Rocker Cover Earth Lead

I've seen a lot of posts stating how important this is to avoid all kinds of electrical problems arising. However my gti has never since I bought it nearly 11 years ago had this earth lead. Nor to my recollection did my previous gti. Has anyone else got cars without the lead but with their electrics working fine? :dontknow:

I think the engine should be well and truly earthed through the alternator which has a direct connection to the battery.

If there were problems I think it would only effect senders, oil temp, water temp etc, as they rely on the engine being earthed.

I have tried earthing the rocker cover to fix a funny temp gauge and it made no odds. Changing the temp gauge did!

I have disconnected the earth lead.

Peter.

my gti didnt have an earth lead and none of the mfa functions apart from outside temp work so i stuck one on and it did bugger all.
all it reads is - - - except for oil temp wich permanently reads 146!

cant see that it makes any difference in my motor.

Steve

Haven't got one on mine either - currently have no earthing problems . Maybe something only fitted to late mk1s  :dontknow:

Both our '87 GTI and '89 Clipper have got the earth fitted….
as shown in these pics of Walt's car…(' cos it's cleaner than ours :posh: :posh: !!)

      

So if you dont have one fitted, what can you use to make one (or are they dead cheap new)? would like to see if this does anything to my crazy mfa (ever the optimist!)  :wink:

cheers

VW do them for about ?5 If memory serves me right!

Just reviving this post as it's cleared up my "where does this random wire go" question. Maybe my rev counter will work even when I turn my headlights on?
Just another question, unrelated but posted elsewhere on here, anyone know the size of the retaining nut on the oil cooler? it's got to be 24ish? or bigger?

Hi.

This is the same one i found in my engine bay. Once connected though my clock remembers what time it is.

Andy.

I'm so pleased, after connecting it the rev counter works with the headlights on and the clock remembers the time too! I wonder if my mfa works?!
I've noticed that my alternator's not earthed either, I should sort that out shouldn't I?

I'm so pleased, after connecting it the rev counter works with the headlights on and the clock remembers the time too! I wonder if my mfa works?!
I've noticed that my alternator's not earthed either, I should sort that out shouldn't I?