Positive or Negative Ground?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 498
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
1998 C43, 2017 Honda Accord Sport
Positive or Negative Ground?
Hey Guys,
So my C43 has been staying warm this winter in an underground garage. I go out and start her and let her run for a while about 1-2 times a week. Went to do it this past Friday and she wouldn't start (fun).
I bought a booster/portable jump pack. Those instructions say connect positive-positive and negative to a chassis ground.
The w202 manual says positive-positive and negative-negative.
So I assume the w202 is a negative ground system? Can anyone confirm before I potentially fry something?
Also curious where there are chassis ground points near the trunk area...never noticed any.
So my C43 has been staying warm this winter in an underground garage. I go out and start her and let her run for a while about 1-2 times a week. Went to do it this past Friday and she wouldn't start (fun).
I bought a booster/portable jump pack. Those instructions say connect positive-positive and negative to a chassis ground.
The w202 manual says positive-positive and negative-negative.
So I assume the w202 is a negative ground system? Can anyone confirm before I potentially fry something?
Also curious where there are chassis ground points near the trunk area...never noticed any.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Del Rio, TX
98 C43,99 gsxr 750
The battery is grounded right next to it's self. If you follow the ground cable you'll see it. You can connect it to the bolt holding the ground wire or the negative side of the battery. Doesn't really matter.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 498
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
1998 C43, 2017 Honda Accord Sport
Gotcha. Never noticed/saw the bolt before. Figure it was a negative ground but never hurts to doublecheck. Thanks!
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 636
Likes: 29
From: MN, USA
C43 5.4, ML320CDI, Fords
There is no such thing as a positive ground. You can hook up to battery - post or to a good ground. The reason some say not to go right on the battery ground is when you hook up there is a spark and a weakened battery could be venting a lot of the gasses and risk of explosion. Hooking to chassis ground last, you are making the spark further from the battery.
If you use a chassis ground make sure its a good ground, not painted etc.
If you use a chassis ground make sure its a good ground, not painted etc.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 789
Likes: 55
From: Henrico, Virginia
2014 ML350 4Matic
There is no such thing as a positive ground. You can hook up to battery - post or to a good ground. The reason some say not to go right on the battery ground is when you hook up there is a spark and a weakened battery could be venting a lot of the gasses and risk of explosion. Hooking to chassis ground last, you are making the spark further from the battery.
If you use a chassis ground make sure its a good ground, not painted etc.
If you use a chassis ground make sure its a good ground, not painted etc.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 636
Likes: 29
From: MN, USA
C43 5.4, ML320CDI, Fords
Any DC circuit has a power and ground, two separate things. By definition, a ground cannot be a power source or "positive", it is impossible. I think what you're trying to say is these cars may have used the frame and engine block for positive power source like cars of today use it for a ground. If that is the case then it is no longer a ground. A ground is the completion of the circuit plain and simple, there is no such thing as a positive ground. In the case you are referring, the ground as we know it would not be the ground on those cars, it would be like a very large voltage distributor.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
'97 c36
+1
this is done in the older tractor and semi-truck industry. My fathers older kenworth truck was way. All the switches in the cab were switches for the grounds since all the electronics had voltage. Never knew they ever did this on cars.
this is done in the older tractor and semi-truck industry. My fathers older kenworth truck was way. All the switches in the cab were switches for the grounds since all the electronics had voltage. Never knew they ever did this on cars.
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