Another MR2... Another project. The "BLACKRAT" Sw20

[rocco26]

W T F ......I wish I could park my car in the dining room!!!!

[Mr-Paulio]

W T F ......I wish I could park my car in the dining room!!!!

Haha, BTW anyone want to buy a dinning table and chairs?

[Mr-Paulio]

Damn ground issues in SDubs aye...?
So the BlackRat had this issue about a month ago or so with the starter. Would tick tick and every now and then try to turn over very slowly. Like a dead battery. But it wasn't. Because I tried a new battery. Also jumped it off my truck etc. I locked it away for awhile as I was too busy and couldn't be bothered with it. Chased my tail a bit recently with it. Pulled it out and bench tested. Okay. Even loaded up. Opened it up and cleaned it up, checked it all out etc. Okay. Put it back. Same issue. Jumped a battery and starter solenoid switch direct to it. Worked fine. Took it off, wouldn't work off the ignition. Then decided to just leave the ground from my jumper leads connected to the motor and the chassis. Worked fine. Im not sure whats happened with the factory grounds, if they are still there? But there is an after market thick gauge wire from the chassis to the gearbox which looks fine. (Installed by a previous owner) Anyway I just ran another nice new beefy ground (battery) wire from the chassis to the gearbox and to the head. Problem solved.

What I find weird is no issue for about the past year of ownership and now all of a sudden the ground is a problem? The aftermarket ground looks fine. Hasn't been moved or tampered with lately. Very odd. But I can't be bothered investigating it further anymore. Especially since it's now resolved. I hope this helps someone with a similar issue before you waste money on a starter motor!

[Benckj]

Common issue for factory ground to have a high resistance on the trans side. It may ‘look’ fine but need to remove, clean connector & threads then use a conductive grease to reinstall. Surprised you didn’t have an engine issue as one of the symptoms is a burnt throttle cable as alternator uses this for ground when cable fails as described. Often this will cause an engine fire.

[Mr-Paulio]

Common issue for factory ground to have a high resistance on the trans side. It may ‘look’ fine but need to remove, clean connector & threads then use a conductive grease to reinstall. Surprised you didn’t have an engine issue as one of the symptoms is a burnt throttle cable as alternator uses this for ground when cable fails as described. Often this will cause an engine fire.

Yeah I've seen many people talk about the engine fires. I guess if it can't start it can't catch fire? Haha. Very lucky though I agree. I'm not sure where the factory grounds are for this car. And couldn't see them or be bothered with them. Figured it best to start clean anyway. But the after market added one seemed fine. I guess like you say could still be corroded somewhere enough to cause an issue for high current loads like a starter. When I say seems fine I simply mean the connection points, and the wire itself look fine. It didnt fall off or apart in my hand etc.

[Benckj]

As the cable needs to carry 100amps it doesn’t take much corrosion on threads to cause a problem. The current will take the path of least resistance which is usually throttle cable. I generally clean the factory ground as described and then add another sizeable cable between engine block and chassis.

[GDII]

Earth strap from gearbox to chassis on the left and from engine head to strut tower on the right.

[mknz]

There's also a smaller one on the intake manifold as part of the engine loom

[GDII]

Yes that's true but that earths the ECU power and doesn't relate to the starting system high Amp earthing. That earths through the starter body, to the gearbox, to the earth strap, to the chassis and to the battery.

[mknz]

Yes that's true but that earths the ECU power and doesn't relate to the starting system high Amp earthing. That earths through the starter body, to the gearbox, to the earth strap, to the chassis and to the battery.

I realise, but I'm assuming that he's going to clean them all.

[Mr-Paulio]

I realise, but I'm assuming that he's going to clean them all.

Not likely, it's my beater!

[GDII]

I realise, but I'm assuming that he's going to clean them all.

Not likely, it's my beater!

LET IT BURN!!!

[mknz]

I realise, but I'm assuming that he's going to clean them all.

Not likely, it's my beater!

work on the AW then

[Mr-Paulio]

Haha, already looks partially burnt?
And yeah I know I need to work on the ADUB. Stuck waiting on parts and people though

[Mr-Paulio]

So starter (ground issue) resolved.
Coolant blowing out the overflow solved (Not HG luckily) Just a bad radiator cap.
Unfortunately now it seems my alternator has failed. Ran out of charge on the way to the South Auckland Burger Night

Also unfortunately lost my rusty Toyota badge somewhere
But this prompted a new custom hood ornament I like more!

Yes that is a real Rat Skull!!
#BlackRat