Ground strap under the hood - 2002

[John_in_VA]

I know the E28 & E30 had a similar ground strap, but is this one from the hood hinge to nose panel still available?  Part #?  Thanks in advance.

From page 65-11/4:

[Simeon]

For radio interference? No idea but you should be able to find s generic braided strap. Is it a big deal except for AM radio?

['76mintgrün'02]

I looked under the hood yesterday and there is indeed a hole for that strap.

I am curious why one might need to ground the hood.

It seems like that would happen through the hinges, but apparently not very well...

[zinz]

My '72 has ground straps at each hood hinge and from inner fenders to outer front fenders. Never figured out why... but I bet we are about to find out.

 

Stay tuned to Radio KFAQ for the latest news on this Ground-breaking story.  

 

Ed

[John_in_VA]

1 hour ago, '76Mintgrun'02 said:

I looked under the hood yesterday and there is indeed a hole for that strap.

I am curious why one might need to ground the hood.

 

If there's a hole for it, we need the part!  The recent post with a page from the parts catalog had me thinking someone might find a number for it.

Radio interference reduction is what comes to mind, and that can be handled with resistor spark plugs.  If the E24/28/30 strap is of comparable size I might look into one - thought it might be a conversation starter next time the hood is up!

[Son of Marty]

1 hour ago, John_in_VA said:

Radio interference reduction is what comes to mind,

Yes it could be added to reduce interference with the AM band, probably after everything else was tried, on E28s it was part of the heated wiper spray nozzle option so I guess that grounding through the hinges was marginal at best. 

[jgerock]

Think I have only seen those on tourings - never a regular 2002. Most likely something that was never put back when the hood was removed.

[Stevenola]

The straps were included as part of the radio installation kit back in the day.  So probably not a BMW part number.  My car has a Becker and the kit included a hood ground strap, a valve cover to firewall strap, an ignition coil doohickey, and alternator doohickey and a voltage regulator doohickey.  So as mentioned above a thin generic braided strap would do it.

[jgerock]

They remind me of the ground straps on some 70's and 80's Japanese cars.

[PaulTWinterton]

6 hours ago, zinz said:

My '72 has ground straps at each hood hinge and from inner fenders to outer front fenders. Never figured out why... but I bet we are about to find out.

 

Maybe...signal lights are grounded to the outer fenders.  The outer fenders were seam-sealed (caulked) to the body (no metal to metal contact) and attached with bolts. Yes, they had the solder to the nose too.  But I'd say that grounding can be disrupted by the seam-sealer, paint, rusty bolts and broken welds.  Hence a ground strap as back up.  Whadayathink?

 

Another thing:  I use my AM radio to listen to local Sports stations.  I get static and haven't been able to eliminate it.  I'd like to try the straps. 

Edited September 2, 2016 by PaulTWinterton

[nutbehindthewheel]

What would the hood have to do with the radio reception ????

 

Alt noise remedied by resistor plugs, but the bonnet ????

[Simeon]

The vibration of electrically 'floating' (ungrounded) panels can be heard as low frequency interference. If the panel is bonded to the cars ground it goes away. In theory...

[jimk]

My hood ground strap is on the right hand hinge like the photo.  It was installed at the factory and painted with the car.  (Y'all know why I know it was done at the factory.)  The radio was installed there too.

[Buckeye]

30 minutes ago, jimk said:

My hood ground strap is on the right hand hinge like the photo.  It was installed at the factory and painted with the car.  (Y'all know why I know it was done at the factory.)  The radio was installed there too.

JimK, is it possible to post close up picture of tat ground strap. is it braided, strand or solid wire?

 

General question for electrical gurus: for modern radio is that ground strap is needed or not?  

[OriginalOwner]

Well, I'll be SWO'ed ..... on my '74tii there is actually that hole on the right side for that ground strap !!  I've been looking at that spot for how many decades and have never "seen" that hole !!  Absolutely amazing.

 

Cheers,

 

Carl

 

Edited September 4, 2016 by OriginalOwner