Hot Battery Cable
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New User
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Hot Battery Cable
I have a 48 ford F1, flat head 6 with positive ground. Engine is now slow to turn over and cable to the start solenoid/relay gets burning hot. Any help or direction to existing thread greatly appreciated.
Roy
Roy
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Not sure of the gauge, it looks like the original. I am going to replace both battery cables the solenoid and the cable to the starter. All connections look clean so I am at a loss unless its the starter which I had rebuilt 3 years ago. The cable from the solenoid to starter felt like it had some breaks in it and was wrapped in a lot of electrical tape but on inspection it was breaks in cable housing not the threads.
Roy
Roy
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: NJ
You say "engine is now slow to turn......". Did it turn over OK before? Did you change anything? If the answer is no to both questions, check your terminal connections and clean them thoroughly and tighten. If you changed the cable, check the answer above.
Later!
Mr. Ed
Later!
Mr. Ed
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Bothell & Silverdale, WA
Hi Roy, welcome.
A hot wire indicates very high resistance. It is trying to act like a fuse. Which cable is getting hot, battery to solenoid or solenoid to starter? As stated above, the wire size should be AWG 1-0 or 2-0. Welding cable is the best because of it's flexibility and extremely low resistance.
A hot wire indicates very high resistance. It is trying to act like a fuse. Which cable is getting hot, battery to solenoid or solenoid to starter? As stated above, the wire size should be AWG 1-0 or 2-0. Welding cable is the best because of it's flexibility and extremely low resistance.
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Mr Ed: I had the starter rebuilt and the truck would fire up with a quick push of the button. End of summer last year this problem started with no other changes. I will make sure all connections are clean and tight, thanks for replying.
I love the idea of welding cable thanks Bob and Jolly Roger Joe.
Roy
I love the idea of welding cable thanks Bob and Jolly Roger Joe.
Roy
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Clitherall, MN.
Make sure all the grounding points are clean too. Went through that bit with mine. Most frustrating.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,357
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From: Central PA
This happened to my 70 f350 three years ago. The solenoid was bad. The current could not get through and the cable from batt to solenoid got smoking hot. Replace the solenoid. they are cheap.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
You're losing a lot of current somewhere. Maybe the cables, solenoid, or neglected grounds, maybe a bum starter.
Once they start to go they present one hell of draw. Try this with your voltmeter as someone cranks the starter:
http://www.aa1car.com/library/voltage_drop_testing.htm
Once they start to go they present one hell of draw. Try this with your voltmeter as someone cranks the starter:
http://www.aa1car.com/library/voltage_drop_testing.htm
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,288
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From: NM
When you had your starter rebuilt, did they put a nice thick coat of paint on it? The starter grounds thru contact at the mounting face. If there is a lot of paint there, it will only get thru via the bolts, which are fairly small. Sand the face of starter and bellhousing for good contact, no paint.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 9,700
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From: Wentzville, MO
As someone already said check and clean your grounds from the engine to the frame and frame to the battery. These cables both should be equally sized to the battery to solenoid and solenoid to start cables. I'd doubt your recently rebuilt starter is the problem (aside from the possible ground issue Ross discussed). Also, check the health of your battery. I leave mine on a trickle charger (Battery Tender) to keep them in tip top shape.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,920
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From: Houston
One other thing to check is to make sure all your connections are snug. I have seen the fasteners loosen up after heat cycling, particular when new parts are installed. The nut holding the lug in the starter should also be checked in addition to the nut holding the cable on.
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I am back on the road. I took off all connections, battery, starter, starter solenoid. Brushed everything down. I did find one slightly loose connection. Big lesson learned: You never know if a connection is clean until you take it apart and brush it until it shines. Thank you to all who replied.
Roy
Roy