Battery Issue - 85 Silverado

[cwindham]

Hey Guys,

I have an issue connecting a battery to my truck. I had an old battery in it and I would have to jump start it b/c I am not driving it everyday. So I am thinking the battery is just old and I need a new one. I had no issues though, throw a jump on it and it would start right up. Well My pops had a new battery and I put it in there. Well I try to hook my negative to it and it constantly sparks. I didnt even notice it at first and I was wrenching it down and smoke starting coming up from the driver side panel (inside the hood not ineterior) so I hurried up and took it off b/c it was burning something up. So pops came over tapped the negative to the battery and noticed the constant spark and told me it could be one of two things... solenoid switch is sticking or starter is.

(keep in mind I am not engine literate so I am new to this)

I do not want to question him (hes a mechanic since birth type ) but I just wanted to get some input from you guys as well. I just dont understand how it would be fine with the old battery then when I put a new one in and it would start this mess.

So if anyone can throw some knowledge this way I would appreciate it. btw it is a 1985 chevy silverado c/10

Thanks

[ont_guy_38]

Sorry read again and my answer was not relevant

[motornut]

if it's stuck you can reach down and turn the crank pully it should pop out
seen this both with toasted fly wheel teeth
or the area the small gear slides across to engage the flywheel,rusts and keeps it half in or out
take the starter off and bench run it
make sure it works and not clicks and sometimes works.....
also check the batt cable isn't twisted around burnt/shorted out on something else

[stroker87]

Originally Posted by motornut

also check the batt cable isn't twisted around burnt/shorted out on something else

+1

sounds like you have a grounded cable some place

[cwindham]

Well the only cable I have grounded is the negative cable for the battery. Nothing else has been touched.

[stroker87]

Originally Posted by cwindham

Well the only cable I have grounded is the negative cable for the battery. Nothing else has been touched.

check to see if the positive battery cable has any missing, cracks, burns & etc in the outer protective cover

its possible the positive cable is touching metal some place and grounding out

[cwindham]

Ill be sure to check that out.

[silvereagle07]

You said you saw smoke coming from the drivers side of the engine or the firewall? If the negative cable is arcing, you could possible have a huge battery draw. Find out where the smoke is coming from (fuse panel, harness, fusible link). The draw could come from any number of things like the starter, stuck ignition switch, interior lights, aftermarket radio...etc. You can also check the draw by hooking up a dvom set to amps between the negative cable and the negative post. It should read less than 50mAmps or .050 on the amp scale. If you see a draw start disconnecting the fuses or components in question. Good luck.