Do bad grounds kill computers?
 

Bosch wrote the book on electronic fuel injections for the world to follow. Some of these systems are 20 years old!I noticed on the newer Japanese and American vehicles,any critical fuel and ignition components (injectors,map sensors,hall sensors etc),the grounds are run back to the inside of vehicle.European manufacturers were notorious for grounding all circuits directly to the body or the motor, where they are exposed to the elements(cheap?)Would future problems with critical electrics be rectified if the grounds were taken out of the engine compartment ,and ran to the inside of passenger compartment where its clean and dry?Can the computer be destroyed by resistance in the grounds, to the various sensors?Any computer electrical engineers out there?Just a thought.James

You're right about the need for good clean (good continuity) connections, not only ground connections but all connections. Something we should be checking as a matter of periodic maintenance on our older cars. Maybe someone has established, thru experience, a procedure or check list for each model that details where all the connections are that need inspection and cleaning. Also, the method of cleaning, what solvents, contact cleaner, and oxidation inhibitor to use. I tend to think that silicone grease as a good inhibitor but a terrible conductor. There are other substances designed specifically for this task that promote good continuity as well. I found some minor corrosion on my DME connectors, especially terminal #1 which leads to the negative side of the coil, so I set about cleanig all sensor connections. It made a small difference in performance. Anyone out there already done this? We could use some expertise here.

The best way to test for bad connections is to use voltage drop testing. I have seen many cases where using an OHM meter across connectors (circuit off) that showed to be fine, but when you apply power to the circiut and get the heat buildup from the current, it will fail. You should see .00-.03 MAX drop across all connectors with the circuit operating. (this includes ground circuits) You can buy a special type of chemical, which I cant remember what the heck it is called, in which you put a couple of drops in each terminal and it chemically etches the terminals together for a good connection. (it comes in a small super glue sized tube and i know NAPA has it.) sp-7, paz-22 or something like that!!!!!
Marc