Help! Where does this wire go?

[Oldmogman]

Can anyone help me trace a stray under-bonnet wire?

Just noticed a stray black wire coming out of the harness near the fuel pump and wiper motor (see pic - it's the black wire draped across the body of the pump), but there's no connector on the end of it and no indication as to where it should go.

However, I was alerted to the stray wire by the smell of fuel and a little puddle under the pump when I turned on the ignition, so I'm inclined to think it should go to the fuel pump.

There's a spade connector under the knurled knob terminal on the end of the pump where the white wire from the same harness goes, but no trace of the female end of the connector.

There's also a spade connector at the other end near the outlet, but it seems unlikely that the wire would stretch here?

Would someone be able to take a peek under the bonnet of their Minor - and perhaps also advise whether there's any connection(!) between the broken wire and the puddle of petrol? Did the broken wire cause the leak?

Thx all[frame][/frame]

[aupickup]

thats the earth to the body of the fuel pump
there would have been a connector on the end, looks like your wire has been cut short

[Oldmogman]

Thanks Aupickup, but I don't think so - there's a separate earth wire at the inlet/outlet side, with a wire screwed to the body of the pump and the battery box.

The loose wire in the picture has been placed in that position to ensure it can be seen in the photograph. It was actually hanging down at the points end of the pump when I noticed it. And besides, it's too short to reach the terminal at the inlet/outlet end!

[ManyMinors]

Since you have an earth wire going to nothing AND a visible earth connection on the fuel pump which appears to have no wire attached to it, I think we can safely say that aupickup is correct in his diagnosis. The pumps were originally fitted with 2 earths - belts & braces I suppose

[moggalot]

The 'puddle' is probably a leaking fibre washer under the filter plug. Try tightening it first (don't need to remove the pump) Its the brass plug at the bottom of the pump on the left.

[andy.pointeer]

Hi

see photo as on my car there is a black wire comming from wiring loom with the white that goes to the pump. The black wire then goes to the body of the pump and then to the battery box under one of the pump mounting bolts.[frame][/frame]

[amgrave]

That black wire you have unconnected, don't think of it as going to earth it might be from the earth supplying other things

[moggalot]

I agree. I don't think it is a case of belt and braces - it is probably an earth termination for something else, taking in the fuel pump on the way.

[bmcecosse]

It is as shown above, earth security for the pump and the wiper motor.

[Oldmogman]

Actually, from Andy Pointeer's pic it seems as though the two black wires are piggy backed into the same connector for the earth.

Thanks guys - I stand corrected - it does seem to be a back-up earth for the pump!

I will solder a new female spade onto the end and refit.