Hey All!

Finally got the Eclipse started after a full engine rebuilt. Has Wiseco 10.5 compression pistons. So, when I first got it fired up, I had a really rough idle. I tried to just keep it running to see if it would smooth out, and it didn't. I noticed that after running for a bit, the cat converter was RED HOT. I knew I had to be dumping fuel, so I shut it off. I found that there was an issue with the harness to the ignition coil and I wasn't getting spark, or getting intermittent spark to 2 of the cylinders.

I fixed the issue, and a few other minor bugs, and got it fired back up and running. It idles pretty good, but I noticed a couple things. First, when I changed the oil after finally getting it to idle correctly, and letting it run for a bit to seat the rings, the oil had a slight gas smell. I can only bet that because I was flooding 2 cylinders with no/intermittent spark that the rings were letting the gas right by. I am wondering if my rings are already going to be toast by trying to seat with a gas washed cylinder? I don't even have it off the jack stands yet...

Secondly, I noticed that the ground cable from the battery to the strut tower gets EXTREMELY hot. Like you cant touch it, its so hot. I've triple checked all the grounds, and everything looks good, so I am wondering if anyone has any insight as to what the issues might be.

So, got in the car today to take it for a drive. Dead. No lights, no nothing. Has a brand new Optima Red top and a brand new alternator. Jumped the car and it fires right up, but wont stay started. So I jump it again, leave it hooked to the running car for like 10min. I was able to drive it around the block before it died again. Is that all related to why the battery cable is getting super hot? I imagine the alternator isn't working...anyone want to chime in?

Sounds like something is backwords with the alternator or battery pix of engine bay?

This is the only one I have on me right now. I can get a close up of something specific if you need it(which I imagine you might haha). Thanks for the reply!

Okay, here is the battery area. The battery is out to be recharged. So, in the first pic, positive cable on the left. Negative on the right. Negative cable one runs from battery to post on strut tower. Negative cable 2 runs from the battery terminal to the upper starter bolt as a ground(pic 2). Is that incorrect?

E-CLIPS97 said:

Okay, here is the battery area. The battery is out to be recharged. So, in the first pic, positive cable on the left. Negative on the right. Negative cable one runs from battery to post on strut tower. Negative cable 2 runs from the battery terminal to the upper starter bolt as a ground(pic 2). Is that incorrect?

Click to expand...

Your negative battery cable should go to the chassis, not to a starter bolt, probably why it gets hot. The starter ground should go to the starter bolt, and the pos for it should go to the battery pos