electrical issue

[goat]

I left my key on over night. when i went to leave it turned over twice than but started clickin like the battery was dead i charged it than tried to crank it an it just clicked everytime. so i got a new solenoid and still same thing so i tried to jump it of thinking not enough power and my power wir that hooks to the battery melted. i changed it out. Tried to hook the battery up and it sparked with key off. Got a test set out and both side of the solenoid were getting power with key off. This is where i stand i dont have a clue as to whats wrong

 

[RonD]

Well something got miss wired, or is shorted.

Solenoid has two larger posts, one post connects to starter motor the other has the battery "+" cable, the post with the battery "+" cable will also have the alternator cable.
Solenoid will also have 1 or 2 smaller posts, the "S" post is the one that closes the solenoid and passes power to the starter from the battery.
The "I" post, if it has one, would go to the Coil.

Starter motor----------------solenoid------------------Battery "+"
........................................../
........................................"S"
12v from ignition switch, only when key is turned all the way to START



With key off:
If you have 12v on the starter motor post then solenoid is closed, new or not it is closed.
Remove the smaller "S" wire from it's smaller post on the solenoid, if solenoid "clicks" then that wire has a 12v short, this wire connects to ignition switch and should only have 12volts when key is in the START position, not ON, only START.

If this is the case then ignition switch may have a short, not the Key switch, the ignition switch under the steering column, it is operated by the key being turned.


As for the battery, when a battery is older and it gets drained very low it can short out inside, so battery may be unchargable, it will actually drain voltage from other battery being used to jump.
Test your battery voltage, under 12v is bad, if voltage starts dropping with just the test meter hooked up, I would shop for another battery, AFTER you figure out the wiring issue.
Good battery will have 12.4volts to 12.8volts

 

[wildbill23c]

Had this same issue with my B2, actually was so bad that the solenoid closed and was supplying power to the starter continuously. Replaced the solenoid thinking nothing of it, figured the solenoid was just old and just went bad. It was fine for a day, then it happened again. This time I dug around more and found a couple of bare wires where insulation had been worn off of them and were hitting the fender. I cut and spliced the wires and haven't had a problem sense.

I'd start digging through your wires and checking them for bare spots, if your solenoid is getting power to the starter side you have a definite short somewhere, until that is corrected you are going to have serious problems. Your starter may be fried as well.