V60 2011 1.6 diesel negative cable

[Bantamdave21]

Hiya

Can anyone point me to where any cable or cables may be from engine to body? I’m having a starting issue when warm which appears to be linked to poor earths. When I jump cable from battery negative stud to the engine the problem is cured and charging voltage is up to 14 volts which was another issue I was having with what appeared to be low charge output.

I could and probably will fit a cable from Earth stud of battery to a suitable point on the engine but would rather find the proper one and correct properly.

Thanks

[Tannaton]

If I recall correctly the cable runs directly from the -ve terminal of the battery and splits in two - one length going to the body (I think near the nearside strut top) and the other to the engine via a gearbox/engine mounting bolt. This is based on Volvo's in general - might not be quite like that on the V60.

You should just be able to follow the cables, the lengths are short.

Much, much better to find the cables and fix any bad connections than bodge on another cable.

[Bantamdave21]

That could indeed be the issue….I only have one cable from the neg terminal of the battery which as you rightly say runs to the top of the strut area.

I assumed there must be a gearbox to chassis bond or similar thats breaking down. I did see a used cable for sale that appeared to have an extra cable that I assumed would run to the enigne block or gearbox. But it did look like an extra DIY type cable. I was a bit worried about adding one (BUT i will as it seems to fix my other issue) as it would appear to bypass the BMS sensor (which I can’t figure out what it does or how, it looks like a shutn measurement device?)

Thanks

[Tannaton]

I think you're right - just had a look on my XC60 and there is just one negative cable from the battery to a grounding post below. There's like a braided metal strap earthing the engine - not sure where this is on the 1.6D but I'd check the gearbox to engine bolts.

Interestingly I found this on ebay - it might be the one you referred to ? Looks like someone has had the same problem at some point!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274777449...kAAOSwPEBgQke5

[Bantamdave21]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

I think you're right - just had a look on my XC60 and there is just one negative cable from the battery to a grounding post below. There's like a braided metal strap earthing the engine - not sure where this is on the 1.6D but I'd check the gearbox to engine bolts.

Interestingly I found this on ebay - it might be the one you referred to ? Looks like someone has had the same problem at some point!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274777449...kAAOSwPEBgQke5

That is indeed the one I’m referring to. But I suspect that may cause other issues with the BMS as it would take the sensor out of the picture. The experience I have of BMS systems albeit on boats is that to work they need the BMS sensor on the single and only path from the negative stud to earth. If I can’t find where it should be I’ll fit one in a suitably robust place…

[Bantamdave21]

Found an existing Earth from front of engine near gearbox housing. Looks ok so either it’s breakdown down when warm or there another that is. Couldn’t quite get in to swap it so added another from engine block near fuel filter up to passenger strut area where main battery cable lands. Volts at battery now when running 14.5 - never had that before. So hopefully intermittent starting when HOT also cured.

Hopefully of some use to someone else in the future.

[GaryP]

The 1.6D may not have the dedicated earth for the engine. The 1.6 is the only engine used in the S60/V60/XC60 that isn't designed by Volvo. It's a Peugeot HDI engine originally.