Engine Ground Locations

[sixerguy]

The '88 535i I just picked up has some slight engine bay differences from my '86 635csi. On the 635 there's a 36" thick negative lead that goes form the negative battery terminal to the motor mount bracket (btwn alternator and starter); then there's a short ground strap from the neg batt. terminal to the body. On the 535 the negative battery lead connects to the body only (where the 635's ground strap would connect to the body).

I'm seeing the same ground strap on both cars connecting from the rear of the valve cover to the firewall.

On the 535i is there a second ground strap/ to the engine? I'm just not seeing it. It seems like the engine grounding scheme on the 635 is superior...

[shogun]

thread moved to sub forum. I assume it is an E28, as 1988 E28 and E34 were built. Here are the wiring diagrams https://shark.armchair.mb.ca/~dave/BMW/

[sixerguy]

I reviewed the ETM PDF and from that document it looks like there is only the main negative battery cable that connects to the left fender ground location, which this 1988 US spec car has. The PDF does not show the ground strap from the firewall to the rear of the valve cover, which of course the car does also have. The PDF does not show any additional grounding to the engine. Basically the PDF doesn't actually show the engine being grounded at all. Am I misreading the PDF or just lookiing in the wrong section?

I'm pretty sure at some point, maybe on mye28.com or elsewhere, I saw a discussion about a large ground lead that went from the battery negative all the way around to the right side of the engine motor mount, but I can't seem to find that thread.

Can anyone comment specfically on how many and what type of grounds are attached to the engine in a stock setup late model 535i?

------------------------update:
I found another ground strap attaching from the right side of the motor mount. A little daylight does wonders...