Hello, Alan,
Heat in an electrical circuit shows that there is resistance so try
these tactics...
1. Clean all battery terminals and reassemble with a coating of
petroleum jelly.
If this doesn't solve the problem, there is resistance either in the
cable running to the starter or in the starter itself, so...
2. Check the cable underneath the car. It could be shorting to the body
intermittently (big resistance). If it is, you'll probably see melted
insulation. If so, replace the cable.
3. Check the connection to the starter. Again, replace if burnt.
4. Ditto for the other connection, from the solenoid to the starter. If
this is burnt, it indicates an internal short in the starter.
5. Unlikely cause, but check the earth (ground) straps at the battery
and engine end.
*Remember to do these jobs with battery disconnected.
At a full 12 volts and battery amperage, sufficient resistance to
temporarily kill the battery will do visible damage to the insulation.
If this is present, we're talking fire risk.
Hope this helps,
Dave Hill, UK.
Alan Lott wrote:
>
> Ok, here I am stuck at school. My 71B has been doing the same thing for
> about 3 days now. It cranks perfectly (good strong battery) on one attempt,
> then will not crank at all on the next ... "click, click, click". Its been
> sitting since 7:30 am this morning, so its not necessarily after it heats
> up. I pulled the cover and checked the battery after a few "click, click,
> clicks" and in checking the terminals, the positive terminal was incredibly
> hot (temperature) after trying to crank the car. Does this mean a short? How
> can it be that it exhibits "dead battery" symptoms and then an hour later
> cranks like a new car? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
>
> ~alan
> '71B
>
> Reply to:
> Alan Lott
> GTA, Auburn Univeristy
> Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education
>
> My Office- (334) 844-2092
> Department- (334) 844-5943
> Fax- (334) 844-2080
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