Starter Problem "Smoke"
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
Starter Problem "Smoke"
2000 Expedition 5.4
Here is what happened to me with a recent starter problem. I hope someone has some ideas.
Problem
• intermittent starting problem
Strategy
• remove starter , disassemble, clean, reassemble
• replace starter solenoid relay
After reinstalling everything I was hooking up the battery and the ground strap that is attached from the firewall to the engine block tuned bright red and smoke started coming from the wiring harness that travels across the firewall to the drivers side of the truck. I quickly removed the battery positive cable to stop the fire from starting.
Next I put the old starter solenoid relay back on the truck and removed all the connections from the starter and tried to connect the battery again to see if there may be an internal short in the starter. No smoke or fire or any hot wires.
Next I removed the starter and took it to 2 auto parts stores to have it tested.
Store #1 said it failed due to a voltage issue and I needed to replace the starter solenoid which they did not have in stock
Store #2 tested the starter and everything is working fine
I’m not sure where to go from here. I could just replace the entire starter but I’m not sure that will fix the problem. I hope someone can point me in the right direction
Thanks for your time
Jason
Here is what happened to me with a recent starter problem. I hope someone has some ideas.
Problem
• intermittent starting problem
Strategy
• remove starter , disassemble, clean, reassemble
• replace starter solenoid relay
After reinstalling everything I was hooking up the battery and the ground strap that is attached from the firewall to the engine block tuned bright red and smoke started coming from the wiring harness that travels across the firewall to the drivers side of the truck. I quickly removed the battery positive cable to stop the fire from starting.
Next I put the old starter solenoid relay back on the truck and removed all the connections from the starter and tried to connect the battery again to see if there may be an internal short in the starter. No smoke or fire or any hot wires.
Next I removed the starter and took it to 2 auto parts stores to have it tested.
Store #1 said it failed due to a voltage issue and I needed to replace the starter solenoid which they did not have in stock
Store #2 tested the starter and everything is working fine
I’m not sure where to go from here. I could just replace the entire starter but I’m not sure that will fix the problem. I hope someone can point me in the right direction
Thanks for your time
Jason
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 2
From: Southern Cal
Obvious a direct short and the "fuse" became your firewall ground strap. It sounds like your solenoid is stuck on and/or the winding in the starter are bound up tight and won't move, causing direct current to flow right thru the circuit.
I wouldn't mess with the starter, just pick up an new/reman unit and re-install, hoping you didn't do damage to your wiring harness as well.
You must have caused a binding when fixing it yourself as it did work before, if even just intermittently.
I wouldn't mess with the starter, just pick up an new/reman unit and re-install, hoping you didn't do damage to your wiring harness as well.
You must have caused a binding when fixing it yourself as it did work before, if even just intermittently.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
smoke from wires is NEVER a good thing, I would have a good look at the wiring harness before hooking the battery back up. Almost a guarantee you will have bare wires, which if it doesn't cause a fire will most definitely give you more electrical headaches than you could ever imagine. good luck...
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