[79chevy4x4]

what would cause my postyive battery cable to melt

 

[Irelands child]

You have one heluva load for the cable size (or else a dead short) that you have to find. NOW or you chance your vehicle being a crispy critter !!!!

Dave

 

[vicrod]

A car battery, fully charged, will produce 500 amps or more for 30 seconds. This is called "Cold Cranking Amps".

If the starter is shorted or the positive battery cable is grounded all that energy will be concentrated in the copper wire, which then becomes a heater and melts the insulation.

vicrod

 

[79chevy4x4]

ok guys my cable was just bare at the end where it connets to the battery i got another one that semmed to clear the problem

 

[Irelands child]

ok guys my cable was just bare at the end where it connets to the battery i got another one that semmed to clear the problem

Just in case, I would suggest you use a clamp on ammeter with the engine off (and the key in your pocket) to check for any current flow. Then, at start up and then during running conditions. Something else may have caused the insulation to disappear and the wire melt.

 

[docvette]

Doc here, imp:

You might want to also double check around the starter area, where the cable attach's to the solenoid.

You may have some loose tin or metal that can / Has shorted at that terminal..causing a BIG short..

It's much better/cheaper to be safe than sorry..

As everyone has said..It takes a LOT of current to melt a battery cable.

Good luck!

Doc imp: