Did I Fry Something?

[86WH1TType]

Im leaving Walmart and drive across the street to Michaels. I notice a strange smell and I think to myself "I hope thats not my car". Everything is running fine though. There was lots of road contruction so I thought it might be them. So after I come out of Michaels I try to start my car and its dead. Not even the headlights will go on. I open the hood and it stank. Its a smell I dont know but definitely a burnt-type of smell. I guess thats not alot of info but anyone have any idea of where I should start? TIA

 

[5ltretr]

did you check the positive battery cable?

 

[Turbo Brian]

You probably have a short that caused one of the fusable links at the starter to blow. That fusable link protected your wire harness from burning.

See if the positive battery cable or any other electrical wire has any missing insulation (maybe a wire touched an exhaust pipe). Once you find the short, it is a simple matter to replace the fried fusable link.

 

[86WH1TType]

Ok...i am completly clueless with electrical stuff. I checked the positive cable and there is a spot were the plastic covering is gone and a bit of the cable itself is melted/missing (but no metal wire showing through).

Whats a fusable link?

 

[trbojo]

if you don't know anything about electrical stuff,DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING!!you could really cook something, including the WHOLE CAR! i've seen it too many times. someone just fixes a wire, the cars runs again, then 3 days later it comes in on a hook TOASTED! take it to someone who knows what they're doing.

 

[86WH1TType]

Originally posted by trbojo
if you don't know anything about electrical stuff,DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING!!you could really cook something, including the WHOLE CAR! i've seen it too many times. someone just fixes a wire, the cars runs again, then 3 days later it comes in on a hook TOASTED! take it to someone who knows what they're doing.

Well thats encouraging

 

[trbojo]

i'm not trying to demean or insult you, just trying to save you from heartbreak. i've been working on cars for 18yrs.?? and i still make mistakes sometimes. there's just certain things you shouldn't try yourself if you don't know how. it will be much less expensive in the end to get it done by a pro. as an example, when i install my 3" downpipe, i'm going to have someone else port my wastegate hole because i know i don't have the perfect touch with a die grinder and i'm not going to risk ruining an almost brand new $800 turbo when i can pay $150 to someone with experience in that area, even though i'm excellent with just about everything else. it may cost you 1-2 hundred bucks to have an electrical problem fixed, but you'll still have your car. an electrical problem bad enough to have that burnt smell is usually pretty serious. good luck with it.

 

[Hawaiian Turbo]

There are three fusable links connected to the starter. Get a test light or ohm meter. They look like a piece of black tape rolled up to about 1/2 inch. Test from the terminal on the starter to the other side of the link. There just like fuses,blow if there's a short. Hope that makes sense

 

[86WH1TType]

Originally posted by trbojo
i'm not trying to demean or insult you, just trying to save you from heartbreak.

I totally appreciate your concern.

I also dont concider myself to be much of a mechanic. I blew my engine a while back and with the help of you guys and gnttype we got my car running again (untill now ). Saving $3000.00 doing it myself. Would it have come out better if someone else did it? Probably. However buy blowing my engine and learning from my mistake I learned more then I ever would have if the car never broke or if I had some else fix it. So in a way Im glad that my engine blew. You know what I mean?

Now do I want to toast my car? Of course not, but its all about learning right?

 

[86WH1TType]

Originally posted by Turbo Brian
You probably have a short that caused one of the fusable links at the starter to blow. That fusable link protected your wire harness from burning.

See if the positive battery cable or any other electrical wire has any missing insulation (maybe a wire touched an exhaust pipe). Once you find the short, it is a simple matter to replace the fried fusable link.

(color came out strange)

That do it?

 

[Hawaiian Turbo]

It's hard to tell if it penetrated the coating. Did you check your links yet?

 

[Turbo Brian]

It could have been the culprit. Replace the cable or at least tape it up and get a new conduit to protect it. Make sure the cable routing is away from any moving parts and high temps.

Next check the fusable links coming off of the starter, one or more of them has blown. Replacements are available at most parts stores and can be spliced in with a wire crimper.

 

[86WH1TType]

Originally posted by Hawaiian Turbo
There are three fusable links connected to the starter. Get a test light or ohm meter. They look like a piece of black tape rolled up to about 1/2 inch. Test from the terminal on the starter to the other side of the link. There just like fuses,blow if there's a short. Hope that makes sense

Have any pictures?

EDIT: Found them