Battery question

[David Williamson]

So I had a friend who is a licensed mechanic come by and tell me that I most likely had a sticky needle in my lifter on the carb.
So to tap it to loosen it out or make it work, but if that didn't work to just give it up and buy a new one.
But the tapping worked, as far as I can tell.

Why I say that is, I left my car turned over while I worked on it and it killed my battery so I charged it at auto zone and brought it home.
The positive (+) cable every time I would try to start it, it wouldn't start and would smoke so I checked it and saw it was stripped and cracked.
So I assumed that was it so i bought new bolts.
Put it on the cable and it still didn't start, now the black one was smoking but it was a perfect bolt.
But I switched it anyway just to make sure.
Switched it out, now the smoke is coming from the bottom of the left side of my engine, also from the cables (both).

I cannot start the car at all it just tries to turn over but wont and starts to smoke so I stop.

I am needing help, again.
I am in such a bum mood I just need this all to work out.

 

[bill]

So I had a friend who is a licensed mechanic come by and tell me that I most likely had a sticky needle in my lifter on the carb.
So to tap it to loosen it out or make it work, but if that didn't work to just give it up and buy a new one.
But the tapping worked, as far as I can tell.

Why I say that is, I left my car turned over while I worked on it and it killed my battery so I charged it at auto zone and brought it home.
The positive (+) cable every time I would try to start it, it wouldn't start and would smoke so I checked it and saw it was stripped and cracked.
So I assumed that was it so i bought new bolts.
Put it on the cable and it still didn't start, now the black one was smoking but it was a perfect bolt.
But I switched it anyway just to make sure.
Switched it out, now the smoke is coming from the bottom of the left side of my engine, also from the cables (both).

I cannot start the car at all it just tries to turn over but wont and starts to smoke so I stop.

I am needing help, again.
I am in such a bum mood I just need this all to work out.

Seen a lot of this happening lately...this heat wave is killing weak batteries. Heat sink in the starter will cause it to really pull a lot of amps and if the battery is weak or the cables are old, thats what will happen. Make sure your ground wire is clean and not corroded and make sure the cables are tight. The water in the battery should also be checked. Use distilled water if possible. Its possible you have a bad starter. Its also possible your battery is fried. Try using a good battery. If it starts up, then that the problem. If it doesnt, your starter is probably shot.

 

[Black Sheep]

Cables aren't big enough.

 

[David Williamson]

So I had a friend who is a licensed mechanic come by and tell me that I most likely had a sticky needle in my lifter on the carb.
So to tap it to loosen it out or make it work, but if that didn't work to just give it up and buy a new one.
But the tapping worked, as far as I can tell.

Why I say that is, I left my car turned over while I worked on it and it killed my battery so I charged it at auto zone and brought it home.
The positive (+) cable every time I would try to start it, it wouldn't start and would smoke so I checked it and saw it was stripped and cracked.
So I assumed that was it so i bought new bolts.
Put it on the cable and it still didn't start, now the black one was smoking but it was a perfect bolt.
But I switched it anyway just to make sure.
Switched it out, now the smoke is coming from the bottom of the left side of my engine, also from the cables (both).

I cannot start the car at all it just tries to turn over but wont and starts to smoke so I stop.

I am needing help, again.
I am in such a bum mood I just need this all to work out.

Seen a lot of this happening lately...this heat wave is killing weak batteries. Heat sink in the starter will cause it to really pull a lot of amps and if the battery is weak or the cables are old, thats what will happen. Make sure your ground wire is clean and not corroded and make sure the cables are tight. The water in the battery should also be checked. Use distilled water if possible. Its possible you have a bad starter. Its also possible your battery is fried. Try using a good battery. If it starts up, then that the problem. If it doesnt, your starter is probably shot.

I have left my car out there all day with my hood open like literally all day and it reached 99% that's not including the heat index.
If I put it back in the garage over night you think it will cool down and start up or should I check everything?

 

[David Williamson]

Cables aren't big enough.

Its the same ones I have had from the start.
what size should they be?

 

[bill]

Cables aren't big enough.

Its the same ones I have had from the start.
what size should they be?

Size 1 is best, 2 is the limit....anything smaller is too small. Most of the stuff you find at AZ or Advance is a 4 and isnt big enough for a V-8
but I think Napa has cables in any size or length and will make them up for ya. disconnect the batter and check the water first...then chk the cable ends and make sure they are clean and tight. Make sure the negative cable has a ground wire going to the body. Make sure the engine is grounded to the body. Most issues with batterys, starters, etc are related to the lack of a good ground or a large enough ground wire.

 

[David Williamson]

Cables aren't big enough.

Its the same ones I have had from the start.
what size should they be?

Size 1 is best, 2 is the limit....anything smaller is too small. Most of the stuff you find at AZ or Advance is a 4 and isnt big enough for a V-8
but I think Napa has cables in any size or length and will make them up for ya. disconnect the batter and check the water first...then chk the cable ends and make sure they are clean and tight. Make sure the negative cable has a ground wire going to the body. Make sure the engine is grounded to the body. Most issues with batterys, starters, etc are related to the lack of a good ground or a large enough ground wire.

Alrighty I am going to go check it now.
thanks, should I possibly take pictures of the wires and where the ground is to show you all what I have, so you all can see if their good/thick enough or at a good ground?

 

[bill]

pics always help, with good lighting of course...lol

 

[David Williamson]

pics always help, with good lighting of course...lol

I went out there, My lights are all very briigh no dimness to them.
My radio works everything seems to be amazing.

there is a good ground going to my alt shield piece and one going to the quarter.

But when I turn the key it makes a ticking noise and all my lights go very very dim.

 

[kyhunter89]

I'm thinking the starter is fine, if its clicking, bang on it with a hammer for luck. Wiggle the cable ends and try it. It shouldn't be too hot at night if the cars not been running. Don't worry about the thickness yet. Pics help.

charge battery again, test, change starter as last option, don't just start changing parts.