Can I replace the hood ground strap with a 14 gauge wire?

[Mike_H]

Electrical issues seem common lately...and I also have a question. As I work through the issues with my own Wrangler, trying to make sure its as reliable as it possible can be, I noticed that the ground strap is broken that connects the firewall to the hood. The only thing I can see that would need power is the underhood trouble light. No Idea why they have a 1/2" wide piece of woven copper to ground the hood.

Anyone else know? Can I just replace that strap with a 14 ga wire?

Maybe its to make sure a lightning strike doesn't electrocute the vehicle? I dunno...seems crazy.

 

[JP98]

The strap is there to keep the hood in connection with the rest of the Jeep. You can replace it with 14 ga wire and be good to go.

 

[Chris]

X2 to the above!

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I'd go braided due to the RF effect of the static emitted by the ignition system. The hood is grounded to help reduce how much of that RF static gets out and cause noise or problems in things like the engine computer, AM radio, and CB radio. RF energy travels on the surface of wiring (called the 'skin effect') and the reason for braided ground strap is to give that RF a better/easier/larger surface area path to ground. Not to mention braided straps flex more easily than even stranded wiring does.

 

[Chris]

Forgive my ignorance, but what does RF stand for? Radio Frequency I assume?

X2 on the braided strap suggestion. It will indeed flex easier than standard wire.

 

[JP98]

Forgive my ignorance, but what does RF stand for? Radio Frequency I assume?

X2 on the braided strap suggestion. It will indeed flex easier than standard wire.

RF is radio frequency. The chamber created by the hood and the body of the Jeep or any other vehicle can cause RFI which is eliminated by the strap.

 

[Mike_H]

Thanks all. I'll pick up some braided copper from NAPA.

 

[BayTJ]

I'd go braided due to the RF effect of the static emitted by the ignition system. The hood is grounded to help reduce how much of that RF static gets out and cause noise or problems in things like the engine computer, AM radio, and CB radio. RF energy travels on the surface of wiring (called the 'skin effect') and the reason for braided ground strap is to give that RF a better/easier/larger surface area path to ground. Not to mention braided straps flex more easily than even stranded wiring does.

Hi Guys! Chris or Jerry or any other experts reading this! How necessary is this strap? Mine just broke and wasn’t sure if it’s a big electrical hazard? I see the point of RFI, but will I be fine if it’s not attached?

 

[Mr. Bills]

I would wager that your jeep will run and drive without it. If your AM radio and CB work just as well then you don't really need it.

Mine was slightly damaged - I replaced it with a piece of tinned copper strap with simple ring terminals crimped on the rolled ends.

Copper strap is available in 10' lengths on Amazon. It took a while for me to use up the last length I purchased so maybe 2 or 3 guys who need some and who happen to live close to each other could buy one length and share. See: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BIBQ940/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Imapepper]

I used the braid from some coax I had laying around.Crimped then soldered for anti rectification purpose.

 

[pagrey]

Ground strap is RF as Jerry stated but has nothing to do with the ignition or any noise generated inside the Jeep. All those components must be properly shielded at the source or operating your Jeep with the hood open would violate the FCC requirements. It is designed to protect the electrics and electronics from strong overhead RF, you know aliens...

or high tension lines.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Ground strap is RF as Jerry stated but has nothing to do with the ignition or any noise generated inside the Jeep. All those components must be properly shielded at the source or operating your Jeep with the hood open would violate the FCC requirements. It is designed to protect the electrics and electronics from strong overhead RF, you know aliens...

or high tension lines.

We're all entitled to our opinions. What can you provide that documents the FCC requires that or that the grounded hood is there to protect the engine compartment from "overhead RF".

 

[pagrey]

Confused Jerry, the FCC requires the Jeep produces no RF interference with the hood in any position, up or down. It is my understanding that if an end user can easily change a device so it creates RF interference the FCC wont allow it. Isn't that your understanding as well? That in itself kinda implies that the RF that the strap is there for is originating from outside the engine bay.

My opinion is that new diesel trucks have the strap and have no ignition system at all but I haven't checked too many.

It is a fact that old cars with fairly noisy ignition systems like my 1960 Ford have no strap. It is my opinion that is because they have no sensitive electronics to fry.

I had to re-read my post, it seems like I'm constantly for lack of better terms "ruffling your feathers" to put it nicely. I know you worked in RF and are a ham as well and as with everything I value your comments.

All I really wanted to state was that removing the strap may be just fine because the hinges still provide a ground but it may also put your electronics at risk when driving near very high power RF sources like high tension lines. All the comments so far seem focused on trapping RF in but overlook the possibility the strap might just serve another purpose on a modern car with sensitive electronics.

 

[Mr. Bills]

You are overthinking this.

It is a simple ground strap that bonds hood, body and most likely the engine block (the strap drops down out of sight so I can't tell where it ends). It is one long strap with ring terminals at either end and another ring terminal in the middle where it bolts to the firewall.

I had mine disconnected for awhile. My jeep ran fine, the factory radio worked the way it should, my CB still transmitted and received, but most importantly the guys in the black helicopters didn't appear above my house and I'm fairly certain that I haven't been issued a citation by the FCC.

 

[Mike Patterson]

I also seem to have a Ground Strap issue possibly. I have been having turn signal/hazard issue's that seem to have started when I unloosened the Engine Block Ground, cleaned and re-tightened it. I have since noticed that the Strap from, it seems the Firewall to the Block broke. The Strap in question mounts to the same spot the "Hood to Firewall" Strap mounts, but goes downward toward the Block Ground location. So 2 questions, (1) Could the lower Strap being cut cause issue's with the turn signals/hazards? And (2), the lower strap attached to the Firewall, Where does it attach to? Is it the Engine Block on the passenger side where the Battery Ground attach's?

 

[John Scoggins]

It is a simple ground strap that bonds hood, body and most likely the engine block (the strap drops down out of sight so I can't tell where it ends). It is one long strap with ring terminals at either end and another ring terminal in the middle where it bolts to the firewall.

X2