Positive ground???

200

Asked by GuruW8W2R May 17, 2018 at 12:04 AM about the 1969 Datsun 2000

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Acquired a Datsun 2000 that has been in storage for 12 years.  Starts and
runs, but the battery will not charge.  The battery is wired positive ground!!   
The installed battery was dead beyond recognition.  Installed a new battery
the same as the original was connected.  Starts and runs, but how can it
possibly charge if the battery is wired backward?  Didn't the auto industry
convert from positive to negative ground in 1954?  So some idiot installed
the battery wrong.  Interestingly, the grounded cable is RED.   

1 Answer
200

GuruW8W2R answered 6 years ago

OK, as I thought. It is a negative ground. Some dunderhead used a red cable for the ground and a black cable to the starter solenoid, then some other idiot installed a battery according to cable color. What is worse than one fool? Two fools! Fortunately, no electronics in this car to be fried by reversed polarity.. Starter worked because the motor doesn't care about polarity due to how it is designed. Alternator didn't notice 'kuz a mouse ate the alternator wires.

Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Related Questions

Shortcuts

Search Datsun 2000 Questions

CarGurus Experts

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.