99CivicB16

I have a 00 Civic coupe with ls. When i put the neg cable on the batt it arcs really bad and starts to melt and will see smoke around the starter. i disconnect the cable runnin to starter and was able to put the neg wire on no problems/no arc and power works. could there be a short in the positive wire or neg wire? any help would be appreciated

Jenkinsal2

When did it last work? what did you do after that? that is most likely the problem. I think you should have somebody look at it as you dont sound super familiar with Automotive electrical.

Fabrik8

If you had a short in the negative wire, nothing would happen unless it is shorted to the positive wire. Ground is ground, and shorting a ground cable to ground still makes it ground.

Sounds like you do have a short though, and I'm guessing that it's inside the starter. There are very few things that can create a large enough short to make the battery cable melt, and the starter is one of them. Make sure it isn't hooked up backwards; if it's currently hooked up correctly you probably need a new starter.

Be very careful though, shorting a battery like that can damage the battery and/or make it leak or burst.

99CivicB16

Should have stated that i replaced starter last night and same happened. I was just told to check they wire goin to alt also

98formulaLS1

haha yes, it sounds like you connected the positive cable on the starter to where the ground should be connected. The starter is grounded by making contact to the engine chassis. So, yes, switch those cables on the starter solenoid.