NEG post melt down

[ourode12]

2004 Ridgeback; Bike starts and runs fine, for now (lol,lol). After releasing the start button the NEG post on the battery is melted down to liquid. After the bike is running the neg post/wire cools off. Tried a different battery, it did the same thing. I've read about VR recalls but mine is a 2004, nothing mentioned about that year. Not sure on the names/types of batteries I've installed (not home right now) but will get that posted. I don't want to start throwing parts at her yet, any ideas of a direction to go would be appreciated.

 

[Advodka]

I would start at the starter. Is the Pos. wire to the starter getting hot when you start it? Only thing I can think of is the starter + wire grounding to the frame when starting. Or your starter letting current travel through it into your frame.


Just my .02 cents

 

[KaptinAmerika]

Could be an internal issue with the starter as well.

 

[cueball]

If your starter is dragging excesiive current draw can cause this problem. When the starter starts to go bad it can incease the current draw thru the cables causing heat. Check the starter .

 

[Advodka]

Also make sure that all the bolts to the starter are tightened down good. I have seen that if your ground is not stable it will allow the starter to engage and basically arc to the frame.

 

[ourode12]

Could be an internal issue with the starter as well.

What kind of trouble-shooting can you do with the starter internally? I took the cap off and cleaned up the brushes on the right side.

 

[Zachusmc]

Sounds like the starter is drawing to much power

 

[bigdog10]

check the ground to the frame and the starter. might just be loose or dirty. make sure everything is tight. mine has loosened up a couple of times and melted the post a little not quite a puddle though. hope this helps

 

[john sachs]

Loose ground on both ends, paint effecting the ground to frame, excessive cranking to get it started, will all cause the problem. :angry:
John

 

[KaptinAmerika]

What kind of trouble-shooting can you do with the starter internally? I took the cap off and cleaned up the brushes on the right side.

You have to pull the starter and break it down to find internal issues.
The RSD starters are renowned for letting oil in to them, at least until Wild Steed Worx rebuilds it, and oil causes havoc with a starter. Could be a semi grounded field coil I could go on and on.
If you need a good starter rebuild

Starter Rebuild

 

[Five Five]

Loose Ground cable at batt or starter

 

[ourode12]

check the ground to the frame and the starter. might just be loose or dirty. make sure everything is tight. mine has loosened up a couple of times and melted the post a little not quite a puddle though. hope this helps

SORRY, but after finally getting home.......The melted post on the battery is the POS one:bang: I've checked all connections and grounds, all are tight and not corroded. The POS one on the starter had minimal corrosion under the boot but nothing major. Any ideas? Now that its the POS terminal.

 

[Sven]

2004 Ridgeback; Bike starts and runs fine

Doesn't sound like a starter issue/batter/ect. Sounds more like a heat issue imploding onto itself. Many thoughts on a ground issue, so I would start with a car's battery jumper cables.

Ground each part of the battery/starter body/frame to each other so there is no question that something is going to travel, not remain stationary and heat up.

Start the engine and turn it off. Did the new replacement cable remain cold? Start the bike again. Did the replacement wire heat up an this time?

Remove jumper cables. Start bike up. Does the new replacement cable feel warm to the touch now? If so... Make sense it might be a ground as some have stated?

Does not matter the cable. Then feel the posi side of the cable, but for sure, ground the bike like no tomorrow.

 

[Chateau Slate 66]

Maybe you already checked this but...

Depending on the type of battery there is a spacer that goes between the cable end and the battery post to make a secure connection. Without the spacer, the bolt can get tight before the cable end makes good, tight contact with the battery post.

You will think you have a tight connection but you really don't. This will definately melt the terminal.

 

[francoblay1]

Doesn't sound like a starter issue/batter/ect. Sounds more like a heat issue imploding onto itself. Many thoughts on a ground issue, so I would start with a car's battery jumper cables.

Ground each part of the battery/starter body/frame to each other so there is no question that something is going to travel, not remain stationary and heat up.

Start the engine and turn it off. Did the new replacement cable remain cold? Start the bike again. Did the replacement wire heat up an this time?

Remove jumper cables. Start bike up. Does the new replacement cable feel warm to the touch now? If so... Make sense it might be a ground as some have stated?

Does not matter the cable. Then feel the posi side of the cable, but for sure, ground the bike like no tomorrow.

SVEN!!! Are you feeling ok??? something is not right here.....

 

[ourode12]

Maybe you already checked this but...

Depending on the type of battery there is a spacer that goes between the cable end and the battery post to make a secure connection. Without the spacer, the bolt can get tight before the cable end makes good, tight contact with the battery post.

You will think you have a tight connection but you really don't. This will definately melt the terminal.

Yep. Spacers are in place. Well, they were. Battery has been removed, does it matter what kind of battery I have(manufacture)?

 

[RAW Blue Rider]

My Negative post melted once... the original equipment cables had gold plated ends, fancy but tended to loosen easily and that's what caused the melting.
Positive side, dunno but agree you should check any and all connection points, ground points, etc.. Got to be either a major draw or a major resistance somewhere.
Good luck!!

 

[Brew]

Did your seat short out on the POS terminal? Any signs of worn spots on your seat like where the terminal might be?

 

[ourode12]

Did your seat short out on the POS terminal? Any signs of worn spots on your seat like where the terminal might be?

No, No signs of the seat shorting it out. Even with a different battery, I started it again and the POS cable was extremely hot:angry: I didn't have to hold the starter button down too long to figure that out. Bike starts right off, when I let the starter button out the heat/hot POS cable cools off.:bang:

 

[prizepup]

I had this same melting post issue just a few months ago. Ended up being that I was missing the brass spacers between the cables and the battery posts. Check to see if your cables are in direct contact with your posts. That would be the easy fix if that's all it is.