is my car grounded?
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Sauk Village, IL
is my car grounded?
when i was tightening up the pos. cable on my battery, my finger, not the wrench, touched the body of the car and i could feel like electricity going through my finger, it was almost like a sharp burning sensation. does this mean i have a bad ground somewhere and would this contribute to my 4000 rpm break up?
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From: The Nest
Car: 1985 GMC Jimmy/1998 Chevy Malibu
Engine: 3.2L turbo Hybrid/bone stock 3100
Transmission: T-5 soon to be 700R4/4T40E
The chassis of all negaitive ground vehicles are grounded, usually directly to the battery, if you look at your negative battery cable you will see a large gauge ground that runs to the engine and a smaller wire that goes to the chassis a short distance away, usually the rad support, or close to the battery, anyway.
The "sensation" you felt was the battery volatge running through you, basically you were a short to the battery, except that there is large resistance electrical in the human body, usually in the Mega Ohms. This does not indicate a bad ground somewhere, you were the ground.
If you think that was bad, try 220 ACV (that was the source voltage anyway), going from one hand to the other, that leaves a mark, only ever did that once, kinda lucky I'm still here to tell you about it. I was told that the generator actally idled up when I was flopping around, like a fish out of water.
The "sensation" you felt was the battery volatge running through you, basically you were a short to the battery, except that there is large resistance electrical in the human body, usually in the Mega Ohms. This does not indicate a bad ground somewhere, you were the ground.
If you think that was bad, try 220 ACV (that was the source voltage anyway), going from one hand to the other, that leaves a mark, only ever did that once, kinda lucky I'm still here to tell you about it. I was told that the generator actally idled up when I was flopping around, like a fish out of water.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Car: '83 Z28, '07 Charger SRT8
Engine: 454ci, 6.1 Hemi
Transmission: TH350, A5
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi, 3.06 posi
Originally posted by The_Raven
If you think that was bad, try 220 ACV (that was teh source voltage anyway), going from one hand to the other, that leaves a mark, only ever did that once, kinda lucky I'm still here to tell you about it. I was told that the generator actally idled up when I was flopping around, like a fish out of water.
If you think that was bad, try 220 ACV (that was teh source voltage anyway), going from one hand to the other, that leaves a mark, only ever did that once, kinda lucky I'm still here to tell you about it. I was told that the generator actally idled up when I was flopping around, like a fish out of water.
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Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Central NJ, USA
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
Damn, and I thought it was bad when my trouble light buzzed me. 
After that was over I had to get out my body hammer & dolly to remove my bootprint from the bulb shield...
If you absolutely have to touch the positive cable without first disconnecting the negative (which is why books always say to disconnect the negative first, to remove the ground from the car), either wear gloves or use insulated tools.
When you work on the battery, don't use one hand on the wrench while placing the other hand on the fender. Work with one hand behind your back. If you do get shocked, this'll keep electricity from shooting through your heart- from arm to arm. With one hand behind your back, and while leaning against the fender, the juice would go from your arm to your hip, skipping the 'ol ticker.
After that was over I had to get out my body hammer & dolly to remove my bootprint from the bulb shield...If you absolutely have to touch the positive cable without first disconnecting the negative (which is why books always say to disconnect the negative first, to remove the ground from the car), either wear gloves or use insulated tools.
When you work on the battery, don't use one hand on the wrench while placing the other hand on the fender. Work with one hand behind your back. If you do get shocked, this'll keep electricity from shooting through your heart- from arm to arm. With one hand behind your back, and while leaning against the fender, the juice would go from your arm to your hip, skipping the 'ol ticker.
Last edited by TomP; Aug 5, 2003 at 02:50 PM.
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