sparks at starter switch stud

[Woodie1]

I am stumped. My battery was drained. I found when I try to connect the neg. battery cable to the starter switch stud I get sparks. If I disconnect the 2 wires at the front side of the cutout, then there are no sparks when I connect the battery cable to the starter switch.

 

[Bob C]

Cutout points a probably stuck closed.

 

[Woodie1]

I have a diode cutout. It may be shorted.

 

[Rob Doe]

Unhook the ground side and reattach it last.

 

[Woodie1]

Why would that make a difference?

 

[oldspert]

Why would that make a difference?

Prevents a load shock of hot voltage.
Ed

 

[Rob Doe]

I've learned that tidbit many years ago while working on aircraft and cars. Explaining it is above my pay grade. LOL

 

[Big hammer]

Unhook the ground side and reattach it last.

It’s the only safe way ! Now if you get sparks when you connect the ground you have something on , or a short , or if the starter turns over the starter switch is stuck ( it’ll give you a surprise )

 

[Woodie1]

I've never had to connect the ground side last on the cutout. Just got lucky & found the problem. Hope I will this time too.

 

[katy]

I have a diode cutout. It may be shorted.

Disconnect it, test it with a multimeter on ohms, should have continuity in one direction only, if it has continuity in both directions it is shorted, if no continuity in either direction it is open circuited.

 

[ronn]

you artent putting on the cables backwards?

 

[Woodie1]

The problem did end up being a shorted diode in the cutout. I changed it out & so far things are working as they should. I will try to get a test drive in tomorrow to see how it goes.

 

[Bruce of MN]

Well done!

 

[rotorwrench]

That can ruin a battery or a generator. The generator trying to motor can get hot enough to do some damage. The battery being drained like that can also cause some heat in there.