Suggestions please, loose wire

Hello, I have a TD4 SE 2004 reg 84K miles. I was checking it over today prior to the MOT and had the rear driver's side wheel off checking the rear brake shoes and noticed a wire hanging down behind the wheel arch cover. I removed the wheel arch cover to expose what you can see in the image below. Does anyone know what this wire is for? The connector still has the remains of a rusty spade terminal in it but I can't see where it came from. The car seems to run OK and there are no warning lights on. Thanks.

I expect that's the safety earth for the fuel pump that has rusted off.

Pump will run fine without it of course.

Not a priority to re-attach it in my opinion as even if there was a spark it would be unlikely to start a fire with diesel.

I would be fixing it next time I needed to replace the fuel filter or pump.

Note to the safety conscious - I would not be saying this if it was a petrol fuel pump earth that had come adrift.

:5biagree: with SV, It's the earth lead which attaches to the side of the fuel filter housing.

Thanks for the responses, I thought the fuel pump was under the seat in the fuel tank. I assume you are referring to the horizontal rusty looking item with an electrical connector going to it. I can see no mention of any of this in my Haynes manual and I can't see anything like it advertised on ebay.

It is mentioned in the haynes manual (can't remember what page now), I have just changed my fuel filter so recognized it right away. The fuel filter is the cylindrical object with the fuel pipe with two blue push buttons attached which is under the cylindrical object with the electricle connector attached. If you ever decide to change the fuel filter it is a pig of a job to get it out.

Mine rusted through the fuel filter, can't see why LR made the earth strap out of steel!?? I cut a strip of ally and shaped it to fit and all is now good!

Very bad design

Ian jones said:

Very bad design

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That's rather an understatement!!!!

Frigging ridiculous is more like it - some twisted sadistic 'designer' probably on work experience decided to put it in the place which would be the most awkward to reach and where it will collect the mud and crud of 60K miles before it needs attention according to the service schedule.

End of rant - knuckles still bear the scars.

I've mentioned it before and I can laugh (a little) now.

Try changing the filter at the side of the road at night in Romania after you've had a load of cr*p diesel from an open-topped tank with wasps and flies in it, from the only filling station for 100 miles.

To go to Romania I now carry 2 spare filters and a funnel with a fine mesh.

Singvogel said:

That's rather an understatement!!!!

Frigging ridiculous is more like it - some twisted sadistic 'designer' probably on work experience decided to put it in the place which would be the most awkward to reach and where it will collect the mud and crud of 60K miles before it needs attention according to the service schedule.

End of rant - knuckles still bear the scars.

I've mentioned it before and I can laugh (a little) now.

Try changing the filter at the side of the road at night in Romania after you've had a load of cr*p diesel from an open-topped tank with wasps and flies in it, from the only filling station for 100 miles.

To go to Romania I now carry 2 spare filters and a funnel with a fine mesh.

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SV - take the Beemer!!!

DD3 said:

SV - take the Beemer!!!

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No chance - the Freelander is a great vehicle for Romania.

Hardly anyone has ever seen one so they know there is no market for the parts so they don't nick them.

Still take the wiper-blades off when I park though.

Plenty kids waiting to sell them back to you if you forget.

First time I went there with an old M-Benz 208D van and I 'lost' numberplate lights, rear lights, wipers (including the arms) and several wheel nuts before they realised I had locking wheel nuts, and the spare wheel inside.

And that was in a guarded truck park.

Lovely place Romania - nice people too. (some of them)

I have to admit I had driving lamps stolen in Edinburgh in the middle of the day - there are snatchers everywhere - it's just that Romania has extra.