Alternator ground wire

I had posted on a different thread about a mystery ground wire. Maybe this post solves my problem faster. Can someone tell me that the only thing connecting to the back of an e46 alternator (323i) is the red wire and the electrical connector? If this is true, where is the ground wire?

The case of the alternator grounds to the engine block.

Originally Posted by kylo123

I had posted on a different thread about a mystery ground wire. Maybe this post solves my problem faster. Can someone tell me that the only thing connecting to the back of an e46 alternator (323i) is the red wire and the electrical connector? If this is true, where is the ground wire?

Really? The alternator is grounded through the case and the huge metal brackets that hold it to the side of the motor.

I was trying to help the OP in another thread find out where his random unconnected wire attaches to.

It was a long time ago, OP, so if there's not a connection for it...my mistake.

Put a link here to your other thread...and if you an get a better picture of that loose wire where it attaches, someone will know.

Also, you're assuming it's a ground wire...it might not be.

Originally Posted by dmax

I was trying to help the OP in another thread find out where his random unconnected wire attaches to.

It was a long time ago, OP, so if there's not a connection for it...my mistake.

Put a link here to your other thread...and if you an get a better picture of that loose wire where it attaches, someone will know.

Also, you're assuming it's a ground wire...it might not be.

Might not be? It absolutely is not.

The alternator is grounded through the case. There is a fat wire that goes to the starter to a lug that is shared with the wire from the battery, with a stop over at the B Post, and there is a small wire that goes to the Charge Light that if there is voltage on the wire it holds the Charge Light off, and if the voltage goes away then the charge light comes on.

No, I mean it might not be a ground wire...it might carry power/signal. Sounds like you might be right about this wire going to the charge light, JD...don't recall it, but don't doubt it.