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Help, I Need Help

matt76

By matt76
in Ask A GM Technician

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matt76 Enthusiast

matt76

Posted
Posted

i just finished putting in a new crate motor in my 98 gmc k1500 5.7. went to start it for the first time and she ran great for about ten minutes then shut off. then i discovered the neg. terminal on the battery had gotten soo hot it melted out of the battery. i checked all my wires and everything looked good, so i moved the wire to the top terminals and tried it again. this time the starter started smoking and was too hot to even touch.

what in the world is happening. when she was running, the only code i got was p1345 ckp and cmp. but now i can't start her at all, she just clicks.

i don't mind getting another battery and starter, but what happened so i don't do it again?

any ideas would be very helpful, its starting to get cold and i need her to move.

thanks

matt

Jsdirt Senior Enthusiast

Jsdirt

Posted
Posted

Any melting of battery cables is the result of excess current flow. One way that can happen is if the positive was resting on a header or exhaust manifold -- it'll run great until the manifold gets hot, then when the jacket melts, every amp your battery is capable of storing will be sent through the positive terminal to your manifold ... usually accompanied by a small fire.

 

But it sounds like what happened here was an internal short of the armature inside your starter motor. My guess is replace the starter, double check your cable routing - keep AWAY from exhaust manifold - & you should be set.

 

 

Now that I think about it -- you said the neg melted ..... you didn't hook the cables up backwards, did you? Sorry ... have to ask ....

Nytemare Senior Enthusiast

Nytemare

Posted
Posted

+1

also, your starter Bendix may not have disengaged turning your starter into a generator. That would put a crap load of back current into the battery...unregulated.

 

Your battery is also probably toast too now.

matt76 Enthusiast

matt76

Posted
  • Author
Posted

i swear ive checked. i have made many stupid mistakes that i'm not afraid to admit. but i'm sure there wired correctly.

im guessing the bat is toast too. unfortunatly its a really expensive optimum.

matt76 Enthusiast

matt76

Posted
  • Author
Posted

i double checked everything. i went out and got a brand new starter and a brand new battery. i will again make sure everything is buttoned up and correct. and we'll try it again.

Jsdirt Senior Enthusiast

Jsdirt

Posted
Posted

Be sure to post back & let us know how you make out.

matt76 Enthusiast

matt76

Posted
  • Author
Posted

replaced the starter, replaced the battery. all the wires are correct as far as im aware. went to start and all i get is a click. went under the truck and had a helper turn the key. click, one single click, coming from the brand new starter, really the click is coming from the solenoid. no cranking.

back to reading the book for more checks.

matt76 Enthusiast

matt76

Posted
  • Author
Posted

i did not replace the wires. and i'm not getting any voltage to the purple wire on the starter. could this be why?

minibike132 Senior Enthusiast

minibike132

Posted
Posted
i did not replace the wires. and i'm not getting any voltage to the purple wire on the starter. could this be why?

 

 

Not getting voltage to the purple wire with the ignition in crank?

matt76 Enthusiast

matt76

Posted
  • Author
Posted

only a click, no cranking, no volt reading to the purple wire

 

 

i did not replace the wires. and i'm not getting any voltage to the purple wire on the starter. could this be why?

 

 

Not getting voltage to the purple wire with the ignition in crank?

 

minibike132 Senior Enthusiast

minibike132

Posted
Posted
only a click, no cranking, no volt reading to the purple wire

 

 

i did not replace the wires. and i'm not getting any voltage to the purple wire on the starter. could this be why?

 

 

Not getting voltage to the purple wire with the ignition in crank?

 

 

 

I understand there is no cranking, what I am asking is there any voltage to the purple wire with the key in the crank position?

 

If there is no voltage to the purple wire with the key in the crank position you should not be getting a click at the starter.

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