405 earth fix?

dvhttn · Unread post by **dvhttn** » 23 Feb 2005, 04:02

Hi,
Seen a few refernces to poor earthing on the 405s. Got a list of the earthing points but not seen any info about a fix. I *assume* that all you need to do is make sure that these earthing points actually *earth* (good cable/connections etc) and/or run a longer cable to a good earth point?
Cheers in advance.

PowerLee · Unread post by **PowerLee** » 23 Feb 2005, 12:29

Hi
Normally you just undo the 10mm bolt, clean up the paint behind, a small amout of copper grease & stick it back together.
However, If you have the nasty plug on earths there is a modification you can do.
CUT THE SODDING THINGS OFF ( What a crap design! ) & crimp + solder some ring terminals on, Remove the earth fingers from the body shell & use the 10mm bolt & a serated washer to put it back together.

dvhttn · Unread post by **dvhttn** » 23 Feb 2005, 23:17

Hi,
Thanks for the answer - it was basicaly what I was expecting! The old man gave me a soldering set from Crimble so it may well come in handy ....

Cheers

PowerLee · Unread post by **PowerLee** » 24 Feb 2005, 00:08

Hi
The earth fingers are awful, The ring terminal & serated washer is so much better.
Also the battery terminals are rubbish too, A pair of round clamp terminal is much better, But you would need a beefy soldering iron to solder those on, Or remove the leads from the car & use a blow lamp.
One other thing, Depending on how old the 405 in question is, If you want to see a really really rubbish design, Take a look at the 3 large loom connectors behind the passenger side headlamp.
Male terminal against another male terminal, They never give any trouble ( Yeah right! )

dvhttn · Unread post by **dvhttn** » 24 Feb 2005, 01:20

Cheers Lee.
I'll take a look at some stage. The 405 is a pre-facelift (just) car. On the headlight side I must admit that the main beam must be the best I've ever driven with! And the bulbs are just cheap 60/55W things .... I will check though ..
Cheers

PowerLee · Unread post by **PowerLee** » 24 Feb 2005, 01:36

Hi
What model is your 405?
There are two different kinds of headlamp fitted.
The sporty & high spec models get a extra main beam driving light fitted with a H1 bulb that the low spec cars miss out on.

dvhttn · Unread post by **dvhttn** » 27 Feb 2005, 04:23

Hi,
Mines a GTDT (urbo). After your post I checked and it does have the extra bulb so that explains the superb lighting on main beam.
The battery terninals/earth connection look sound as well so maybe someone has already sorted that out but I will check more closely when it gets a bit less miserable on the weather front! It all works at the moment ...
Cheers

PowerLee · Unread post by **PowerLee** » 27 Feb 2005, 15:40

Hi
Yes the GTDT was a high spec model & will have the extra H4 main beam light fitted.
The GTX / GTDT was one spec down from the top sepc MI16

fastandfurryous · Unread post by **fastandfurryous** » 08 Mar 2005, 03:04

It's very obvious looking at a lot of the electrical connectors on a 405 that they were designed for speedy assembly on the production line rather than for long-lasting reliability. A soldering Iron and supply of end-terminals is almost essential equipement for any car of that age...