May be a dumb question but sometimes the dumb questions need to be asked. There is this braided metal ground strap that one end gets bolted to one of the mounting points on the Coil and the other end gets bolted to the inside of the frame rail above the cruise control unit on the driver side of the engine compartment. I know this is an electrical ground but what is it a ground for? The ICM, the coil, the entire engine, what? And what would be the issue with not having it? What would it affect?
I ask because I was wiping down the engine compartment last night and noticed that this strap had broke and I have no idea how long it's been like that or what it may have hurt. Car seems fine and I do plan to replace it tonight, but I just never knew the reason or purpose for this ground strap. Help?

 

It is there to help provide a good ground potential between the engine and the chassis. Ground load will be shifted to other grounds if it is not connected and may cause overheating of them. Possible erratic operation of electrical components could result.

 

Ok, cool. Just never knew. I had a feeling you'd be the one to answer me. Your website had helped me countless times. BTW - I have my new window motors in thanks to you.

 

Which sometimes can lead to engine fires when a metal fuel line is grounded instead of this line. Just ask a person I know who forgot to hook this strap back up on there older truck.