What is the heavy black wire attached to the base of the starter?

Purpose?.

I do not have such on my 1986 13B, which starts readily. Yvon.

That could be a ground wire Yvon. Don't forget this is a plastic
airplane.

That's what it is!

--
Perry J. Mick
Duckt N7XR

It is a very good practice to have the ground wire there because of the
high current the starter takes even with a steel frame airplane.  You do
not want that current go through engine components like ball bearings,

it

would damage it.

And a good ground strap to the airframe if it is steel.

Rino

Do I understand correctly? A ground strap or wire from the engine block to
the steel firewall PLUS another ground strap or wire from he starter base to
the steel firewall?. My Zenair Zenith is mostly aluminum but the firewall is
steel sheet. Yvon.>

A ground strap or wire from the engine block to
the steel firewall is sufficient. Same as almost all cars.

Paul Lamar
 
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