Burnt up ground wire!
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Burnt up ground wire!
I've got an 85 bronco, 351w with a c6 transmission. Recently I noticed that a green ground wire running from the negative battery terminal to the ignition module was burnt up a little and wouldn't allow the truck to start. I went to Napa and got some replacement wire. I got some 16 guage, as it seemed to be the closest in size, green as well, then I put it on...
I could hear a quick buzz coming from the wiring bunch when I turned key to ON position. It started fine but man that green wire was dancing! Kinda recoiled from the voltage upon start up and it was a bit hot.
Started it for a second time and sure enough it burnt worse than before. I'm talking full on BBQ mode.
My first thought is ignition module ,but, inquiring through the extremely valuable Bullnose brain trust has saved me more than once. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.
I could hear a quick buzz coming from the wiring bunch when I turned key to ON position. It started fine but man that green wire was dancing! Kinda recoiled from the voltage upon start up and it was a bit hot.
Started it for a second time and sure enough it burnt worse than before. I'm talking full on BBQ mode.
My first thought is ignition module ,but, inquiring through the extremely valuable Bullnose brain trust has saved me more than once. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.
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From: Virginia
You have a problem with your main large ground wire going from the battery negative to the engine block. Because it's not doing it's job, the starter is using the little green wire as a ground and of course that little green wire can't handle the current of the starter and it smokes.
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Thank you for your reply billabongboy73 I'm working on getting my pics loaded having a hard time, and thanks frankin2 I recently noticed I had a bad battery with a loose post, but after I changed it out the small green wire mounted to the fender still burned up but after a lot more trys than last time, I'm going to replace the main negative as you suggested but it looks like its running to the cross member and not the block I'm still investigating it, once again thanks alot !!
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From: Virginia
That main battery negative needs to go to the engine block. The power hog is the starter, so it get's the largest wires. Once you do that, you probably will need to run some smaller wires from the engine block to the firewall and the frame.
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Thank you for the feedback!!! As you guys suggested I changed out the main negative running from the battery to the post were the alternator is grounded to and then replaced the other negative main meeting at that post running to what I believe is the cross member, the previous owner had a 2 gauge running from the battery and a 6 gauge running from the cross member and I could only find 4 gauge as a replacement and I've completely took out the green wire, I haven't had any issues yet, any more feedback upon this issue is still greatly appreciated !!
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From: Virginia
The above is not the factory location, they would put them directly to the block. But as long as that bracket they are bolted to keeps a good connection to the block, it should be ok like that. The factory spot for the negative wire is somewhat hard to get to.