Click no start battery cables start smoking

[purple94]

been having intermittent click no start for a while, replaced starter a while ago been good for 3 weeks, click no start again today, and now the battery cables started smoking like crazy- positive touching ground somewhere? A short? Where do I start

 

[Jazzer]

Replace cables- they may be corroded and unable to pass current. To check, you can unhook the cable and use a known good jumper cable in its place. If that works you know it’s the cables.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yeah, it’s possible the starter has failed (new parts aren’t what they used to be for quality). But once you let the smoke out of the wires, it’s time for new wires. Check along them for anywhere they may have rubbed and shorted when you replace them. I’d replace both positive and negative wires, make sure you clean the areas they connect for good contact and use dielectric grease or No-alox (hardware store electric section) to keep corrosion at bay. Personally I make new cables out of 4 gauge welding cable.