Starter motor doesnt work... fried earth wire...

[RomanV]

Okay so last friday, I took my car into pitstop, to have the flexi join replaced in my exhaust.

Picked up the car in the afternoon, no problems. Car had a funny smell coming from it, which I had assumed was either a byproduct of their welding, or perhaps something they used to clean the exhuast with before welding, which was burning off.

It kept on making this funny smell, and then after a day or two, my car wouldnt start. The battery definitely wasnt flat, everything else worked fine.
I plugged in another starter motor to see if that would work, but no luck.
Then while I was poking around in the engine bay, I noticed that my earth wire from the chassis to the engine/gbox was completely fried! The plug that joins the two halves of it together is completely destroyed, and melted looking.

Now obviously I need to replace this earth strap. But is this a cause, or an effect? I dont want to replace it, only to have the same thing happen again.

I'm thinking that it's too much of a coincidence that it only started happening, straight after getting this work done.

I called them and asked where they placed the earth for the welding gear, and they said directly onto the exhaust pipe. Could the high current from the welding, have melted the wire?

I've got a track day at taupo in two weeks, and I dont want my car to be having problems on they way there or back!

[Jebus]

Long story short Dave, dont take your ca to Pit stop and youll have no troubles.

Forgot to take the battery terminal off?? I think so

[sergei]

Probably a coincidence. I found that old earth wires tend to crapout once in a while. There can be a problem with main earth wire burning out (as it happend to me) the starter tries to earth through other wires including sensor grounds and ecu grounds. When it happend to me I had one of the tracks in the speedo blown.

[RomanV]

They said they dont take the battery terminals off at all, because they've got a surge protector device that they put on the leads instead... or something to that extent.

Yes I'd rather avoid going to pitstop or anywhere else, but welding is one thing that I cant do myself, and I needed it done fairly quickly.

(Mates rates = paying with time, instead of money)

[Jebus]

(Mates rates = paying with time, instead of money)

Not what your mum reckons

[RomanV]

Not what your mum reckons

Lucky for you, your Mum makes me pay just as much as everyone else.

[Jebus]

Fukc you for editing your post after I reply with a witty comeback

Fatty!

[RomanV]

And again!

[Jebus]

You like that, huh?

[Mr Revhead]

on topic you monkeys!!!

[gepsk8]

was the cable loose? if so it could be not there fault.
when was the gbos out last?
if not sounds like they should not be so god dam lazy disconnect the battey.
what branch was it?
can i see a pic?

[RS13]

Yeah, this thread feels a little empty without pics.

[Adamal]

I'd replace it and just keep an eye on it. Check it after every time you drive it.

Oh, and before you ask, the answer is NO. You cannot borrow mine. When am I getting my strut brace back? And don't you bring your book up! Cause I gave that to you last time you were here and you put it aside and forgot about it, and left it here!

Also, just a suggestion, when you're at the track day, take the brace with you and try a few laps with it on and with it off, see if you notice any considerable difference. Wouldn't mind finding out what you think

[Lloyd]

Sounds like coincidence. Changes are there would have been a smell from the welding work, though you'd know if it was a melting plastic smell as thats pretty distinctive. Haven't taken battery leads off for welding before, never been an issue.

[DR]

I've welded with the battery still hooked up (accidently) $&#$% the battery and have intermitant starter issues now.

for all of the 30 seconds it takes to take the leads off, theres no reason to leave them on.

I really need to go over the car with a fine tooth comb and check all my earth leads.

[Adamal]

Haven't taken battery leads off for welding before, never been an issue.

Err.... Either you haven't done any welding on a car with an ECU before, or you're just plain lucky.

[Lloyd]

Plenty of cars with ECUs, just make sure you put a surge protector on the battery and unplug the oxygen sensor

[Caveman]

Ive welded with the battery connected but I usually try to remember to disconnect it.

For all of 30 seconds its definatly worth it. Have heard of electrical problems after welding.

Although I cant see why it would cause any problems? Anyone know why?

[thaphatty]

fully depends on if your mig/arc or gas.

clearly welding with gas isnt going to fry your electric system, unless you burn it on purpose

[big_boy]

i would more say it depends on were they put the earth if they put it on the chassie to weild the exuast no wounder its burnt out as that would mean the current had to use it