Changed starter and it burned my battery wires

[dez81]

I just changed my starter yesterday. (81 C-10 350/350) I drove around with no problems. Today my wife took it around the corner and it backfired and died on her. Checked under the hood and the wires to the battery were burned up. What gives?

[Lt.Del]

My guess?  A loose hot or negative wire.  Wasn't tightened up enough.  Those puppies will get red hot if it was/is loose.

My dad's golf cart had a wire that wasn't tighten on one of the 6 batteries.  That thing was melted as if it was welded and burnt. It even destroyed one of the lead terminals on one of the batteries and the battery was toast.  

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

[dez81]

Thanks sgtdel, i'll get new parts and make sure everything is buttoned up properly.

[dez81]

Got a new battery, hot and negative wires, some 12 gauge wire with connectors and electrical tape and now I'm back on the road.
Looks like my battery wire somehow laid on the exhaust pipes and melted. I made sure to route everything clean this time. Started on the first crank.
Thanks again for the insight.

[Lt.Del]

I am surprised you didn't blow the fusible link.  That thing had to blow a fuse when positive wire hit the negative ground.  

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

[shaved80]

ouch, been there done that!!!

[dez81]

No it didn't blow any fuses. I thought the starter would be fried but like I said it started on the first key turn.