battery issue - won't crank - gets HOT!

[stratt134]

Ok so I just installed my FMIC from VR-Speed.com. Wasn't a bad install, some minor tweaking, etc, but it went in fine.

i went to start up the car and it just clicks the starter... all the lights dim and everything too....

SO i checked the battery and it is holding 12.5volts.... shouldn't be a problem right?

BUT i did notice that the positive terminal is VERY hot on the battery after trying to crank it over.....

VERY HOT I SAY!!!

Anyone have any idea what this might be? I checked the ground connection and it shows 12.4volts to the bolt on the firewall to the wires coming off of the positive terminal... so all connections are good.

Is this a starter motor that is locked up or something? I remember it doing this when leaving work a few weeks ago... just clicked a few times.... turned key off and back on and it started right up like there was no issue at all...

Any help is GREATLY appreciated....

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

make sure the terminals are clean AND tight. if you can remove the terminal connector from the battery with force, its not tight. I had a car that didn't start because of this. the connector was broken/loose.

also check starter

also you can check for voltage, but you need to check for cranking amps on a battery

nevertheless you were on the right path to pin pointing your problem, but check the above too.

 

[geoffskiGTS]

id check your grounds also, and make suer no wires are spilt ro frayed.

 

[stratt134]

1) terminals/grounds - are clean and tight - HENCE the voltage check i already did from the ground bolt on the firewall to the insides of the wires coming off of the positive terminal going to the fuse box.

2) starter - that's what I was thinking, but I jumped the car from a relatively old battery just sitting in another car, and it made my motor _slowly_ crank over, but not enough to fire, and only a few revolutions before it stopped...

3) how do I check cranking amps on the battery? I had a friend hold the voltmeter to the + and - terminals while I cranked it, and it only dropped to about 12.0/11.8 volts... how do I test for cranking amps?


thanks!

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

i believe kragen/autozone, etc wil test battery for free, i believe they check the cranking amps

have you tried with a different battery, or jump starting your car, if that works, then that should narrow things down,

 

[Tegetus25]

Do you hear your starter drive gear engaging? You can also take the whole starter into Advance Auto Parts or Orielly's to test. I would do that next to check for dead spots or shorts. The heat that you have suggests a short in the system.

 

[stratt134]

I haven't tried jumping it from another car yet, I will try that next.

WILL NOT be taking that starter out to have it checked, , that thing is a PAIN to get out.

I may also get a new battery just for the heck of it tho.

Are you sure there is a 'short' hence it getting hot? I don't think that is the case because I tried to jump it from another car and it started to turn over but stopped. I didn't have enough time to let it fully charge.....