HELP - Negative battery cable melted apart
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,755
Likes: 1,644
From: Fairfax Virginia
That was some short you had there Hud...
You are very lucky that you didn't loose your car with that short! Headers are more dangerous on plastic cars as we have seen over the years.
I installed long tube headers on my 1968 Convertible. I wrapped all the wiring inside of DEI wiring protectors. They are insulated and protect the wires up to several hundred degrees, even with that protection you do not want to let the wiring anywhere near the headers. They make the protective wraps in different internal sizes and various lengths. I also put all my fuel lines inside these protectors to avoid a fire from the headers proximity to the fuel system.
A loose battery ground connection will not help your car even without the major short you had. If the ground connection is not tight it makes resistance and with that comes heat and the heat is your batteries worst enemy.
You should have your alternator and battery checked out to be sure they survived your little short.
I installed long tube headers on my 1968 Convertible. I wrapped all the wiring inside of DEI wiring protectors. They are insulated and protect the wires up to several hundred degrees, even with that protection you do not want to let the wiring anywhere near the headers. They make the protective wraps in different internal sizes and various lengths. I also put all my fuel lines inside these protectors to avoid a fire from the headers proximity to the fuel system.
A loose battery ground connection will not help your car even without the major short you had. If the ground connection is not tight it makes resistance and with that comes heat and the heat is your batteries worst enemy.
You should have your alternator and battery checked out to be sure they survived your little short.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 205
Likes: 37
From: Plano Texas
Hi guys,
Got it all fixed up and put back together, but (of course) now have a new set of problems.
The minor one: Something near the front of the engine (I suspect alternator / belt) makes a whine ONLY when you gas the engine some. I took the alternator in and it tested out fine. Read that maybe the belt was too loose (new belt) or needed some belt conditioner - thoughts?
The bigger one: Upon said test fire where I found the engine whine, I went to turn the car off and the engine wouldn't stop. Took the key out and everything and it just kept running. I got it to stop by putting the key back in, 'starting' it again (flywheel grinding noise of course) and then turning it off and it stopped. I want to put the alternator on and root out the noise at the front of the engine, but what do I do if it won't turn off again? What's the SAFEST way to get the engine to stop running if this happens again? Any things to check before I fire it up again?
Thanks again,
Hud
Got it all fixed up and put back together, but (of course) now have a new set of problems.
The minor one: Something near the front of the engine (I suspect alternator / belt) makes a whine ONLY when you gas the engine some. I took the alternator in and it tested out fine. Read that maybe the belt was too loose (new belt) or needed some belt conditioner - thoughts?
The bigger one: Upon said test fire where I found the engine whine, I went to turn the car off and the engine wouldn't stop. Took the key out and everything and it just kept running. I got it to stop by putting the key back in, 'starting' it again (flywheel grinding noise of course) and then turning it off and it stopped. I want to put the alternator on and root out the noise at the front of the engine, but what do I do if it won't turn off again? What's the SAFEST way to get the engine to stop running if this happens again? Any things to check before I fire it up again?
Thanks again,
Hud
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Unplug the red wire from the left side of the distributor cap will kill it. Did you change wiring at the alternator? I've seen the wires reversed in the alternator plug cause one to stay running, had to unplug the alternator to make it die.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 205
Likes: 37
From: Plano Texas
Also, thanks for the tip about the distributor cap wire that will kill the engine. I'll make sure I know how to do this just in case I have to!
Hud
