bonnet earth strap

[shikta000]

just changed my bonnet and in the process the earth strap snapped...i've spoken to a mechanic and we came to the conclusion that its a mystery why there is a need for it...any comments? cheers

[Horney]

I believe it's to help with Radio interference, well that's what a VW tech told me anyway.

Nick

[Khare]

when the car is in motion, air particles brush past the car. This causes the car to build up on static electricity. if the car is not earthed properly, then when it comes into contact with otehr metals or objects it releases a spark. This could be dangerous if you for example, go to a petrol station and acidently you brush the pump with the cars bodywork. this may cause a spark to jump to the pump and, well, blow up 

[bigman_10]

what he said ^^^^^^. A level physics does come in handy sometimes. the electrons are pulled of the fast moving air particles so the bonnet becomes negatively charged and then the negativly charged bonnet wants to discharge causing a spark and if the nearest earth point for the bodywork is the petrol pump... good night vienna!

[shikta000]

hah...yeah that thought came across my mind as well...it was while watching a doc about stephen hawking and quantum physhics...great minds eh?

[daniel-1986]

mine has snapped as well only noticed it wen i was fitting my alarm (as i have earthed it to where the strap should be) and was wondering y i was getting a shock everytime i closed the door

[Thom89]

The earth cable is there for radio supression purposes! if the above statements were correct, then these cables would be fitted to doors and tailgate!! It simply helps contain any unwanted RF signals generated by the cars ignition, and other electrical components that lay under the bonnet... tune your radio to a MW station, with the earth disconnected, and you will hear the difference!
Tom

[tobz.]

I agree with Nick and Tom earth strap is there to reduce radio interference. That's why the beesting aerial was developed in the first place, to get the aerial away from the higher power 16v ignition system!!!

[JC]

so as mine is snapped it might explain my sh!te radio reception then 

This place is great 

 Off to raid the lecky day for a new earth lead