Battery problem

[BIGKEV]

Anyone had the problem of a melted terminal on your live.

 

I think it might be to do with the fact that the battery isnt "big" enough for the car - has anyone had this before - I checked the starter motor but its fine,

 

What say you the masses?

[Vista]

It's more likely to be that the terminal wasn't properly tightened and you were getting arcing across it when cranking.

[Fishtailparka]

I have only ever had a terminal melt when some dipstick at an autoelectricians connected the jump leds the wrong way.

I take it you mean the battery posts? If you do, have a good check over all your electrics as it will be on fire if you are not careful. It takes some serious heat to melt them.

[BIGKEV]

Nope - deffo properly tightened

 

and yes they were round the right way.

 

Ok - so the morning of the classic ford show it took a while to crank over and in doing so melted the cut out switch.

 

So I bypassed the cut out switch and all was well again

 

however when replacing the front crank oil seal I had the timing 180 degrees out and thats when it melted ( as I was sending too many amps throgh the circuit due to the non firing of the pistons we think) , So after realing this I sorted the timing out and it still gets too hot to touch the live feed and the insulation tape is too hot to touch with the "smaller Battery"

 

I charged the battery I have and it still started a bit lazy and started to melt the insulation tape but with a jump from the daily drive it fired up straight away.

 

Does anyone know what CCA your batteries are running for a 2L pinto please?

 

I believe that the cranking figure for my battery is too low ( even by a fraction) and that by having a better battery should fix the problem.

 

And there is no way I am paying £89.99 for a frikkin battery !!

[baz105e]

halfords do a 063 battery with 3 year garentee for 39.99

[BIGKEV]

Baz - 063 - is that 2L plus?

[baz105e]

could probably do with something a little larger

[Fiesta Steve]

Get it all the time at work, always a loose terminal.

[M.Bird412E]

Kev is your battery in the boot?

 

The most common problem i have come across is either a cheap cut off switch or battery cable that is not up to the current draw.

 

You have already found that your battery cut off switch wasn't up to the job.

 

If all your connections are good and have good conductivity then the only other fault can be with the cable. Fit the biggest you can afford and make sure all the earth connections are good too.

 

[Toby]

Get it all the time at work, always a loose terminal.

 

Could it be a bad earth anywhere on the car too? I used to have a similar problem - replaced all my earth leads and made sure they were making good contact - cheap to try.

[BIGKEV]

Cheers for the replys chaps Yeah the battery is in the boot - what doesnt make sense is that it was ok for a few months and gets hot hot hot when I crank the starter yet with a bump it fires up lovely and doesnt get hot at all - is this to do with the " extra" circuit created by the jump?

 

I think that a bigger battery ( should I say proper size )

 

[BIGKEV]

I have checked all the earth points Toby but I shall check again.

 

 

Cheers

 

 

 

Kev

[Tom]

I'm with marty on the cable mate - how thick is it?

 

Also, it could be a knackered starter motor drawing too many amps on cranking

[Toby]

I'm with marty on the cable mate - how thick is it?

 

 

And how well are the ends crimped on. Thinking about it that was another thing I did - took the ends off the lead and re-did them.

[paul capri]

Im on battery number 5 from halfords in just under a year, if that makes you feel any better

[bortaf]

Happens a lot on transit Di's, ni on allways a knackerd starter drawing too much current, Ford changed to round terminal post batterys to try and stop it happening (more surface area to transfer the current).

[BIGKEV]

Happens a lot on transit Di's, ni on allways a knackerd starter drawing too much current, Ford changed to round terminal post batterys to try and stop it happening (more surface area to transfer the current).

 

 

interesting Bortaf - as I am batteryless I have been attempting to use the battery with the melted terminal - I now wont and will wait for the battery form Halfords at the weeknd

 

 

Cheers

[hellblue]

As said if your not on the round terminals get a battery with them and change over to them ,with ya other post i would change the starter over too if the cables not getting hot its big enough for the job.... so long as you have still got a good 12v on cranking up the front of the car !

[Stu_B]

Is there not a local battery centre? I got a diesel battery for a modern escort van for mine, more cranking power & it was about £60 with a lifetime guarantee.