Random (grounding?) wire on heater

[Gatheringminds7]

Hi! I have a 6 window shorty and not sure what this wire is. I’m including a pic of this random wire that connects a screw from the on board heater housing to the floorboard bolt on the back seat. These bolts do not run all the way under the bus, it’s held in place by a rail system. The wire does not seem to connect to anything inside the heater. I’m keeping the heater, but wondered if this wire is necessary to the heater function? Is this an important grounding wire? Has anyone seen this before? Looks like it’s put in pretty half*ssed…

[o1marc]

It is not neccesary for the heater function. I can't see any reason for it.

[Danjo]

Maybe they had a ground issue with the thing and added that as a fix?

[Gatheringminds7]

Yea…That’s what I was worried about. I was hoping it was superficial but I guess that’s unlikely.
So a grounding issue… like there was excess static charge while the heater was running or something? I’m not even sure how to google it to learn more…

[Danjo]

I came across a similar issue with a tail light. The negative wire seems to be broken somewhere, so the mechanic that fixed it just grounded it to the frame.

[Murfpcola]

I am a newbie so I will ask, does that heater have antifreeze running through it? Replaced a radiator on a truck I owned and it did not last long. My mechanic buddy said make sure to reconnect the ground strap to keep any stray current/ electrolysis from causing a leak

[jimmythomas]

I think it's a ground wire for the heater -- the heater is screwed to a wood floor and needs a solid ground - the seat bolts may bolt to some steel.
The heater blower can draw a pretty big current.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by Murfpcola

I am a newbie so I will ask, does that heater have antifreeze running through it? Replaced a radiator on a truck I owned and it did not last long. My mechanic buddy said make sure to reconnect the ground strap to keep any stray current/ electrolysis from causing a leak

Yes, the heater has coolant running through it.

[Rwnielsen]

That's is a ground bond. It's there to maintain a ground path in the event something is loose or not mounted correctly. They used to put those on engines in cars, maybe still do.