Im trying to sort out my wiring and having a few issues. I have two engine earth cables. One is on the gearbox to the frame, and the other is from the engine to the battery earth bolt. Am I correct in thinking I should only have the gearbox one? I don’t think the gearbox one works which is why someone fitted the other one.
VW only fitted the gearbox earth strap. In the days of AM radio an additional earth strap could have been fitted between the generator earth stud and the body as additional radio suppression but it wasn't a heavy duty strap to take starter current. But there is never any harm in having an additional earth strap.
Don't bother buying a gearbox repro one from the usual places (there are about 5cm too short) get a new modern type, fitted mine about 6 years ago and improved starting etc. Also fitted a extra earth strap from battery to engine.
I snapped off the stud on the chassis when I was trying to clean the connection, so I welded a new bolt on, but I don’t trust it. I ran the engine cable to the alternator strap, as I was having trouble with the alternator charging fully. What ever I did, the starter is now turning much faster and I am getting full 14.3v at the battery. I’ll make up a new gearbox earth cable as I have the cable and the fittings. Thank you.
and while you're at it, clean up the battery negative cable to the body back to bright metal, scrape off any paint or crud as needed. with new clean earths and fully charged battery, the engine should start straightaway and run well. keep the battery trickle charged during the winter if the van is laid up.
Yes that’s the stud I snapped off. I welded a new one on, not sure how good it is but it is on there enough to nip it up.
