Information Electrical - A2 earth points

S

Sarge

A2OC Donor
Attached are pictures for the Earth Points on the A2

:cool:


NOTE: 1.6FSi Owners I have found that these cables are faulty in 3 cases (all on 2003 models!). It appears that the cable is clean at ends and makes good contact onto body, but if you look under the sleeve, it has corroded to the point the cable separates into two halves. Remove cable and if necessary split protective sleeve and check for damage in cable. if you give it a tug by pulling hard from both ends it may come apart! this is your problem.

I would recommend everyone looking at the cable make these checks, no matter which engine you have!


SARGE
 

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Hi SARGE,

Do you know where the earth points are in the boot? I cant really make it out from the diagram. No particular reason why I need them, but I jump started a car from my battery the other day and noticed there weren't any obvious earthing points :confused:

Thanks :)
 
The obvious earth point is at the battery negative!

The others are all behind panels and very inaccessible I'm afraid.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Just cleaned the earth point behind the passenger side headlight. I removed the ABS multi pin connector for access - (pull the locking clip up about 50mm) and struggled to re-insert the plug until I found the locking clip actually draws the pug into its final position as you press it back down.

Cheers Spike
 
Hi all,

I also removed the trimming today and checked the earth points on both front sides (Looked fine i.m.o)
I thought I'd share my pics (this is a left hand drive):

N12_2835.jpg N12_2836.jpg

Kind regards,
Johan
 
Is the earth point diagram in ELSA? I had a quick look in section 97 of the workshop manual and could not find the illustrations.
I have some earth problems reported with the ignition S-switch, on the aerial circuit and on the aircon system. Which earth points would be best to check for these issues.
I will check the one behind the headlight.
There has been lots of groundwater here and this is probably the cause of the dirt and problems with the earth connection. The earth connectors behind the trim should not be so much at risk of corrosion.
Any ideas?
 
I came Across another earth point while fixing my heater, If you look in Sarges attachement it looks to be number 7, Its hidden right up above the heater fans, side flap motor, just under the top face of the dash so no access and hidden from sight unless the dash is removed...
If you remove the glovebox, there is just enough room to get your hand up beside the flap motor and get to the 10mm bolt with a 1/4 in ratchet but youl be doing this blind, hope the pictures help, unsure what it earths but a fairly heavy earth wire which goes into the main loom..

IMG_0754.JPG

IMG_0745.JPG

IMG_0746.JPG

mine was slightly corroded as it goes and imagine its the condensation from the quarter light glass runnin down may of caused this.

Regards Gary
 
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HI guys,

Sorry to rake up an old thread with en entry-level question but.....

After 11 years of ownership, I've never cleaned the earth strap connection point behind the passenger headlight that everyone seems to talk about. So I decided to do it today as the starting's OK but a little slow in this weather. Battery, alternator and starter are in A1 condition.

So.....where is it? I've read the threads, had the torch out but I can't seem to find anything that looks relevant.

Anyone got a photo handy? Also, any items need moving to access it?

Thanks in advance.....

Simon
 
If you remove the passenger side headlight you should be able to see it. Look for a bolt attached to the chassis leg directly behind it. You will need a socket set with a lengthy extension bar but all should be all good and accessible if you thread it through a couple of pipes.
 
One tip Simon.... make sure you have hold of the bolt with your fingers when its completely loose. I tried to withdraw it hoping it would stay in the socket end and it fell through and down into the under tray. It would have made for extra work had I not bought a new one just in case. :)
 
Special edition said:
If you remove the passenger side headlight you should be able to see it. Look for a bolt attached to the chassis leg directly behind it. You will need a socket set with a lengthy extension bar but all should be all good and accessible if you thread it through a couple of pipes.
Click to expand...

That is strange, I have always used a spanner on it because it faces away from you and I don't remember there being space for an extension?

Steve B
 
I understand what you mean Steve... I thought rightly or wrongly that a spanner may "round" the tight bolt and this worried me. I managed to get the socket and extension bar through the space where the headlight would sit. That way the bar is level and sits perfectly on the bolt. I think the pipes down there... possible metal air conditioning pipes... are positioned nicely so that the extension bar goes through them and on to the bolt.

I also thought that the access was limited for spanner use and didn,t want to lose the bolt but I ended up doing that anyway.

Cheers
Dave:)
 
Electrical Gremlins. Earthing Point Information Required

Continuing the feed, can any of you guys help me with a suspected earthing problem.

I have a 2001 1.4 petrol A2 which has just come out of a ~1 year hibernation. Since putting the car back on the road, the electrical gremlins are getting quickly worse.

Firstly the heater fan switches speed with every bump in the road, the hazard warning light function stopped, now the indicators don't work.

Performing a check brought up 20 faults (all sporadic) 6 of which were heater related. It all feels like a earthing issue.

My question is, before ripping the car apart, can anyone tell me which systems work off earthing point #7 (behind the dashboard underneath the quarter glass)? I strongly suspect this to be the cause, but any confirmation would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks
 
I think my TDI seems to have an earth problem seems fine when starting from cold and left for for a number of hours but when driven then switching off then trying to start the car it stuggles to start almost like battery is flat turns over slowly and faults start flagging up on dash , battery seems to have enough power in and alternator is charging about 14v .
 
NIC NAC said:
I think my TDI seems to have an earth problem seems fine when starting from cold and left for for a number of hours but when driven then switching off then trying to start the car it stuggles to start almost like battery is flat turns over slowly and faults start flagging up on dash , battery seems to have enough power in and alternator is charging about 14v .
Click to expand...

have you undone the main starter motor earth, cleaned all faces of the bolt and washer and the body where it screws in?

if not then this is likely to be the cause.

Steve B
 
Birchall said:
have you undone the main starter motor earth, cleaned all faces of the bolt and washer and the body where it screws in?

if not then this is likely to be the cause.

Steve B
Click to expand...

I have not yet checked the eart to the starter but did try to undo the bolt to the body behind the ABS pump but is very tight so think will remove the headlamp and try again.
 
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