Starter cable melting

2005 FORD CROWN VICTORIA

160,000 MILES • 4.6L • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC

MOTMOT

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I drove my car to a local auto parts store, after about 1/2 hour later I went to start it and the battery was dead, so I bought a new battery and when I turned the key all the way The positive cable going to the starter went up in smoke,
my car has 3 positive cables going to the positive post, 1 to the starter,1 goin to the alternator, and 1 goin to the fuse box under the hood, Since all 3 are hooked together at the pos.post, How can just the starter cable fry and not the other two ?? I know alot but this one's got me stumped,, please only respond if you know for sure what it is. thanks

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Apr 2, 2021 at 10:57 AM

KASEKENNY

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
18,907 POSTS

This is because you had high resistance in this one cable. If you want to confirm this then you can do what is called a voltage drop test on the wiring.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Basically you put your meter leads on the ends of this wire and then crank the engine. More then likely you will see a couple volts. You should not see much at all but you are seeing is the amount of voltage that the wire is using. In more cases you should see a couple tenths of a volt on this test on a cable like this as we want all the voltage getting to the starter for it to use.

What I would do is change the starter and then do this test again just to make sure the wire is okay.

The only other thing that would cause this is a starter issue but if this is operating properly then I doubt it is the issue.

I attached the process for this just in case you need it.

Let us know what you find.

Thanks

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Apr 3, 2021 at 7:20 PM

MOTMOT

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you for replying to my question. I got a new starter installed and the problem seems to be solved.

Apr 5, 2021 at 12:35 PM

KASEKENNY

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
18,907 POSTS

That is great. Thanks for the update. Glad it is resolved and that you provided that info for others. Please come back to 2CarPros.

Apr 6, 2021 at 6:57 PM

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