Battery cables smoked

1999 FORD EXPEDITION
200,000 MILES • V8 • 4WD • MANUAL
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ADRIAN GARCIA
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  • 3 POSTS
I never had any problems with it before I was driving on the freeway and heard a knocking sound from underneath the hood. Pulled over turned off and when I tried to turn back on the battery cables smoked and now it will not start at all. What happened? I also checked and they was no oil so I put some in.
Jun 22, 2017 at 2:33 PM
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MHPAUTOS
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 31,937 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
will the engine turn over on the starter or by hand?
Jun 24, 2017 at 5:22 AM
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ADRIAN GARCIA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I had someone looking at it and said that a wire on the starter burned also and when he was underneath holding the wire where it goes I tried to start it and it sounded like it was gonna start. I just don't understand what would have made all those wires burn in the first place.
Jun 24, 2017 at 11:37 AM
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MHPAUTOS
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 31,937 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
High load from a bad starter, dirty or loose connections or a tight engine and over load causing a high resistance and this will cause over heating and smoking of the cables, start at the battery and check everything back to and including the starter for any faults.
Jun 24, 2017 at 5:28 PM
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