Where is the ground on the V6 for the negative battery cable (Page 1/2)
Carlin AUG 18, 07:45 PM
I have a 1986 Pontiac Fiero SE V6. When I got it only the positive battery cable was hooked up. The negative isn't connected. Can someone share a video or photo of where the ground is. I think its on the engine block but don't know where.
1985 Fiero GT AUG 18, 09:08 PM

quote
Originally posted by Carlin:

I have a 1986 Pontiac Fiero SE V6. When I got it only the positive battery cable was hooked up. The negative isn't connected. Can someone share a video or photo of where the ground is. I think its on the engine block but don't know where.



The negative battery cable attaches to the farthest right front head bolt (the only one that is a stud), along with a braided ground strap that goes from that stud to the stud (I think 13mm nut) on the chassis side of the right trunk hinge (circled in picture)

Vintage-Nut AUG 18, 09:14 PM
Ground G501 a 'special" stud with a nut on the forward cylinder head {right head} near to the oil dipstick...

If you have the factory service manual; page 8A-201-3, Figure E
------------------
Original Owner of a Silver '88 GT
Under 'Production Refurbishment' @ 136k Miles

[This message has been edited by Vintage-Nut (edited 08-18-2025).]

Carlin AUG 18, 09:33 PM
could you get a closer photo of the bolt. would help since my engine bay is a bit of a mess
Carlin AUG 18, 09:35 PM
i mainly need it cuz there are quite a few bolts in that spot because of the hinges for the trunk
Carlin AUG 18, 09:42 PM

quote
Originally posted by 1985 Fiero GT:


The negative battery cable attaches to the farthest right front head bolt (the only one that is a stud), along with a braided ground strap that goes from that stud to the stud (I think 13mm nut) on the chassis side of the right trunk hinge (circled in picture)



hey so i forgot to quote you on my 2 messages. just sending this just incase
Patrick AUG 18, 09:43 PM

quote
Originally posted by Carlin:

could you get a closer photo of the bolt... i mainly need it cuz there are quite a few bolts in that spot



As was previously mentioned, there should only be one stud sticking out of the head.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 08-18-2025).]

Carlin AUG 18, 09:50 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

As was previously mentioned, there should only be one stud sticking out of the head.





ok, ill check it out tommower and let you know know if I get it hooked up. but i have one more question. what are those gray lines coming out of the bolt. I don t have those
1985 Fiero GT AUG 18, 10:19 PM

quote
Originally posted by Carlin:
ok, ill check it out tommower and let you know know if I get it hooked up. but i have one more question. what are those gray lines coming out of the bolt. I don t have those



The circled stud in my picture is the chassis side of the ground strap, a seperate braided non insulated cable (the silver thing coming from the stud circled) that connects the engine to the frame, it is not where the battery cable goes, the battery cable and the other side of the braided cable attach to the head, near the dipstick, not an easy place to get in to get pictures of.

In regards to anything else, don't try and compare my engine bay to your stock, there isn't much that has remained untampered with.

Here are some better pictures, this is The chassis end of the ground strap (silver braided wire) where it attaches to the hinge (red circle):



This is my best picture of the battery cable/ground strap mount on the head, albeit this is not how it should be set up, as I'm using arp head studs that aren't long enough to mount the cables, instead I'm mounting them on a different stud. The red circle is where the 2 cables should be mounted, you can just see the head of the stud there, at the absolute front right corner of the valve cover. To assist in location identification, the green L is the engine lifting loop, also highlighted in green in the picture above. The blue is the ground strap, with the battery cable underneath, that should be going to the red circled stud.
Carlin AUG 18, 10:56 PM

quote
Originally posted by 1985 Fiero GT:


The circled stud in my picture is the chassis side of the ground strap, a seperate braided non insulated cable (the silver thing coming from the stud circled) that connects the engine to the frame, it is not where the battery cable goes, the battery cable and the other side of the braided cable attach to the head, near the dipstick, not an easy place to get in to get pictures of.

In regards to anything else, don't try and compare my engine bay to your stock, there isn't much that has remained untampered with.

Here are some better pictures, this is The chassis end of the ground strap (silver braided wire) where it attaches to the hinge (red circle):



This is my best picture of the battery cable/ground strap mount on the head, albeit this is not how it should be set up, as I'm using arp head studs that aren't long enough to mount the cables, instead I'm mounting them on a different stud. The red circle is where the 2 cables should be mounted, you can just see the head of the stud there, at the absolute front right corner of the valve cover. To assist in location identification, the green L is the engine lifting loop, also highlighted in green in the picture above. The blue is the ground strap, with the battery cable underneath, that should be going to the red circled stud.





ok. that makes a lot more sense. Now you did say the 2 wires need to go onto that one stud. I'm I going to need to buy the silver cable to get it to work properly.