Best place in engine to use as ground?

So with jumper cables and now my portable air compressor, I'm just wondering where's the best place in my engine to use as a ground connection.

1998 5VZ-FE

Thanks

 

if it has a engine hook in the front id use that.
look at a pic id use the throttle bracket. make sure the eng is grounded at the fire wall though.

 

negative battery post?

 

that may spike the ecm and fry it. always ground elsewhere so ive been told. it make since though.

 

I've always been told to never connect the black cable of jumper cables and whatnot to the negative terminal



There's also this bracket on the driver's side of the block. It bolts down below and to the top of the intake manifold (?) In my picture it's half removed because I was changing the plugs... but in the diagram it's the part labeled "17125"

 

Cool thanks man. Is the engine ground (on the firewall) that black wire bolted to the firewall in the upper portion of the pic you posted, just left of center?

 

Well ya learn something new everyday! Thanks for the tip, I will be sure to use it next time

 

as long as it is easy to get too. if you have a meter you can measure the continuity of the ground. the idea is to use aground that doesnt have a direct path to the computers
ie the neg bat post. using the frame or engine gives it a larger path to absorb the initial spike of connecting the cables. so use what is easiest to get to that has good continuity.

 

The reason for not using the negative battery post is not to avoid spiking the system... that can happen any time and is why the "jumping" vehicle should not be revving when connecting the cables.

The reason is that when the 2nd cable is connected, it will spark due to the difference in voltage between the dead battery and the jumping vehicle.

Sparks near a battery is not good, as batteries can offgas hydrogen...

Boom.

 

yes there may be another or two. the alt should have one and maybe your intake manifold.

 

agree

 

Thanks for the info guys.

I think I'll just connect it to the throttle cable bracket.

 

i dont have cables i bought this. to help others and it is an emergency power 4oow inverter also compressor for tires. cost 99. and i like it.

 

So is both the boom and death of a ecm the manufacturers purpose to not use the negative terminal of the battery?

 

It's the boom.

The death of the ECM is why they say to connect the cables with the boosting vehicle either at idle, or I believe my manual says, OFF.

 

My manual says revving?

 

When cranking, but not when making the connection.

I've seen at least two manuals that advise to make the connections with both vehicles off, then start the booster and rev for a few minutes, then hold and attempt to start.

 

Correct. That is one of three ground connections. One is strait off the alternator I believe and the per is in the harness that comes of the neg post.

Honestly tho after tearing my whole truck apart..the ecu really isn't that far. Infect it's rot behind that found on the firewall. Plus the harness that goes to it is actually quit short coming off the block.

I have never had issues wth jumping strait off the battery. And I have done it a lot