Hi all,
Dunno if this is normal but on my Orion 1.6i Ghia mfi the big red cable from the starter motor to the battery gets really hot at the battery...? If this isn't normal what could be wrong? The cable looks a bit tired with one or two cracks so maybe a new one? Also the battery light glows at night with the lights on but its a new alternator (55amp) if thats anything to do with it?
Any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
David

 

replace the earth lead as well as the battery lead. Sounds like there is too much current flowing and the wiring isn't of a high enough rating (amps) to cope.

 

Thanks! Will try and get a new one soon. Its got a pretty new earth cable btw on bare metal etc.

 

does it get hot all the time or only after you've just started the car?

 

Ants, yeah I think it does as I had it running for about 10 mins and it was almost too hot to touch! Hope the battery dont explode or anything! lol
I thought it could get hot when starting due to the starter needing loads of amps but surely it would cool down after 10odd mins.
Thanks

 

Could be the stater its self Mate

 

Battery light glowing can mean either alternator on its way out... a poor connection at alternator or in between but most common poor contacts on ignition barrell.

If your batteries hot your alternator could possibly be overcharging. Check the voltage with the vehicle running.... should be between 13.3 and 14.4v .... if its over then the voltage regulator in the alternator is fooked.
Which at worst will mean new alternator and new battery.

If not it might be the starter motor drawing too much current on cranking. Any autoelectrical garage will be able to check the current draw using an amps clamp. Also disconnect the earth and positive cables and check the resistance of them end to end with a multimeter set to ohms. A high resistance would indicate that the cables need replacing.

Paul T