Ngative battery terminal melted when starting

[dchable]

I have a 1992 Sunbird Corsair 175 with OMC Cobra 3.0. I was at lake running last night, turned off engine for short period. When I tried to start it sounded like battery was struggling almost like low charge but battery is less than month old. I cranked it for about 10 seconds and then nothing. Checked the battery connection and the negative terminal had melted off the battery. It was still super hot. I had noticed it heating up in the past but never like this. I've read some forums that talk about a possible short. Anyone experience this or have any ideas. Thanks !

 

[alldodge]

Heat is caused by resistance due to a bad connection. My guess is the cable is corroded inside under the jacket and can also have the same issue at the block end

 

[Silvertip]

And it has been going on for "some time"??? Heat on wires is almost always due to loose, corroded or bad wire/connector terminations. Suddenly slow cranking is sure sign you have battery or connection problems. Can you say "fire hazard"?

 

[poconojoe]

I once had a problem with a wire feeding the starter on a truck. I thought the problem was only at the connection to the battery until I started to strip back the insulation. The cable was all corroded under the insulation. I kept stripping it back further until I realized it was time to replace the wire completely. So corrosion can be hidden under the insulation and the resistance can cause heat build up and possible melting and fire.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I had noticed it heating up in the past but never like this.

FYI - that is a giant red flag, with flashing lights and a siren that something is wrong. you neglected your maintenance in cable and connection inspection, time to buy new cables and a new battery.

all your battery connections need to be cleaned to shiny metal (Clean enough for your kids to eat off of) then seal with marine electrical varnish

 

[poconojoe]

FYI - that is a giant red flag, with flashing lights and a siren that something is wrong. you neglected your maintenance in cable and connection inspection, time to buy new cables and a new battery.

all your battery connections need to be cleaned to shiny metal (Clean enough for your kids to eat off of) then seal with marine electrical varnish

Marine electrical varnish....interesting. I'll have to get some of that. Probably a good seal and not messy like the Copper Shield I use. I use Copper Shield at work (electrician). It works well but never dries. No corrosion and conducts good, but as I said...messy. Seems like I'm always getting that copper paste on my hands whenever I'm near the batteries.
Edit: Kopr-Shield is the proper spelling. Made by T&B

 

[Scott Danforth]

the key is to seal the connection

Sprayon, CRC, 3M all have electrical varnish

 

[poconojoe]

the key is to seal the connection

Sprayon, CRC, 3M all have electrical varnish

Makes sense

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Believe it or not,.... I seal the battery connections with Grease,...

Starters, solenoids, 'n such get a shot of Fluid Film,....

 

[Scott Danforth]

Bondo, dont you use grease as a hair tonic, mustache wax, and food flavoring?

 

[alldodge]

Hey dchable

Hope all these folks jumping on your issue doesn't make you not come back. We all mean well but sometimes there is a lot of pounding on bad moves, why who knows, maybe its easy. In any case hope you can stay around and maybe help some others out sometime

 

[-JR-]

regular grease is not good ,should use dielectric grease. If regular grease is used it could leak into the connection .power does not go threw regular grease as well and will burn .

 

[gm280]

They make a spray on battery terminal sealer, but honestly any lacquer will do the job. Clear works well and any other color too if you don't mind the color. JMHO

 

[alldodge]

I'll stick with grease because its cheap and easy, and only used on battery terminal connections, so no issue with leaking into anything of concern

 

[dchable]

Thanks for the suggestions. Will start with replacing cables and sealing terminals and connections.