Shorted starter
08-09-2013, 11:07 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Shorted starter
My starter was failing to make good contact today so I used the hammer method to get it to fire. I worked to get me in the drive and then I made one more test to see it it was actually the starter that was the problem. Bad descision. Smoke started coming from the electrical box and some from the 14 pin connnector. I guess next step is to inspect all wiring and replace what I see as bad and find a new starter.
08-09-2013, 11:45 PM
#2
Team Owner
Uh Oh..
it might be time for a new engine harness ,
now that you saw smoke,
this will rarely end well.
it might be time for a new engine harness ,
now that you saw smoke,
this will rarely end well.
08-10-2013, 12:34 AM
#3
Drifting
Thread Starter
I can see where it was burning the wiring. I will go back and replace untill I see good wires and put on the new starter. Will post pics this weekend of the damage but I am pretty sure once the main problem is solved it wil be OK. Keeping my fingers crossed anyway.
08-10-2013, 01:15 AM
#5
Drifting
Thread Starter
I did open up the main loom that goes under the coolant tank and to the fuse block. It did stick the plastic together but not nearly as hot as on the ends where it was burning. The main problem is the larger yellow wire. It looks to me like I should be able to inspect most of that wiring group for contact points and fix the ends. Since I might not be able to inspect every inch of it I wonder if it would be a good idea to just run an external wire to replace the yellow starter feed wire?
08-10-2013, 01:50 AM
#7
Nordschleife Master
I did open up the main loom that goes under the coolant tank and to the fuse block. It did stick the plastic together but not nearly as hot as on the ends where it was burning. The main problem is the larger yellow wire. It looks to me like I should be able to inspect most of that wiring group for contact points and fix the ends. Since I might not be able to inspect every inch of it I wonder if it would be a good idea to just run an external wire to replace the yellow starter feed wire?
You've had enough heat to have plastic stick together. Are you absolutely certain the multitude of wires within a given bundle are not now exposed to some degree ?
Yes, you can run a large line to starter independent of the bundle. The question you have to ask is 'do I want to'.
Trending Topics
08-10-2013, 09:24 AM
#8
Drifting
Thread Starter
The brown trigger wire going from the 14 pin cnnnector to the starter did not get nearly as hot and should be fine. My main problem will be everything around the large yellow feed wire going from the 14 pin to the fuse block.
Last edited by rgs944; 08-10-2013 at 09:56 AM.
08-10-2013, 10:46 AM
#10
Rennlist Member
Where was the yellow solenoid wire shorted? Was that related to the hammer, or internal to the starter? Or somewhere else?
08-10-2013, 05:31 PM
#11
Drifting
Thread Starter
I am doing some more damage inspection today. The yellow wire going to the solenoid from the 14 pin does seem to be OK. No damage to the small brown wire or any other wires in that section. It was dark last night but when I peel the protection back the wire is still clearly yellow. I have not seen the starter side yet but there is also no sticking to other wires at all in that loom. The main problem is the yellow wire going from the fuse block to the 14 pin. It is stuck to at least 2 two other wires. As I peel it back they do carefully seperate without exposing copper. I would think they would not be grounded in the loom but I need to figure that out exactly and decide the best course of action for fixing that section.
08-10-2013, 06:49 PM
#12
Drifting
Thread Starter
More bad news, A small brown wire off the 14 pin to the radiator area is completed toasted. It looks like that is the only damaged wire in that section but I can not get down very far without removing the radiator and fans. I am starting to wonder if maybe something else shorted out besides the starter to cause this. The only thing I am sure about right now is this is going to be an extensive fix. It is getting bad enough that I may just need to call the Insurance co. on Mon.
08-10-2013, 08:29 PM
#15
Drifting
Thread Starter
Does anyone know where that small brown wire routes to. It is the one from the 14 pin going down into the loom that goes to the fan area. This one looks completely brown so not to confuse it with the other brown wire coming from the 14 pin that looks to have striping. Could it be a ground wire? I did notice some damage to the ground point by the passenger headlight area. I am trying to figure out if it is the same wire.