Smoking wires

[Daniel_Heetderks 35]

Does anyone have any ideas as to why the wires to my starter start smoking and making sparks when i try to start the engine? The engine will start but im not sure if this means i need a new starter or not.

Edited November 21, 2022 by Daniel_Heetderks

[The Freightliner Guy 1,326]

Hi  to the forum I wish you good luck with your project and maybe the reason for the sparks is a loose connection? Or I’m completely wrong but That might be something to check out  @Achto any thoughts?
Kollin

Edited November 21, 2022 by The Freightliner Guy

[Achto 26,573]

31 minutes ago, Daniel_Heetderks said:

Does anyone have any ideas as to why the wires to my starter start smoking and making sparks when i try to start the engine?

 

Remove the wires from the starter, clean the terminals on the wires and starter & reinstall them. Not a bad idea to clean the terminals at the battery as well. If you still get sparks, then I would suspect a bad crimp on the wire terminals. 

[Daniel_Heetderks 35]

the wiring is pretty bad so il try that. Thanks!

[rmaynard 14,909]

What model are we taking about?

 

But in any case, make sure that your ground from the battery to the starter, (whether through a wire or through the frame), is clean and tight. Make sure that all the other high amperage wires are clean and tight. Sometimes the lugs on the wires come loose. 

[wallfish 15,936]

Sparking from the wire connection is an indication of a bad/loose connection. That will also cause extra resistance which could be the cause of the wires getting hot. If the wires are too small, that could be a cause of the wires getting hot.

As mentioned, go through all the wire connections to make sure they're clean and have good contact. Ground wire too.

Maybe post a pic so we can see what's going on. Sparking and hot wires is a recipe for disaster.

[Daniel_Heetderks 35]

9 minutes ago, rmaynard said:

What model are we taking about?

 

But in any case, make sure that your ground from the battery to the starter, (whether through a wire or through the frame), is clean and tight. Make sure that all the other high amperage wires are clean and tight. Sometimes the lugs on the wires come loose. 

Its a GT-1100. I will try to tighten and clean the wires. Thanks for the help!

[Daniel_Heetderks 35]

12 minutes ago, wallfish said:

Sparking from the wire connection is an indication of a bad/loose connection. That will also cause extra resistance which could be the cause of the wires getting hot. If the wires are too small, that could be a cause of the wires getting hot.

As mentioned, go through all the wire connections to make sure they're clean and have good contact. Ground wire too.

Maybe post a pic so we can see what's going on. Sparking and hot wires is a recipe for disaster.

The end of the wire has been melting a little bit, so that could be it. Thanks!

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 10,503]

Click on the picture to see a wiring diagram

 

[Daniel_Heetderks 35]

I removed the wires and cleaned them, and now its good as new. Thanks guys!

[rmaynard 14,909]

Good to hear that you found your problem 

[Horse Newbie 6,875]

to  

@Daniel_Heetderks !

Edited November 21, 2022 by Horse Newbie

[Horse Newbie 6,875]

Can you post some pics of the Work Horse GT-1100 ?

[Daniel_Heetderks 35]

3 hours ago, Horse Newbie said:

to  

@Daniel_Heetderks !

Thanks!