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Posted By Discussion Topic: Hot battery cables -- page: 1 2     jimbomac 05-09-2019 @ 2:56 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 88 Joined: Jul 2014 I picked up my 53 Sunliner from the winter storage/restoration shop today. They had replaced the oil pan gasket and in the process disconnected the starter power cable. It appeared to be reconnected correctly. The car started very slowly, when I got it home I tested the battery, 6.85 V. It then wouldn't start, cranking very slowly.Lights were bright. Charged it for 2 h, again tested at 6.85. Again cranked very slowly, then wouldn't crank at all. Cranked it for probably 10-15 sec at the most. At that point, noticed smoke and found both of the battery cables red hot and smoldering, and both proceeded to burn away from their connections at the block and starter relay. It is + grnd, and was connected correctly. Any ideas? Bad starter? It's only about 4 yrs old, rebuilt I think. No starting problems before today MG 05-09-2019 @ 6:10 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1302 Joined: Nov 2009 Given that replacing the oil pan gasket requires removal of the starter motor, they must have hooked-up the cable to the starter motor incorrectly in that it must be touching a ground - probably at the pan or block....The cable to the starter motor is in contact with a ground somewhere along its length....Inspect where the cable to the starter motor is connected at the starter motor - its connector could be touching the case of the starter motor or the post on the motor is no longer insulated from the case due to over tightening of the nut. Bottom line is this > You have a direct short across the battery when the starter solenoid is energized. You'll have to replace all of the cables involved in the starting circuit plus the solenoid and possibly the starter motor itself needs to be replaced or repaired. The shop where you had the pan gasket replaced scr*w*d up.... This message was edited by MG on 5-10-19 @ 10:43 AM alanwoodieman 05-09-2019 @ 7:31 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 873 Joined: Oct 2009 did they change the cables to a smaller gauge? like 12 volt cables on 6 volts, which will melt the cables sarahcecelia 05-10-2019 @ 6:17 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1196 Joined: Mar 2013 Hot battery cables show a resistance, (short), somewhere. Bad starter, or it could be hanging up; short in the hot wire to the starter? It runs along the frame cross member under the oil pan, and is probably cracked and needs replacing after 66 years anyway! It is held to the lip on the rear of that cross member, with as I remember, 2 clips. It's about 44 inches long. (The other end is mounted to the solenoid on the driver side inner fender panel) If you are replacing it, REMEMBER TO DISCONNECT THE GROUND CABLE ON THE BATTERY FIRST!! To test the starter motor; Take the starter off, and put it on the floor. Put your foot on it, (otherwise the torque will make it JUMP!!) to keep it in place, positive jumper cable to case where a mount bolt goes, and take the negative cable and just touch it to the stud that the hot cable goes to. The starter motor should spin freely. Regards, Steve Lee jimbomac 05-10-2019 @ 12:15 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 88 Joined: Jul 2014 So we pulled the starter and it was shorted/burned up internally- it's off to the rebuilder. The rest of the electrical system tested ok. Car had a frame off 2 yrs ago and all wiring was replaced at that time. Not sure of battery cable guage, it is thicker than 12 V for sure, but will be going to O now. Thanks for all of the advice! ford38v8 05-10-2019 @ 4:55 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 2883 Joined: Oct 2009 Jim, Given that the "Storage/Restoration Shop" had replaced the pan gasket, they would also have removed the starter to perform that task. Starter mounting bolts being the only thing preventing the internals from dislocating, and the starter having functioned properly before the "restoration", it is very likely that your restoration shop failed to reassemble the starter correctly, thereby precipitating its internal short. If I were you, I'd view that shop's professional conduct with suspicion if they don't own up to the damage they caused. Alan JayChicago 05-10-2019 @ 6:48 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 556 Joined: Jan 2016 “Starter mounting bolts being the only thing preventing the internals from dislocating“ I don’t understand this. Can you explain? ford38v8 05-11-2019 @ 12:27 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 2883 Joined: Oct 2009 Jay, the starter is held together by two long bolts which double as mounting bolts. The removal of those bolts enables the starter to dismount, and to disassemble itself if not handled correctly. Alan dandy32 05-11-2019 @ 4:25 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 103 Joined: Oct 2017 Hey Jim also make sure there is no paint between the starter and the pan it needs to make good electrical contact for your starter to be grounded properly.Just A thought 51woodie 05-11-2019 @ 5:12 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 561 Joined: Jan 2017 Here is a link to a YouTube video that shows a Ford tractor starter being worked on. The remove/install will be the same on your car. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlfqBVW2Q2M

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