McGyver or what?...... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sixnine · 05-11-2003, 11:17 PM

I replaced the starter on my truck a few days ago. Well, evidently, I didn't make sure the battery cable was installed correctly. I just slapped the cables on and bolted it up. The next morning, I was headed to class when the truck died. I was in the fast lane and it was morning rush hour so I had to dodge a few cars and limp to the shoulder. Guess what it was? The battery cable was touching the exhaust collector and once it heated up enough to melt the cable insulation, instant ground! Almost blew the battery! Not having any tools, I looked around in the ditch and found a metal top to a Copenhagen can and cut a piece of my rubber floor mat. I wrapped the rubber around the cable and wedged the Copenhagen lid between the collector and the cable. Voila! Truckin' again! I actually drove it like this for a couple of more days until I could get the time to replace the cables (both were fried from the ground to ground situation) the battery survived. Moral of this story is, make sure you check the battery cable when you replace the starter.

Longhorn Man · 05-11-2003, 11:49 PM

Hmmm, that remindes me...Fine 69 pointed out the .0300 inch or so clearance inbetween my header and batt. cable 6 months ago or so.
Maybe I should do something bout that.

Pumkin Truck · 05-12-2003, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sixnine
Moral of this story is, make sure you check the battery cable when you replace the starter.

Oh, my bad, I thought that the moral of your story was to have some tools handy next time.

SEVEND2 · 05-12-2003, 12:47 AM

Originally posted by sixnine
Moral of this story is, make sure you check the battery cable when you replace the starter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh, my bad, I thought that the moral of your story was to have some tools handy next time.
________________________________________________

I thought it was Keep your wires away from your exhaust,and keep a can of Chew in your truck!

Seriously, thannks for the heads up and the info. Glad you, your Truck and batt are OK!

cableguy0 · 05-12-2003, 12:50 AM

i had that happen once but wasnt quite so lucky. the header pipe burned all the way through the battery cable and i ended up using a pair of jumper cables to connect the cable back together to get it home and then go to the parts store.

casey · 05-12-2003, 01:07 AM

sixnine you are a McGyver, cool story, nothing like a good McGyver move

pissonNOS · 05-12-2003, 01:11 AM

i had the exact same thing happen and drove it this way for a month every once ina while my deck would cut out and i had everyone look at it even had people tell me my rockford deck was no good bought head cleaners replaced fuses rewired everything new fuse box. In the end i traced it down and found it when i was under the hood and moved my arm and sparks started to fly my damn baterry cable was resting on an exhaust bolt and almost melted thru lucky or what

Blue Beard · 05-12-2003, 08:33 AM

Lucky I was home when I found the same problem.

Mine was so far gone, there was only 4 strands of wire holding it together.......

Longhorn Man · 05-12-2003, 11:41 PM

Some one with a white short bed on here fried a hole in his header a little over a year ago....

**68 Stepside** · 05-13-2003, 08:26 PM

That "someone" is still driving the truck with the hole in the header tube...I think he used a pop can and hose clamps to fix the hole???? Maybe he can chime in and inform us

Longhorn Man · 05-13-2003, 08:49 PM

LOL!
Actually, i sent some headers to him via another member who never visits us anymore.
I guess the headers never made it there.

**old Rusty C10** · 05-13-2003, 09:02 PM

i went to the help section of the auto parts store and got some hold downs and made sure i attached the cable to the frame and oil pan so i dont let the wire to the starter get messed up

*racedvl* · 05-13-2003, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by longhornmail
Some one with a white short bed on here fried a hole in his header a little over a year ago....

Hey!!! My pop can headder fix works just fine!!!

It even just passed emmisions!!

Nah I never did get those headders Andy.

Such is life.

GMC71k20 · 05-13-2003, 09:58 PM

sixnine with a nice mcgyver move and racedvl with a nice hillbilly fix

*racedvl* · 05-13-2003, 10:10 PM

Ya know my battery actually surived as well.

05-11-2003, 11:17 PM	#1
sixnine Longtime Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Over Yonder (DFW) Posts: 171	McGyver or what?...... I replaced the starter on my truck a few days ago. Well, evidently, I didn't make sure the battery cable was installed correctly. I just slapped the cables on and bolted it up. The next morning, I was headed to class when the truck died. I was in the fast lane and it was morning rush hour so I had to dodge a few cars and limp to the shoulder. Guess what it was? The battery cable was touching the exhaust collector and once it heated up enough to melt the cable insulation, instant ground! Almost blew the battery! Not having any tools, I looked around in the ditch and found a metal top to a Copenhagen can and cut a piece of my rubber floor mat. I wrapped the rubber around the cable and wedged the Copenhagen lid between the collector and the cable. Voila! Truckin' again! I actually drove it like this for a couple of more days until I could get the time to replace the cables (both were fried from the ground to ground situation) the battery survived. Moral of this story is, make sure you check the battery cable when you replace the starter. __________________ Rokcrln - *"I'm a major car addict so trying to go as low buck as possible is like asking a coke head to use flower to save money."* 1972 C10 Short Step -http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=261405

05-12-2003, 12:47 AM	#4
SEVEND2 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Menifee, Calif, USA Posts: 2,146	Originally posted by sixnine Moral of this story is, make sure you check the battery cable when you replace the starter. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oh, my bad, I thought that the moral of your story was to have some tools handy next time. ________________________________________________ I thought it was Keep your wires away from your exhaust,and keep a can of Chew in your truck! Seriously, thannks for the heads up and the info. Glad you, your Truck and batt are OK! __________________ With a 1972 Chevy Custom-10 Long bed w/350cid th350, (under-construction). Progress on truck so far (follow link): http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=51051 and stage 2 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=58132 ~ "Why couldn't you have just put the bunny back in the box?" ~

05-12-2003, 12:50 AM	#5
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	i had that happen once but wasnt quite so lucky. the header pipe burned all the way through the battery cable and i ended up using a pair of jumper cables to connect the cable back together to get it home and then go to the parts store. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

05-12-2003, 01:11 AM	#7
pissonNOS senior member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: fort macleod alberta Posts: 2,770	i had the exact same thing happen and drove it this way for a month every once ina while my deck would cut out and i had everyone look at it even had people tell me my rockford deck was no good bought head cleaners replaced fuses rewired everything new fuse box. In the end i traced it down and found it when i was under the hood and moved my arm and sparks started to fly my damn baterry cable was resting on an exhaust bolt and almost melted thru lucky or what __________________ 69 GMC bagged

05-12-2003, 08:33 AM	#8
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,831	Lucky I was home when I found the same problem. Mine was so far gone, there was only 4 strands of wire holding it together....... __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

05-11-2003, 11:49 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Hmmm, that remindes me...Fine 69 pointed out the .0300 inch or so clearance inbetween my header and batt. cable 6 months ago or so. Maybe I should do something bout that.

05-12-2003, 01:07 AM	#6
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	sixnine you are a McGyver, cool story, nothing like a good McGyver move

05-12-2003, 11:41 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Some one with a white short bed on here fried a hole in his header a little over a year ago....

05-13-2003, 08:26 PM	#10
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,690	That "someone" is still driving the truck with the hole in the header tube...I think he used a pop can and hose clamps to fix the hole???? Maybe he can chime in and inform us __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

05-13-2003, 08:49 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	LOL! Actually, i sent some headers to him via another member who never visits us anymore. I guess the headers never made it there.

05-13-2003, 09:02 PM	#12
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,345	i went to the help section of the auto parts store and got some hold downs and made sure i attached the cable to the frame and oil pan so i dont let the wire to the starter get messed up __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

05-13-2003, 09:58 PM	#14
GMC71k20 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: mass Posts: 1,278	sixnine with a nice mcgyver move and racedvl with a nice hillbilly fix

05-13-2003, 10:10 PM	#15
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	Ya know my battery actually surived as well.



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