a lead run from the -ve terminal to there???

If so it's missing as nothing runs from the -ve terminal.

Just tried to download the manual as advised - which is excellent, and talks about earth leads loads but doesn't show where any fit!

Feanixoak said:

Should a lead run from the -ve terminal to there???

If so it's missing as nothing runs from the -ve terminal.

Just tried to download the manual as advised - which is excellent, and talks about earth leads loads but doesn't show where any fit!

Click to expand...

There must be something running from the battery -ve, some kind of thick cable?

Normally there is a thick black-sheath cable and approx 6-8" from the battery terminal there is a 'P' clip on it which bolts to the inner wing.

battery earth point direct to the starter, (one of the mounting bolts should do)

you can't have too many earths - otherwise it can short down your throttle cable or handbrake cable ...

(luz presion de aceite = oil pressure light)

thebiglad said:

There must be something running from the battery -ve, some kind of thick cable?

Normally there is a thick black-sheath cable and approx 6-8" from the battery terminal there is a 'P' clip on it which bolts to the inner wing.

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Sorry when I said nothing I meant nothing that looks like a specific earth strap. I've seen a few pictures with a braided one which must have been an after market addition. . Advice re the clip is exactly what I was after. I'll check it out. Thanks to all. And thanks for the pic of the chassis great help guys. Thanks

As has been said there has to be one from the negative terminal on the battery back to the chassis at least, this is the only way to complete the circuit. There should also be additional cables running from the engine, bodywork and gearbox to the chassis to help things.

You can easily install additional straps as long as they are a decent thickness and not just normal skinny wire. I had to run in extra ones from my bulkhead to the chassis on the 90.

G

Ive been having various issues relating to starting etc (and a new intermittent power loss one which is annoying) having checked a few thing I have noticed a P clip from the negative cable around 8 inches from the battery terminal is connected to a thin wire, but also looks like at some point it may have been welded to (or had connection via a now corroded small bolt) the wheel arch housing. Seems like an over engineered connection for the tiny wire, Could this be a major earthing point gone bad? (Its not on the wing, hence question)

That is a body earth connection from the battery, the ‘P’clip is fused to the bare copper of the cable after its black plastic insulation was removed either side of the clip, the clip is then terminated to the welded bolt/stud using a single nut.
Also terminated to the same stud is the local black earth wire or wires, my disco has three wires, all going away into the loom.






Sent from my iPad on a train

Cheers, The P clip isnt terminated to anything at the moment and I cant see any obvious place it used to be.
It was runnng ok but Saturday for about 40 miles, but it began running like an absolute dog on the way back and up hills. (Smell of unburnt fuel like a just started BBQ) Stop and it starts fine every time tho
Anyway I have just drilled a new hole to arch and bolted P clip to that seems to be running better (but still not tippy top, Turbo doesnt really kick in properly I think) but manages up hills ok. (Why would the hills be such an issue? I had wondered if there was a layer of petrol in the tank or air bubbles in the line, I guess next step is the sedimenter)

I did notice on Saturday that the handbrake was getting hot, that jives with the above comment on the hanbrake cable shorting. Hopefully this will resolve that but need a longer drive and a bit nervous to do so

Location of the first earth connection to the vehicles body positioned behind the battery.

Fingle said:

that jives with the above comment on the hanbrake cable shorting

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If you have any doubts about the handbrake cable being used as an earth, then replace it - believe me when I tell you that that could end quite badly when the cable fails

discool said:

Location of the first earth connection to the vehicles body positioned behind the battery.

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Thankyou, yep thats the one I redrilled, was just a wee spot weld that snapped. (Your engine bay is pactory fresh, thats amazing!)

Disco1BFG said:

If you have any doubts about the handbrake cable being used as an earth, then replace it - believe me when I tell you that that could end quite badly when the cable fails

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It now seems to remain cold, but due to other issues (spluttery performance under strain) I wont take it far now

Fingle said:

It now seems to remain cold, but due to other issues (spluttery performance under strain) I wont take it far now

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If it got hot, it needs replacing, as the strength will have gone out of it - seriously.