Thread: Starter cable short + amps + fire!

After my 2000 4.6s 5,345th engine crank, the RR starter motor cable decided it would mate with the chassis via a cumulative rubbing and eventual rupture and start a disturbingly loud under bonnet fire. Car fully dead. Glen anxious and blubbing.

See pic for the result. I was extremely worried about the extent of the damage.

So I raced to battery world to get custom cables made with big gauge cable for alternator and starter. I was so worried that the short and fire screwed the computers or starter but new cables installed and she fired up beautifully. Happy.

So I think the lesson is. Any cables carrying significant amps, having been exposed to vibration and rubbing are very likely to be just as dangerous as mine was. Check them, visually, and buy a fire extinguisher!

Originally Posted by glenhendry

After my 2000 4.6s 5,345th engine crank, the RR starter motor cable decided it would mate with the chassis via a cumulative rubbing and eventual rupture and start a disturbingly loud under bonnet fire. Car fully dead. Glen anxious and blubbing.

See pic for the result. I was extremely worried about the extent of the damage.

So I raced to battery world to get custom cables made with big gauge cable for alternator and starter. I was so worried that the short and fire screwed the computers or starter but new cables installed and she fired up beautifully. Happy.

So I think the lesson is. Any cables carrying significant amps, having been exposed to vibration and rubbing are very likely to be just as dangerous as mine was. Check them, visually, and buy a fire extinguisher!

Copy on the Fire extinguisher.