Earth Strap?

[JezGTI]

Whilst tinkering with my MK2 8V this weekend I noticed that the earth strap  (or at least that's what I think it is) at the rear right of the engine bay, bolted between the side of the engine bay and the bonnet, has corroded and come loose.  I assume that has some function but can't see anything not working as a result.  I'll replace it but just wondered if anyone knows what it's supposed to do?

[Blue MK2]

yep mine was snapped.

Just gives the whole car a good earth i recon. Nothing major

[JezGTI]

Could it have any affect on the MFA functions?  About a month ago the miles, MPG, and average speed suddenly started working for first time, then after a few days I lost them again,  sounds like a bad contact somewhere, maybe this strap??

[rubjonny]

Yup, I'm pretty sure most MFA probs are fixed by reattaching the earth strap.  Just reconnect it anyway, if VW put it there in the first place then you can bet it was probably for a good reason

[JezGTI]

Hope you're right!  Any idea where I can get a replacement strap from??

[turbo]

the dealer....they are about ?8 i think they could be more.....i know there dear as my bro got one ages ago........

just make one yourself get some black electrical wire and some round crimp connectors and make your own
cut a piece of wire crimp 2 of the round connectors 1 at each end and bolt it on the car......not only have you made it cheap you can also make loads more if they snap or corrode this is what my mate did....works the same if not better than the copper vw strap.......!

heres a connector which you need a round one depending on the bolt size... you will need to get the right size but this is the sort.. all theses bits can be brought from halfords.......
heres the sort

and abit of black wire that hay pressto youve saved money and you can make plenty more.....

[bishthefish]

i threw one away a while ago..typical, i might habve a nother soon though as i picking up a scrap valver to get some bits off.. i'll let you know!!!

[JezGTI]

Cheers bish, but I just got one from VW, ?7.95+Vat.  Made no obvious difference but better to be safe than sorry s'pose.  Thanks again for your help guys.

[GTIMKiiJODE]

I might be wrong but i dont think that is an earth strap, isnt it a safety strap to harness bonnet if it flies open at speed. Thats what i thought it was because mine has snapped as well. Maybe i am wrong will look into it.

[modulater]

It is a supression strap and it earths the bonnet to the rest of the car so that you dont get static electricity building up as the car travels through the air.

It doesn't effect any MFA functions or anything like that and the main reason it is there is to stop radio interference.