battery terminal flames

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Aug 24, 2005 | 04:36 PM

lattices2

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battery terminal flames

'90 EFI, 351W

Whe i start it, a spark(flame) and puff of smoke shoot up from the negative terminal and no power at all even it i turn it to key off then key on.

When i turn the key to Run position, i got full continuos power, not draining. blower fan, lights everything works.

Only if i disconnect the negative terminal and replace it again the the same cycle happens again, power.... flame, smoke from negative terminal, no power when i turn to start.

Whats going on.??

I just replace the solenoid about 2 months ago and the batter abut a year ago.
I did have some exhaust work done(new cat) near the starter today and im thinking something happend. It started great when i picked it up though.

Any ideas?

thanks

Aug 24, 2005 | 06:16 PM

bertha66

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Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 8,062

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From: Central Oregon

You may have a bad end on the gable that is shorting out.

Aug 24, 2005 | 07:42 PM

dwoodler

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Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 460

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From: Edmonton, Alberta

It sounds like the power cable from the solenoid to starter was leaning against the exhaust manifold and after it ran for a while, the rubber melted off your cable. Check it out for a short to the exhaust. That cable to the starter is only energized when you turn the key to start and the solenoid closes, supplying the starter with juice. The rest of the time it only supplies power to the ignition and the solenoid is de-energized. Let me know how it goes.

Don

Aug 24, 2005 | 07:49 PM

lattices2

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'90 EFI 351W

Thanks for the info. Ill check it out in the morning. It gets dark fast now.

I noticed the other smaller bare wire from the negative terminal that attaches to the radiator frame is bare underneath at the terminal also.

Ill check the wire from solenoid to starter and the negative gable and cable. It looks pretty bad actually. I think its original. I replaced the positve terminal when i got the truck 4 years ago it was bare wire at the terminal.

Aug 25, 2005 | 06:57 PM

lattices2

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'90 EFI 351
I just had a loose battery terminal cap. By the way the post on the engine block where the negative terminal connects to on my truck(right behind the air pump) is a real pain to get too.

Aug 26, 2005 | 08:56 AM

scurbiedog

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Joined: Mar 2005

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From: B.F.E.

Whatever the cause be carefull I've had a batt, explode when I turned the key. I was working on an old car of mine and went to start it and the batt, blew its top,it looked like it had a crack by the terminal and the fluid was leaking then "Bam!" it dented the underside of the hood it hit it so hard.