Electrical Problem. Battery Arching

Jahred · #1 (**permalink**) 08-26-2007, 01:11 PM

Finally thought I had the last gremlin out of this beast, but was out for a drive this afternoon and electrical system flat shut down.

I had recently driven the car 600 miles - Omaha to northern Minnesota and had trouble with the electrical system discharging. Installed a new battery on the way up and later had the alternator checked and installed a new voltage regulator.

Today when it shut down I thought perhaps it was a battery issue since I'd had to recharge both batteries in my trip up. When I went to reconnect a freshly charged battery both positive and negative posts would spark radically when connected. The spark was strong enough to create a melt/weld in the battery terminals when I attempted to connect them on each occasion.

Having it towed. Any thoughts? I suppose it suggests the main positive cable somewhere has worn and is touching frame or such?

What are chances I have an electrical system left?

This car has about six moving parts! Why can't I keep it running!

There goes the Wednesday Night Drags at BIR! Drats!

HI Cobra · #2 (**permalink**) 08-26-2007, 02:25 PM

Sounds like you have a major short circuit somewhere. I'd check any wires
near pipes or other hot spots first then for wires in a pinch or rub point.
I'm guesing you will have to eliminate the short first before you can assess
any possible damages. Good luck!

Dwight · #3 (**permalink**) 08-26-2007, 03:07 PM

Disconnect the alternator and hook the battery up. See if you get the spark. Have the alternator checked at the parts store. Pull all the fuses and hook up the battery. No spark, plug one fuse at a time in until you get the big spark at the battery. Remember some of you power item are fed from the hot side of the solenoid. It could be a bad wire or something that uses power like a horn or light. Don't forget the starter, but I don't think it's the problem because the solenoid controls it and has it isolated till you crank the motor. Ignition switch?

Dwight

RICK LAKE · #4 (**permalink**) 08-28-2007, 05:54 AM

Jahred First off you want to hook a battery up this way, POS cable gets clamped first, then the NEG cable. This works when removing the cables, NEG first POS second. Since you have a MAIN short, Start with the POS cable and track it back to the starter solenoid and down to the starter. Make sure there are no cuts or burns in the power cable. Take your time and look at the cable GOOD for any rub marks. If you seen no problem, unhook the power to the starter solenoid and rehook the battery up. If you get a spark, you missed a spot in the cable and need a new cable. If no spark, unhook the starter power cable and check for spark. No spark go to the ALT and unhook the battery feed cable. Try this first then get back to us. You can call me at 732-254-3536 in the evening I will walk you through checking the curcuits. Rick Lake. You need 2 tools to help fix this, a test light 12 volts, and a cheap ohm,volt meter with the 2 leads. We will have you up and running soon. Put the car up on jack stands to give you a look on the underside. You need to crawl under the car. Don't forget the cardboard

Jerry Clayton · #5 (**permalink**) 08-28-2007, 07:19 AM

A situation We see on many cars such as these( personal street cars--Cobras, hot rods, etc) is a rear mounted battery, fiberglass body( poor grounds) and an over abindance of braided lines----I have seen many times where the stainless braid was carrying an electrical load, an extremely dangerous condition--its spooky to see a fuel line smoking while someone is trying to start there car

So as you look for shorts or opens , please notice the conditions of your lines

Jerry

Jahred · #6 (**permalink**) 08-28-2007, 07:55 AM

Rick, all - thanks. Plan on getting under the beast today. Having slept on it, I'm guessing something got to near the passenger side header when I replaced the starter a couple months back. I probably have to start asking myself when this stuff happens.....OK....what did you phuck up now!

Jahred · #7 (**permalink**) 08-28-2007, 10:48 PM

Got her jacked up and fix was simple enough. I replaced starter with a Robb XXXXX starter - great starter.....it has one of those fancy solenoids that can be rotated after install. As I suspected it might it turned after installation and positive cable came in contact with block. I rotated back, retaped cable and tightened hex nuts as tight as I dared.

Anyone else experience this with these adjustable Solenoids and have any suggestions for keeping it from rotating after final install?

snakebitekit · #8 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 12:39 AM

When all else fails go to the last item/thing changed, corrected or fixed. Your problem will be there provided it was running fine before hand.
Dennis

trularin · #9 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 06:12 AM

Very nice of you to offer your time like that Rick.

slithering · #10 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 06:36 AM

Jahred,

If tape is the only protection from your positive side of the solenoid shorting out, you might consider applying a dab of RTV silicone to the terminal. Just make sure you disconnect the cables from your battery first and allow the silicone to cure before re-installing! This prevents shorts, corrosion and loosened connections.

Chris