Hot battery cables

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 5, 2003 | 04:27 PM

ral76

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

Hot battery cables

When I try to start my 76 ford f100, the engine turns slowly and will not start. I checked and I am getting spark at the plugs. The thing that really is bothering me is that both the positive and negative battery cables get very hot when I try to start the truck. Any ideas on what might be causing this? Thank you for your time

ral

Oct 5, 2003 | 04:32 PM

stepman

Posting Guru

Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 1,428

Likes: 0

From: peoria, az

You have a high resistance issue. Remove and clean all of your cable connections. Do both pos cables get hot? If cleaning doesn't solve this than you probably have a worn out starter drawing excessive current.

Oct 5, 2003 | 05:09 PM

Franklin2

Moderator

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 57,027

Likes: 2,761

From: Virginia

Make sure you have quality 6 guage battery cables. And those repair end cable clamps for the battery only make it worse.

Oct 5, 2003 | 11:05 PM

macguyver

Posting Guru

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 1,214

Likes: 2

From: Minneapolis, MN

My guess would be the starter if the cables are getting hot along their entire length instead of just one spot. If you can borrow an amp-clamp or a starter amp gauge that you place alongside the cable, that should tell you where the problem is.