Technical Battery terminal wires burned

Currently reading:
Technical Battery terminal wires burned

Mattdada

New member
Joined
Sep 21, 2013
Messages
18
Points
6
Just wondering if anyone has come across this fault. While drive my car just cut out on me loosing all power to my fiat punto. I was unable to even put my hazzard lights on or any lights in the car. Recently I had the car serviced & battery replaced with new one just about 2 weeks ago. Last Thursday I had my starter motor change due to intermittant starting problems.

When I relased the bonnet I noticed that all terminal wires from the battery had been burned off, meaning the were no longer making contact with the battery. Hence why I had no power to the car.

Anyone come across this problem before? Also would earthing cable for the gearbox cause this problem as I had the clutch & gearbox changed just over 6 weeks ago.

Any advice would be of any help please.
 
Just wondering if anyone has come across this fault. While drive my car just cut out on me loosing all power to my fiat punto. I was unable to even put my hazzard lights on or any lights in the car. Recently I had the car serviced & battery replaced with new one just about 2 weeks ago. Last Thursday I had my starter motor change due to intermittant starting problems.

When I relased the bonnet I noticed that all terminal wires from the battery had been burned off, meaning the were no longer making contact with the battery. Hence why I had no power to the car.

Anyone come across this problem before? Also would earthing cable for the gearbox cause this problem as I had the clutch & gearbox changed just over 6 weeks ago.

Any advice would be of any help please.


A picture would be grand here to show whats what

The wires have burned
That means one thing - excessive current causing them to heat up
This could be a corrosion issue inside the thick wiring thats causing excessive resistance, which means it requires more of a push (amperage) to get past it

My advice
Replace them,

I'd be tempted to get a new box to body strap from halfrauds, and then rejoin at the battery terminal - after giving a darn good clean

The alternator to starter - i think you could replace with a generic one, as there just ring termianls on end
the starter to battery post might be a fiat only thing, as you need to be able to bolt the fuse box as well to the car

Zigy
 
Hi,

As well as Ziggys advice, my advice would be to check for short circuit BEFORE replacing or reconnecting anything. A faulty/ incorrectly wired starter or alternator could also have similar consequences.

It sounds like you were very lucky that your car didnt go up in flames. I would also suggest that if the short/ draw was enough to burn the battery terminals, it is also likely to have damaged your battery internally.

Alan
 
Agreed, Definitely check the starter. / alternator area. Rather a coincidence starter was replaced recently. There is a fixed live direct from battery. If it is loose and grounded it would fry the wiring, then whoever fitted the starter should be fixing it for you.:)
 
Here I managed to get pics of the burned cables. One of the red cables is my power for my amps which also burned.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3846.JPG
    IMG_3846.JPG
    1.7 MB · Views: 74
  • IMG_3847.JPG
    IMG_3847.JPG
    1.8 MB · Views: 63
  • IMG_3848.JPG
    IMG_3848.JPG
    1.7 MB · Views: 59
Who installed the Amplifier ??

The amp wire has fused, that could have ended in a very nasty fire!

Do not reconnect it until you've found the short, I suspect a whole new amp wire and engine/body to battery earth in required.

Where is the inline fuse for the amp and what is it rated at? (Though given the damage I suspect I already know the answer)


In addition move the battery in the tray so that the battery clamp isn't virtually touching the live terminal
 
Last edited:
Is it an expensive job AndyRKett? The amplifier was installed about 4 years ago. Never had this happen before. Yes I am very lucky that the car did not set on fire. I suppose I will need to have the battery replaced as well as the wiring to the battery terminals.

Will be having it looked at very soon so will find out the extent of the damage caused.
 
Here I managed to get pics of the burned cables. One of the red cables is my power for my amps which also burned.

It looks like the plastic of the battery box is missing and the battery has slipped a few inches forwards to short the live terminal

The battery earth looks like it might have unsoldiered? so the battery might be OK.
 
Last edited:
It looks like the plastic of the battery box is missing and the battery has slipped a few inches forwards to short the live terminal

The battery earth looks like it might have unsoldiered? so the battery might be OK.

Agreed, that is the issue - the battery has moved shorting the B+ directly to ground.
In this cased you are extremely lucky that someone botched the battery negative by soldering it. !
Terminals should never be soldered, they should be properly crimped, and of course, the battety should be properly secured, it wasnt. An accident waiting to happen.
 
Back
Top