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Technical Earth strap/lead 2012 3.0

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Technical Earth strap/lead 2012 3.0

rolopolo

rolopolo

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Morning folks,
As the vans now out of warranty, she's decided to play up, occasionally upon start up (95% of time a flick of key and she's running) but occasionally mainly when warm she turns over, coughs, farts and dies and feels like the engine is doing a summersault, maybe twice this happens, then third attempt she fires like a new van.
Had another courier with same yr and engined Ducato say it's the earth lead, dealer thinks it could be, but wants to book her in and charge me for the pleasure most probably.
Have heard earth leads mentioned in past,

Does this seem a plausible diagnosis

And where and how easy is it located and can Baboon hands here replace it without complicated tools/ramps etc :)
Cheers for any advice,
Neil
 
Baboon hands are often doing Ducato repairs where the sign says "Fiat professional service".
I am only familiar with the ground strap on the battery that can be replaced within a few minutes, but I guess Fiat buys the engine ground strap from the same supplier. The crimp tool used on the chassis terminal tends to make a hairline crack that causes current loss.
 
I had this problem on a 57 plate 160. I arrived at a customers to deliver something and parked on their gravel drive out in the sticks. When I went to leave, the van would not start. It would turn over and over but not fire up. This had been happening intermitant for about 3 weeks. Luckily I was with the AA and they sent somebody out to me in the middle of nowhere. The mechanic who knew what he was talking about found the problem straight away. The power from the battery was correct but by the time it got to the starter motor it had diminished. It turned out that the braided earth strap was badly corroded. Luckily he had a heavy duty earth strap/lead from a truck that was about 2 foot long. Bolted it on and no problems since. I no longer have that van as I now have the 2014 Ducato 180. Dont know if this one has a braided earth strap but I will check. Good luck.
 
Cheers guys, I might just make use of AA (hello my names Neil and I'm a workaholic!) and see if they can sort it lol, my mate had same and AA had a spare strap and solved his, I pay enough for a service I never use :)
 
You will see the earth strap if you look straight down behind the air filter housing. It is only short and comes off the gearbox on to the chassis.

EDIT.........borrowed picture
get-attachment.asp
 
Last edited:
I too have the failure to re start first go when the engine is hot. I have some 70mm welding cable that I will fit this week, it should be less prone to corrosion being insulated.
 
I've done mine today but I won't be having a run for a few weeks so don't know if it will cure the hot start. I did ten starts in a row and all fired on a quick count of 3 with no hesitation. I'll reply again later.
The old earth
CA_11191415383176-XL.jpg
 
How easy was it to do mate? Can baboon hands here manage it without removing the engine or needing a ramp! Lol
 
And is yours a 3.0 euro 5? Just wondering if it's same strap/length if not
 
Mine is 2008 3.0 litre. I cannot see yours being different but there is no harm in using a longer length
 
Try it and see.
In my experience jump leads are often poor quality copper or even copper plated as they get used rarely. You also need to terminate whatever you might use with correctly done crimp lugs. Have you got the means to do that?
 
Finally got it sorted,
Had her serviced yesterday, 200212 miles, slightly early but radiator had developed a new coolant outlet! A hole :(
The earth strap was loose, so they cleaned it up and tightened
So hopefully better warm starting
 
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