Alternator wire - what does it do?

[Macky]

Hi guys, last time I serviced my 350 I noticed a small wire had broken off my alternator. I first thought this was an earth, however I have now found out (the hard way!) that it's a 12v line to/from the battery.

 

Does anyone have a clue what this does and if I am likely to see any faults occur due to it hanging off?

 

I have recently had 2 coilpacks fail on the same cylinder and wondered if this may have something to do with it?

 

Earth was reading a nice low resistance, but cleaned up anyway. Hoping I haven't got a wiring fault further down the line and that it's just a coincidence or maybe this wire caused it.

 

Pics of the wire below.

 

Cheers, Chris.

[Stutopia]

I think it's a suppressor for alternator noise.

 

http://itstillworks.com/install-noise-suppressors-alternators-7525591.html