It smelled like an electrical fire, near the starter

MICHAEL WRIGHT2

MEMBER
2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
138,000 MILES

Hello, my positive battery terminal screw some how got stripped and the wires moved on my car. I pulled over and there was smoke and it smelled like an electrical fire, near the starter. I looked and the negative wire that goes to the starter was fried. The car wouldn't start anymore, in fact no electricity at all came on. Does anyone have an idea of what might need to be done to fix this issue?

7 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good evening

The first thing I would do is replace the battery cables.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Is the battery damaged?

Roy

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Friday, September 6th, 2019 AT 6:09 PM

MICHAEL WRIGHT2

MEMBER
10 POSTS

I don't believe so, the battery is only two years old but the screw on the positive terminal somehow got warped and the wires ground wires began to move. This made the car turn on and out and the, I believe negative cable to the starter melted or the plastic around it. The car has no electricity anymore at all.

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Friday, September 6th, 2019 AT 6:24 PM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Okay, start with replacing the cables. You can get them at a parts store.

Roy

REMOVAL
1. Turn the ignition switch to the Off position. Be certain that all electrical accessories are turned off.
2. Disconnect and isolate the remote battery negative cable terminal.
3. Remove the battery from the vehicle.
4. One at a time, trace the battery cable retaining pushpins, fasteners and routing clips until the cables are free from the vehicle.
5. Remove the battery cables from the engine compartment.

INSTALLATION
1. Position the battery cables in the engine compartment.
2. One at a time, install the battery cable retaining pushpins, fasteners and routing clips until the cables are installed exactly where they were in the vehicle.
3. Install the battery in the vehicle.
4. Connect the remote battery negative cable terminal.

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Friday, September 6th, 2019 AT 6:30 PM

MICHAEL WRIGHT2

MEMBER
10 POSTS

So the cable that run to the starter can be replaced? I can do the job I just didn't know if those cables that run to the starter could be replaced? I did see some connections. I'm a novice when it comes to working on cars.

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Friday, September 6th, 2019 AT 6:36 PM

ASEMASTER6371