grounding point

[sweeneyp]

So Im installing some electronics in my highlander and I need a grounding point near the battery. Only problem is that every bolt i see going into the body is also connected to plastic before entering the metal. I honestly dont know much about grounding, but i don't think that will work.

this is all the bolts near the battery, all enter plastic before metal so i'm not sure if i can use them.
BUT this bolt
that holds the battery down in place is connected to metal that connects directly to the car frame. Will this work as a grounding point?? if not which one should I use.
Sry for the noobish question haha

[KDHL]

Try to find any bolt on the body of the vehicle... I won't tap to the bolt in the picture above.

[peterk9]

Originally Posted by sweeneyp

So Im installing some electronics in my highlander and I need a grounding point near the battery. Only problem is that every bolt i see going into the body is also connected to plastic before entering the metal. I honestly dont know much about grounding, but i don't think that will work.

this is all the bolts near the battery, all enter plastic before metal so i'm not sure if i can use them.
BUT this bolt
that holds the battery down in place is connected to metal that connects directly to the car frame. Will this work as a grounding point?? if not which one should I use.
Sry for the noobish question haha

As long as the bolt threads through metal you will have a grounding point. That it goes through plastic first does not matter but I tend to agree with KDHL about not using the one you indicated. I have actually used the ground cable of the battery on some previous cars I've had. I just soldered or crimped a lug type connector on the wire, loosened the nut that tightens the ground cable to the - battery post, slipped the connector under the nut and tightened it back up. As long as you do not remove the actual cable from the post, I don't think you will affect any software programs entered into the electonics of the vehicle. I would only do this if no other grounding point was available.

Peter

Peter

[sweeneyp]

ok, thanks for the replies, my knowledge of electronics is pretty basic at best so thanks for the heads up on grounding!

[konde.koma]

Originally Posted by sweeneyp

ok, thanks for the replies, my knowledge of electronics is pretty basic at best so thanks for the heads up on grounding!

Remove the black cover that sits over the radiator core support. It is the cover that has the black plastic push-in style locking pins. Just use a screw driver to pry up the round center piece and the whole pin will come out. There are a lot of bolts and areas to use screws that you can ground to. Everything on this car is painted so you will have to sand/scrape away any paint at your grounding points.

There are also factory grounding points along the left and right aprons but depending on what kind of electronics you are installing you may not want to use them in case your accessory back feeds and causes interference to the factory electronics. For example, a long time ago I had a Honda Accord and installed aftermarket fog lights. I grounded the fog lamps to a factory ground point. Every time I turned on the fog lights my radio would pop. You get the idea. It won't happen that way on every car but you have to check.

[konde.koma]

Oh I forgot to mention that if you do sand away any paint make sure you apply a clear coat or rust inhibitor over the entire ground after you bolt/screw it on.

[sweeneyp]

ok, thanks for the info konde. I'm installing a xenon headlight kit and that was interesting what you said about your accord and the radio, thats something else I'll need to check when I'm done with the install. haha Thanks again