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The Positive red cable from battery gets hot

O

ottoschutze

CEG'er
Joined
Dec 26, 2006
Messages
46
Location
Rocky River ,Ohio , USA
On our V6 Mystique '99 the thicker of the 2 red cables from the battery
at about 1 to 2 inches from the crimp on the clamp to post gets hot ..just noticed it yesterday .
Since the plastic insulation was a bit melted do I have to buy this cable at the Ford dealership or is there a generic one available ..it is hard for me to see through all the hoses and harnesses , yet it looks like it connects the the starter ..could anyone help me .. what the best way is to replace this .
 
If its hot, there is excessive current draw through the line for the size that it is. This means that inside the line it it either broken strands (so that the same amount of charging current, etc, is still being distributed but only through half or so of the original strands) OR that your positive clamp is loose at either end and making partial connection.

You can buy replacement generics at an autoparts store if needed, as well.
Inspect the clamps and bolts on either end first, however!
 
Ray said:
If its hot, there is excessive current draw through the line for the size that it is. This means that inside the line it it either broken strands (so that the same amount of charging current, etc, is still being distributed but only through half or so of the original strands) OR that your positive clamp is loose at either end and making partial connection.

You can buy replacement generics at an autoparts store if needed, as well.
Inspect the clamps and bolts on either end first, however!
Click to expand...

Ray would this explain why my positive cable melted through its insulation and into the battery tray, or is it related to the overcharging issue?
 
I used to live in Western PA and had this problem before thanks to the salt used to melt the ice. One time when I replaced a cable I cut the old one open and found all the wires covered with corrosion from end to end. I also found that the sealed ends lasted much longer that those bolt on ones.
 
mattsBLK99cSVT said:
Ray would this explain why my positive cable melted through its insulation and into the battery tray, or is it related to the overcharging issue?
Click to expand...
Are you sure it melted, or did it flake off? Our engine wiring harness are prone to flaking off.
 
mattsBLK99cSVT said:
Ray would this explain why my positive cable melted through its insulation and into the battery tray, or is it related to the overcharging issue?
Click to expand...

Maybe both. I'm not overcharging, but my cables are melted together a tiny bit...Old wiring means not as good conductivity means getting hotter when running current.
 
Just had to replace the same cable on one of my cars. Get a generic on at a local parts supplier with the correct ends an proper length. The one I replaced was so bad it was affecting the running of the car.
 
Red /positive Battery cables heating up really steaming

Red /positive Battery cables heating up really steaming

Thanks for all your help ..yes we have lots of salt on the roads in Ohio and the cable fine strands were really bad
 
Tony2005 said:
Are you sure it melted, or did it flake off? Our engine wiring harness are prone to flaking off.
Click to expand...
It melted, because about a half inch of the cable was exposed and i wrapped it up in electrical tape and 2 weeks later the cable melts the tape and melts its way down into the battery tray

ill get a pic of the chaos asap
 
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