Battery Ground Location? (Newbie here)

[SouthATX]

Hi
Greetings everyone. Thank you for letting me join. I bought my 88 2WD 2.0 a few months ago. The other day, it would not start. I finally discovered that there is a ground cable hanging below the engine. See attached pic (sorry for bad quality- cable end is in right hand part of pic). I looked at other posts and found a few about the ground, but I'm not sure where it finally attaches. Is someone able to tell me where this should be bolted back on? I appreciate any advice anyone has to offer. Thank you in advance. - KG

[royster]

Hi, SouthATX, and welcome to the forum.

That likely bolted to the frame near the front of the engine. Look down and see if there is a bolt on the frame that seems to have no purpose.

The two photos following are from my '90, so I'm not sure that the configuration is the same, but it gives you an idea.
From the frame, the cable continues to the engine block.

21284 21285

[geezer101]

Hi and welcome to mightyram. There is a threaded bolt hole in the side of the block under the A/C mount (it's sort of in line with the mounting bracket bolts but set back a bit) The bolt has a hefty sized head on it too - 17mm. Everything is going to need a big clean to ensure a solid ground. Use non caustic oven cleaner and an old brush - it will make short work of it (having a pressure washer will help too) This would be a good opportunity to go through and check all the ground leads and clean the crud off them. Bad grounds cause all kinds of electrical glitches.

[SouthATX]

this is great info! thank you both!!!!