Unidentified loose wire from alternator

[lachiek]

Hey, hoping some bright sparky can identify this wire and attached thing which has come loose near the alternator.
I want to know what it is, what it does and does it look broken? If not I'll zip tie it somewhere safe...

Cheers, Lachie

[Bigrig]

Not sure what it is for mate, but from that second shot, it looks like it has borken off a mount. I'd be tieing it up in the interim just to be safe.

[lachiek]

Thanks mate, yeah it's definitely snapped off. Can't find where it was mounted and no idea how it broke - protected position and weighs about 10 grams!

[BillsGU]

Looks like a Radio Interference suppressor. It looks like a piece of the mounting bracket has broken off (probably due to vibration). You will most likely find the rest of it under a screw somewhere within the radius of the length of the wire. Get another one from Repco / Supernotsocheap / Autowhatsit or any auto elec.

[Dhuck]

Looks like a Radio Interference suppressor. It looks like a piece of the mounting bracket has broken off (probably due to vibration). You will most likely find the rest of it under a screw somewhere within the radius of the length of the wire. Get another one from Repco / Supernotsocheap / Autowhatsit or any auto elec.

My thoughts exactly

[big_fletch]

Looks like a Radio Interference suppressor. It looks like a piece of the mounting bracket has broken off (probably due to vibration). You will most likely find the rest of it under a screw somewhere within the radius of the length of the wire. Get another one from Repco / Supernotsocheap / Autowhatsit or any auto elec.

That's exactly what it is.. It's a noise suppressor.. the wire will run to the main battery bolt on the back of the alt and the unit just bolts to earth.. they are used to cancel out small voltage spikes ect that might cause interference (like static in radio)..

[lachiek]

You guys are legends thanks! Turns out I've been looking to replace my aerial cause the reception is so bad...

Shouldn't it still work even though the mount broke off?

[BillsGU]

Nope - it wont work unless one end is earthed (the case) and the other end is connected to the power rail (+12 volt). With it not connected you may get alternator whine - a noise in the radio (and even in the CD player in some cases) which gets worse as you rev the engine.

[lachiek]

Thanks mate. I think you just saved me buying a new aerial!

[MS29431]

Dont mean to flog at dead horse but yeah
it' s a noise supressor