Battery wires almost catch fire on CUCV

[jgb680]

I suspect that I have a bad starter on my CUCV, but I need some input. The truck has been hard to start for some time now, because sometime the starter will start first try other times I have to click the ignition switch numerous times before the starter will actually fire. Today I tried to start the truck, the starter didn't work, I clicked the switch it still didn't start. The wires connected to my front battery started smoking, the wires on the rear battery were fine... Is this just a bad starter or does anyone have any ideas on other problems?

 

[Flyingvan911]

I don't know much about CUCV's but it sounds like you have a short somewhere in the starter circuit. Try tracing the wire and look for burn marks/charred wire insulation.

 

[Blood_of_Tyrants]

Take off every electrical connection between the battery and starter and clean all the terminals and inspect them for internal corrosion.

 

[Barrman]

Do the above and check the condition of the rear battery. If it is bad, the starter won't turn very fast and all the load will go to the front battery.

 

[majorhitt]

Like others have said check your connections. Every connection should be cleaned then use some anti oxidant coumpound at every joint. Sometimes the starter is stopped on a bad segment, When you try to start it, the starter sits on the bad segment and overheats. It may be time to have the starter checked out.