starting issue...confused!

[87WhiteStang1]

ok so i am pretty sure that my battery is dead because it died on me twice in the past week...but up until today i could hook it up to my charger for a few minutes and start it. today at first when i was trying to start it it would really try but not enough to start it...then finally it would just click when i turn the key... so i let it charge longer and still all it will do is click...then if i keep trying the thin cord that goes from the neg. terminal on battery to the fender wall starts to smoke and burn up??? i have no idea why that would happen...give me some help here so i can get her running!THANKS

 

[snakebite01]

well that cable is hooked up to the fender wall start solenoid.. what i would do first is take it to a local auto parts store like advance auto parts or auto zone and have them test the battery.. if it comes up bad than try putting a new one in.. if that doesn't work than get a new fender mounted started solenoid. if that's not it than you will have to get a new starter. those are the only things it could really be

 

[87WhiteStang1]

ive already replaced the starter solenoid...even if the battery is dead i dont understand why that wire would get so hot and start smoking? i think i will get a new battery and maybe if im lucky it will work again but if not i guess i will be looking into starters

 

[LxVert]

Could be the cable it self is bad, I would replace the cable and see if it makes a difference.

 

[885.0conv]

I would guess the cable like LXVert said because if the resistance is too high it will draw more current causing it to smoke

 

[tiptop]

starter

 

[hotcobra03]

Dirty or loose connection are most common.starters would be 2nd.shorted cell in battery 3rd. Try tapping on starter if it starts change starter

 

[87WhiteStang1]

ok tomarrow i will try replacing that wire...we'll see what happens..feel free to give me any other tips. thanks guys

 

[snakebite01]

Could be the cable it self is bad, I would replace the cable and see if it makes a difference.

i agree.... replace the cable, well one that is the cheapest route. if not that i would get a new starter. i highly doubt it's the battery causing the trouble...

 

[87WhiteStang1]

okay so i replaced that wire...i got a new battery. put the bat. in and started right up a few times...i drove it for a while and it barely cranked so i had to push it to start it...i drove somewhere else and it then it BARELY started...im thinking alternator but...i used a multimeter and hooked it to the battery...the battery sits at 12.68 when engine iff and 14.38 with engine on...

 

[LxVert]

Hm, the only other thing I can say is agreeing with everyone that said starter. The starter could be drawing to much current.
Buy a new starter, put it in and see if it fixes the problem (wouldn't return the core until you find out), if not pull it out and get your money back.

 

[87WhiteStang1]

oh i was hoping it wouldnt come down to that...one more thing i might try is taking the UD pulley off of the alternator and putting the stock one back on and see whether that makes any difference in charging

 

[69must]

Starting trouble

Did you replace the ground cable or just the thin wire to the fender. I would make sure that the ground cable has a good connection to the block.

 

[87WhiteStang1]

i replaced both battery cables about a year ago...i have cleaned off all conections to the solenoid(which has also been replaced) but i might try to clean the groung to block connection up a bit and maybe the connection to the starter as well...we'll see what happens