Mystery Ground Wire Near Alternator

[trunque]

On our '99 Contour 2.0L, we're starting to have problems with the Battery Light flickering at high RPMS. While researching the problem, I found a mysterious ground wire near the alternator that isn't connected to anything. It is connected to the upper firewall just to the left of the air box. The other end was lying on top of the alternator, with a round "washer type" connecter...not connected to anything. There is a fancy post looking thing on the back of the alternator, but I don't want to just go hooking up ground wires to random places just to see what happens! I probably need to replace the alternator based on the original problem, but I want to find out where this wire goes first.

If more info is needed, I can try to post a picture.

Thank you all for your time.

 

[Tony2005]

... post a picture.

....

Yes, do.

 

[trunque]

This picture shows the cable running from the passenger side firewall and lying on the air box (it likes to fall down on top of the alternator). I looked at a 2000 Focus this morning and it had a similar wire running to the circular engine bracket next to the valve cover (visible in the lower central area of the photo). We did have the transmission replaced last month and this is the first time I noticed it.

Thanks.

 

[dnbaholic]

I looked at a 2000 Focus this morning and it had a similar wire running to the circular engine bracket next to the valve cover (visible in the lower central area of the photo).

Yes, IIRC, that wire goes on that bolt that holds the bracket for the a/c line.

 

[Scorpion8]

Yes, IIRC, that wire goes on that bolt that holds the bracket for the a/c line.

I found that exact same wire disconnected on my 2.0, and figured it's obviously a ground wire so swinging an arc with it and seeing all the possible places it could go I finally grounded it to that engine hoist bracket just as described.

I haven't noticed any difference one way or another.

 

[rouar]

The dealer disconnected this wire on my old SE (Duratec) and I ran with it like that for a while till I got an answer where it belonged.
No difference in performance on the car.

 

[kwg_2371]

regardless of the wire, If your battery light is flickering your probably in need of a new ALT. I had the same problem with it flickering at high RPM, A few months later my ALT craped out on me.

 

[amc49]

Uh, that's a power steering line, not a/c. And yes the ground attaches at the engine hoist loop.

 

[dnbaholic]

:troutslap: Good call

 

[yungstar06]

check all your grounds

 

[TheKidWithTheSE]

Hate to bring back an old thread but its for a good reason.

I just notice mine was lose today when going to change my alt, and i wanted to find out what it was for before i added a $180 alt i could not afford. thanks anyone that can help

Edit with pictures: