Ground Wire on engine???

[gcmarshall]

2006 E-tec 60HP

I noticed recently that there was a loose wire under the engine, and upon further inspection, realized that it clearly was originally attached to a connector which is on the engine mount. Am I correct that this is some sort of ground wire? How crucial is it for me to reconnect it? (I know it is common sense to reconnect it as clearly it is there for a reason, but it is difficult to do with the boat in the water, and really don't want to haul up just for that)

[John from IL]

Is this a thin stainless steel cable? Those are bonding wires and help to prevent corrosion.

The only other ground wires on the engine are copper-cored and have black plastic insulation. There are only 2 other connection points for those, one on the ground stud fore the main battery cable (near starter solenoid) and the other is on the bottom bolt for the bottom ignition coil.

-John

[gcmarshall]

It had insulation on it, and I saw what looked like the remains of a loop connector on the the engine mount. I will take another look and give a better description.