On the way home, I got stuck in traffic. I also figure the fan relay wire came loose and the fans were off, so it overheated and eventually stalled. I pushed it into a parking lot and there it sits.

A few hours later, it would rapidly tic by the starter, but never turn over. Much like a short... I tried to wiggle the positive wire and I saw what looked like it arched onto the starter heat shield. Now it won't even tic, tic, tic AND the lights don't come on when I open the door. Totally dead!

Did I fry the battery... or the ECM? Can I jump start it if it is the battery?

This REALLY sucks!!!

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1984 z28 w/ a 357 cu in. monster engine which is looking like the posterchild for Edelbrock... all the suspension stuff... 9-bolt posi disk is in... K&N filter... 93 octane...

-=ICON Motorsports=-

 

If it is arcing at the starter you need to tighten the cable down there first.

Then you might try to jump start it.

Then tackle the overheating problem.

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

GO #3

[This message has been edited by Engineboy (edited November 07, 2000).]

 

I pulled the battery this morning and it reads only 5.4V... but it is slowly going up. I will take it to Autozone and have them test it. Still I think it is fried.

When I had the battery out, I tested the resistance across the positive cable (that runs to the starter) and the frame. It was 0 Ohms. Should it be? I really hope I don't have a short bewteen the cable and the heat shield. Can you blow a starter or solenoid and drain the battery?

 

Now (about 2 hrs later) the voltage reads 8.0V. Is that too slow for the recharge?

 

It depends on the charger you are using. I can fully charge a battery in about 45 mins. with the charger I have.

If the battery is taking that long (2 hours)I would think that its toast.

Is the resistance 0 ohms or infiite?? Does it give you the same reading that it gives you if you connect both your meter leads together??

I would just jack the car up and look at the cable,solenoid,etc.

If it is rubbing/touching the shield or other posts of the starter it should be evident. Tighten it up if its loose and try a new battery.

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

GO #3

 

I am not using a charger to recharge the battery. It slowly does it on its own.

As for the starter, I know the cable is on tight. But I can see it is very close to my heat shield that I put on about 6 months ago.

It was 0 Ohms... like when you touch the two leads together. That is why I think my starter is toast and drained the battery all night long.

 

It was the battery after all. Thanks for the help!