K/5 Electrical help needed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Leinie · 01-19-2003, 01:51 PM

My truck wouldn't start after work Friday. Turn key- nothing
I figured starter solenoid. I crawled under and dropped the starter only to find the big + cable had rubbed raw on the starter's heat shield.
Since it was already off, I had the sterter tested ( OK ) and reinstalled with a new cable.
I started it up and backed out of the shop.
About 5 minutes later it died.
I looked and found the - battery cable arcing near the terminal. I pulled on it a bit and it broke off.
I replaced the neg cable and when I did, both new cables started melting off the insulation
What did I do ?
Any help appreciated, I gotta get this thing going today so I don't end up walking to work tommorrow. Thanks

Longhorn Man · 01-19-2003, 02:23 PM

Double check the cables...make sure the positive isn't touching something...like a header or exhaust pipe.
Sounds like the pos cable is grounded out to me.

Leinie · 01-19-2003, 02:32 PM

The new + cable was routed very carefully. Both new cables were- now they're toasted. WTF?

JimKshortstep4x4 · 01-19-2003, 03:13 PM

It would take a pretty serious short to toast the battery cables. It almost has to be a dead short of the cables or a dead short in your starter. Since the main electrical feed for the electrical system is a #10 wire, anything fed off that could not short without smoking the #10 wire. (There should be a fusible link in that circuit anyway).

I would recheck the cables and the starter.

Good luck!

Jim

Leinie · 01-19-2003, 06:38 PM

The wire to the fusable link is fine, but the new battery cables are both ruined. I don't see how the starter could cause this because it was not being used when it happened. The engine was running. I don't want to get new cables and melt them down too. I'm really confused. HELP !

da-burb · 01-19-2003, 09:38 PM

Leinie, if your cables didn't short out, then it can only be your starter. Looks like a new starter, solenoid and cables will be needed.

Leinie · 01-19-2003, 10:02 PM

Thanks guys

01-19-2003, 09:38 PM	#6
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	Leinie, if your cables didn't short out, then it can only be your starter. Looks like a new starter, solenoid and cables will be needed. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

01-19-2003, 01:51 PM	#1
Leinie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA Posts: 2,613	K/5 Electrical help needed My truck wouldn't start after work Friday. Turn key- nothing I figured starter solenoid. I crawled under and dropped the starter only to find the big + cable had rubbed raw on the starter's heat shield. Since it was already off, I had the sterter tested ( OK ) and reinstalled with a new cable. I started it up and backed out of the shop. About 5 minutes later it died. I looked and found the - battery cable arcing near the terminal. I pulled on it a bit and it broke off. I replaced the neg cable and when I did, both new cables started melting off the insulation What did I do ? Any help appreciated, I gotta get this thing going today so I don't end up walking to work tommorrow. Thanks

01-19-2003, 02:23 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Double check the cables...make sure the positive isn't touching something...like a header or exhaust pipe. Sounds like the pos cable is grounded out to me.

01-19-2003, 02:32 PM	#3
Leinie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA Posts: 2,613	The new + cable was routed very carefully. Both new cables were- now they're toasted. WTF?

01-19-2003, 03:13 PM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	It would take a pretty serious short to toast the battery cables. It almost has to be a dead short of the cables or a dead short in your starter. Since the main electrical feed for the electrical system is a #10 wire, anything fed off that could not short without smoking the #10 wire. (There should be a fusible link in that circuit anyway). I would recheck the cables and the starter. Good luck! Jim

01-19-2003, 06:38 PM	#5
Leinie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA Posts: 2,613	The wire to the fusable link is fine, but the new battery cables are both ruined. I don't see how the starter could cause this because it was not being used when it happened. The engine was running. I don't want to get new cables and melt them down too. I'm really confused. HELP !

01-19-2003, 10:02 PM	#7
Leinie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA Posts: 2,613	Thanks guys



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