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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 04:13 PM
  #1  
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I need a quick answer please.

I have a 250 Inline six that ran great this morning, I came home and parked it, then an hour later went back out to start it, and nothing!
Checked the battery it was fine, replaced the starter, solenoid, and voltage regulator. Checked all connections.
Then I went to start it (it didn't turn over) and the positive post started smoking! So, I went to ****** the cable off, and (with the key in my pocket) it tried to start up! BTW, it melted a hole on the side of the positive post! What could cause this???????? If it matters, this is a 76 Maverick not my truck.
Thanks guys.
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 04:43 PM
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Your main ground wire is not making a connection. Clean it on the frame and engine block. You probably need to replace the cable
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 04:47 PM
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Thanks Dustybumpers! I'm gonna try that right now! I'll let you know.
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 04:53 PM
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Just take a jumper cable from the - post to the block, and see if it starts
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 05:15 PM
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Ok, I clean the grounds and tried the jumper cable and still nothing.
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 05:49 PM
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Make sure your hooked up right. + to solinoid,- to engine block and frame.

Also check, there should be a 10 ga wire from the -post to the body
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 05:59 PM
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Check your fuseable links, you may have burnt one up. Just tug on it, if it comes apart, or streaches, it's bad
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 07:04 PM
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Originally Posted by dustybumpers

Also check, there should be a 10 ga wire from the -post to the body
I don't have any wire going from the -post to the body. I'll make sure I get one in the morning.

Originally Posted by dustybumpers
Check your fuseable links, you may have burnt one up. Just tug on it, if it comes apart, or streaches, it's bad
I'll check those also.

Thanks for all of your help! I'll post the outcome in the morning.

BTW, I checked the battery with my meter. With it disconnected + & -, it reads 13 volts....Installed in the car, it reads only 1. Any ideas?
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 07:23 PM
  #9  
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Sounds like you have a dead short
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by dustybumpers
Sounds like you have a dead short
Okay, now that sounds very bad! I'm not sure what it means, could it be a fusible link or something more serious?
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 07:32 PM
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Are you sure you hooked the battery up correctly? Easy to do.
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by dustybumpers
Are you sure you hooked the battery up correctly? Easy to do.
Yes, I'm positive.
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 07:45 PM
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Do the head lights light?
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by dustybumpers
Do the head lights light?
I'm going out to the garage and check now.
 
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Old Oct 15, 2012 | 08:10 PM
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Okay, first the lights do come on. Second, while I was out there I decided to try to start it again and I have know idea why, but it started up! The only problem is, the starter didn't disengage and it would not shut off with the key! I had to pull the cable.
 
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