1992 nissan maxima battery cable gets hot?

Question

hello, i have 1992 nissan maxima. there is 2 wires attached to the positive side of the battery. the smaller wire seems to get very hot after i start the car. also when i disconnect that smaller wire the engine idles a little higher. then when i reconnect the engine idles a little slower and the wire gets hot again. also when i disconnect that wire, my brake light comes on. i step on the brake and i hear a click coming from my shifter and the light goes out. very confusing but i think i may have a short or something. to make things simple, i have a wire coming from my positive side on my battery that gets hot. does anyone know where the wires go from the positive side of the battery on a 1992 nissan maxima. thank you

Answer 1

The second or small wire is usually fitted after market for some accessory and you need to replace it ASOp as it is likely to burn out if getting too hot you may hae it overloaded with too many things to carry ~~

Answer 2

Corry , remove the plugs and try cranking the engine to see if it cranks fast and normal. the cable getting that hot is caused by resistance. an engine that is struggling to turn will cause the starter to bind up and the cables indicate this quickly. when the engine timing is way off the pistons and the valves are not working as a team and as a result the starter is struggling to spin the motor. remember the valves must be opened as the exhaust stroke begins up and when the piston is going up to compress the fuel and air they must be closed. a valve closing to soon on the exhaust stroke causes the cylinder to try to compress the remaining burned gas and air. as an example if you hand crank the piston to the top dead center location and check the valves it should either have an exhaust valve open or both valves closed. both valves closed is the correct arrangement. if this is not right and you find the exhaust pushing down hand turn the motor around again till the crank is again pointing to top dead center. at this time the two should be closed. In the case of neither being this way the cam is not in the right location and must be corrected. when correct and the crank is pointed to t.d.c. the valves are both closed the engine should start. provided its not flooding and the spark is present.

Answer 3

So the wire insulation is melting? Your disconnecting the battery to alternator wire that takes alternator load away engine speeds up and that lack of voltage turns on warning lights on the dash. Sounds like you have not killed the alternator yet. Get the battery tested it can be shorting inside. and have tha alternator output tested it can be overcharging. Please check the ground side of the battery cable. Battery to body then to the side of the engine all one cable. Your very fortunate that cars alternator starter and battery are easy to change.

Answer 4

That is weird, find out where that small wire goes to.... it probably gets hot due to high current flow through the small gage wire. I would trace the wire to see where it goes.

Answer 5

do you have an amp? if not i'd say you have a bad electrcal system.