Small wire leaving positive terminal

[SDTOWPRO]

Does anyone know what this wire is for??? It leads to a 5 amp fuseholder...
Battery temp sensor maybe???
This is a 2023 Equinox LS.
Thanks in advance.

 

[bagbyjw]

I'd like to know also, I've tried to trace it back and got nowhere.

 

[rjenkins221]

The led underhood light I installed, ran the hot wire from that post

 

[TopHat]

Possibility, I found this for another vehicle:

"
The small wire attached to the negative battery cable serves an important purpose. It’s commonly referred to as a shield ground. Let me explain further:

1. Shield Ground: The smaller wire connects to the vehicle’s body and acts as a ground for shielding purposes. While the engine has various connections to the body, they might not always be tightly connected. This small wire ensures a good electrical connection between the engine and the body. It helps prevent interference and ensures proper grounding.
2. Other Ground Straps: In addition to the small wire at the battery, there may be other ground straps connecting the engine and body. These additional straps serve similar purposes, maintaining proper grounding throughout the vehicle.

Remember, maintaining good electrical connections is crucial for the overall performance and reliability of your vehicle. If you encounter any issues related to the battery or charging system, it’s essential to check these connections and ensure they are secure1

 

[TopHat]

I found this for 2011 Equinox so presumably works for all years. Ground wire.

 

[bagbyjw]

Original post stated small wire coming off the POSITIVE terminal. Has anyone got any idea why?

 

[ravenblack67]

That wire goes to a fuse and then to the ECM or BCM, depending on design. It is a battery sense unit. It controls the output of the alternator based on battery health.

 

[bagbyjw]

That wire goes to a fuse and then to the ECM or BCM, depending on design. It is a battery sense unit. It controls the output of the alternator based on battery health.

Thank you for the information, very helpful

 

[Jinxed]

Does anyone know what this wire is for??? It leads to a 5 amp fuseholder...
Battery temp sensor maybe???
This is a 2023 Equinox LS.
Thanks in advance.


View attachment 2335

It’s a part of your battery sensor module that measures volts and helps regulate your battery. It’s connected to a ghost fuse which will put your car in reduced power mode or limp mode if your battery voltage is too high, too low, the battery becomes too hot ect. This is extremely important to your car since your steering is electric, your brake booster is also regulated through this. I had my battery sensor module go out due to a small short circuit in the dimmer switch and my wheel was jerking back and forth I thought I needed an alignment, then my alternator wasn’t working right and I lost all lights to my dash had almost no power steering, my brakes were hit and miss on if they worked right , I would have power and horrible gas mileage but my battery voltage was normal 13.5-14.5 in my car. Or I would be losing power and my battery voltage was 11.3-12.5 and had great gas mileage. I took it for a diagnostic and no DTC except dimmer switch low voltage passenger side. It’s on the drivers side. My transmission started running rougher and still the dealership couldn’t find anything wrong no codes but the dimmer switch. Finally I replaced the alternator, the battery changed my oil it was black the next day burnt replace it again checked every fuse every quick connect myself then started following the wiring harnesses, found one wire a little blotchy with obvious signs of scorching followed it to, yep that’s right my head light dimmer switch I pulled it out and it was so corroded it was amazing that it wven worked. Plugged it back in to run to the store and my check engine came on for the first time. It wasn’t just a low voltage it had been short to ground and was triggering that ghost fuse to put my equinox in limp mode but the short had damaged the harness and while it was diverting power to reduce the load on my engine it wasn’t able to trigger a DTC or DIC warning light. Unfortunately this is fairly common with the battery sensor mod. It can cause a lot of damage and six months later a brake booster, BB vacuum pump, bb sensor, alternator, 2nd battery sensor module, new battery, new cpu, new dimmer switch, new wiring harness x 3, new radio, new BCM and almost every sensor in my car as well as throttle body cleaning and new fuel pump and filter and oil pressure solonoid switch I’m still having stuff going out from the damage of the unregulated voltage from that battery sensor going out. It’s a 2019 1.5 L turbo fwd less than 70000 on it. This all started at 24,500 miles. The dealership just pulled the 5 amp fuse and replaced it told me that’s all I needed to do… DONT DO THAT! It’s designed to protect your engine and electrical components resetting the fuse allows higher voltage to surge to everything and it causes damage maybe not today or the next but in a week something will fail and then the following week and the following week ect, I hope this helps prevent someone from doing as I was told and now I have spent more in parts than I have in car payments the past 6 month’s. Once you fix one another fails from the change in power going to everything again.