two ground wires melted/rusted together

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=107785
Printed Date: May 14, 2024 at 5:40 PM

Topic: two ground wires melted/rusted together

Posted By: may_or_may_not
Subject: two ground wires melted/rusted together
Date Posted: September 28, 2008 at 11:27 PM

Previous owner apparently had two amps hooked up, for the fact being there were two 10g power wires running from battery to rear of my truck (I have removed both of those). Also there are two 8g ground wires....that are still attached to body of truck, one on top of the other.

My problem: It seems that the screw that is attaching them both has either melted them together, or it has rusted them together. The screw head is stripped and badly rusted. There are exposed wires coming out from under the screw.

What I'm wanting to know is there any current whatsoever running thru these wires? Can I cut the wires away from the screw without any damage to me or my truck??? Not concerned about the wires.....they're trash!!!

Thanks to anyone who can help!!!!!

***Renee

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may_OR_may_NOT

Replies:

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: September 29, 2008 at 3:16 AM

Where do the wires go? If they are not connected to anything, it is safe to remove them.

Posted By: may_or_may_not
Date Posted: September 29, 2008 at 4:54 AM

They don't go to anything at the moment. I'm assuming they were hooked up to am amp. My only concern is that they are melted together and I didn't want to start cutting away at any wires if sparks are gonna start flying that's all.

I'd rather ask first before I do something stupid. This is my first install so I want to make sure I'm doing it right. So I can go ahead and cut them off and continue to try and remove the screw?

Thanks for the response......and you don't seem like am idiot!!!! posted_image ***Renee

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may_OR_may_NOT

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: September 29, 2008 at 7:33 AM

Yes you can cut them off. As you stated, chances are they were the ground wires for the amplifiers.

Posted By: may_or_may_not
Date Posted: September 29, 2008 at 3:38 PM

Okay, I have cut away and removed the rusty screw attached to the old ground wires. What a mess!

1. Now is it best to use the ground wire coming from my truck?

2. Use the ground wire from my HU, connecting it to the metal body of truck?

3. Or should I attach the ground from my truck directly to the ground to my HU?

*Renee

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may_OR_may_NOT

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: September 29, 2008 at 5:44 PM

When you sat there is a ground coming from your truck, is it a dodge with a braided ground strap? If so or even if not, any of the ways you listed above should be adequate to ground your radio.

Posted By: may_or_may_not
Date Posted: September 30, 2008 at 5:39 PM

No, I have a 2000 Ford F-150.

I've decided to attach ground from HU to one of the two grounds from my truck, and tape up the other ground not being used.

After that step is done, Ishould have tunes.....RIGHT???? and if I don't what would be the problem?

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may_OR_may_NOT

Posted By: kassdog
Date Posted: September 30, 2008 at 5:44 PM

Well if you have power(constant, switch, ground) then your golden. If you have everything connected and don't get anything, check the power/fuses. If the radio powers up but no sound check the speakers. I don't believe there is an amp in those so that would be out of the question.

Posted By: may_or_may_not
Date Posted: September 30, 2008 at 6:41 PM

Okay, I'm headed out to my truck to see what happens! Wish me luck. If all goes well and I have tunes then you guys won't have to listen to my stupid questions anymore!! posted_image

*Renee

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may_OR_may_NOT

Posted By: may_or_may_not
Date Posted: September 30, 2008 at 8:20 PM

Do I need to disconnect battery to connect ground from HU?

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may_OR_may_NOT

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: September 30, 2008 at 10:02 PM

We are SUPPOSED to tell you YES.

Posted By: may_or_may_not
Date Posted: September 30, 2008 at 10:10 PM

Okay, so I'm SUPPOSE to disconnect battery when hooking my HU ground wire.......but suppose I didn't!!! Would any harm be done?

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may_OR_may_NOT

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: September 30, 2008 at 11:51 PM

Posted By: may_or_may_not
Date Posted: October 05, 2008 at 8:07 PM

Well, I did it....I now have tunes in my truck!!!!! Many Thanks to all that responded!!!!

***Renee

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may_OR_may_NOT