[haypixie]

I have a 2001 Ford Taurus LX that has been having electrical issues. I just realized that both of the negative cables are ran to the firewall and I assume it should not be this way. I have no idea how it is supposed to be can someone please help me. I'm a single female without no help and not much education when it comes to cars. Thank you

 

[rjacket]

Firstly, to use the correct terminology, the part of the body that they are attached to is the fender not firewall. The firewall is the back of the engine bay that separates the engine bay from the passenger compartment.

Yes the longer cable does not belong there. Depending on whether you have the Duratec (known as 24v or 4v) engine or Vulcan (2v) engine, it grounds somewhere else.

The location is either step 5 or step 6 on the attached. Hopefully someone else can provide better pictures of the location and advise on accessibility but generally speaking the longer cable goes to the left.

Please note that the attached are removal instructions. You need to follow the instructions in reverse to do a correct installation.

For safety, you should disconnect the negative cable entirely from the battery first and put it somewhere where it can't touch the terminal. Then take the longer cable and attach it to the location in step 5 or 6 as appropriate. Then reattach the negative cable to the battery.

 

[rjacket]

You can also see pictures of other 2001 Taurus engine compartments here:

2001 Ford Taurus Engines | GTCarLot.com

gtcarlot.com

 

[chartmaker]

You can also see pictures of other 2001 Taurus engine compartments here:

2001 Ford Taurus Engines | GTCarLot.com

gtcarlot.com

Agree one needs to know where that wire was attached on the other end. Possible the ground strap from the engine to the firewall is bad and this was a "BandAid".
Attached is my block diag. of the power as seen on G-4's seen from the front of the car.
Maybe this helps.
-chart-

 

[rjacket]

I think from chart's diagram in post above this one it is #6, the black cable from battery to starter and that OP has Vulcan 2v engine.

 

[haypixie]

I have a 2001 Ford Taurus LX that has been having electrical issues. I just realized that both of the negative cables are ran to the firewall and I assume it should not be this way. I have no idea how it is supposed to be can someone please help me. I'm a single female without no help and not much education when it comes to cars. Thank you View attachment 222569

Yes I have a Vulcan motor. No jack. Thank you will try first thing in the morning.

 

[rjacket]

Yes I have a Vulcan motor. No jack. Thank you will try first thing in the morning.

If you can reach it and there is nothing wrong with where it should attach, then it's an easy fix.

If not, then a competent mechanic should fix it in a few minutes and charge you fairly or not at all.

Btw, I realized that there is a very honest mechanic not too far away from you. May be useful if you ever run into bigger problems.

Rainman Ray's Auto Repairs
1035 26th Ave E unit b, Bradenton, FL

He has quite a successful youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7qMMY6UJHpNakTDMz6vVXQ

 

[helifino]

This is the ground location on the transmission (04 Vulcan):

This is where it's located in the engine compartment:

 

[haypixie]

This is the ground location on the transmission (04 Vulcan):
View attachment 222576

This is where it's located in the engine compartment:
View attachment 222577

Awesome. Thank you!

 

[haypixie]

Do I need a rachet to get it unbolted from the wall? If so what size? My needle nose pliers are just stripping it. The bolt that is

 

[chartmaker]

Do I need a rachet to get it unbolted from the wall? If so what size? My needle nose pliers are just stripping it. The bolt that is

One need a quarter inch drive set. Cheap. Might find the tab on the firewall is hard to get a socket on. I use a piece of wood and pump it down a bit to get straight line access. Need an extension from the ratchet to the socket.
See pic.
-chart- .

 

[rjacket]

Don't forget to disconnect the negative battery terminal completely and tuck it out of the way and even cover the negative terminal with something non metallic for safety.

 

[chartmaker]

Don't forget to disconnect the negative battery terminal completely and tuck it out of the way and even cover the negative terminal with something non metallic for safety.

Where grounds attach to the body, there are two parallel grounds, so if one is disconnected at a time, the system is fine. One ground to the fender, one to the engine which goes to the firewall.
-chart-