Enhancing Grounds [WAS: starter replacement reminder]

[urq]

There's no question that validating and enhancing grounds is one of the
first things on the list when dealing with electrical issues in an Audi,
especially as it gets older, but ... 

... you didn't mention where you replaced the braid ... if you're talking
about near the engine mount, I hope that you replaced the engine mounts with
solid blocks at the same time.  The ground "braid" is called that for a
reason ... a solid copper wire will not last nearly as long as braided cable
and I would strongly recommend not adopting this change.  

As far as current carrying capacity at "DC" there isn't going to be any
difference between solid and braid.  The braid is considerably more flexible
and will not work harden and break as quickly as a solid conductor will.
This can easily be demonstrated by taking a length of solid bare wire and
one of braided wire of the same gauge and bend them back and forth to see
which breaks first.  

Another thing to beware of with heavy gauge solid wire is that crimping
terminals is not as effective.  If you do use heavy gauge solid wire, I'd
recommend soldering to ensure a good electrical connection.  

While there is no question that braided wire should be used anywhere the
wire will be flexed or vibrate over time, I use braided wire for just about
any automotive application.  In fact I just added the direct grounds to the
tabs on the tail light panels on the urq a couple weekends ago ... and I
used 10 gauge braided wire ...

Steve Buchholz

-----Original Message-----
After being driven crazy trying to figure out the intermittent electrical  
problems with my first Audi ('81 4000) I finally was able to  solve 
everything by adding extra ground wires (If you have an electrical  problem 
......It's the brown wire..dah!). My list of problems was long but the  fix
was 
easy. Wire brush all major ground connections. then...
 
1. Replace the braided Ground with a new  (solid wire)  ground.
2. Add a 2nd ground from the battery to the starter bolt.
3. Add a #10 wire from the battery to the major interior ground post (next  
to your left knee cap)
 
Years ago I made a bunch of $ buying non running Audi's & VW's and  
installing about $20 worth of ground wires.....presto! It runs.
 
Starting with my '88 80 Q  I haven't had a ground problem, but  then, I 
live in a salt free environment ....which helps.