EA81T Wagon ground issue (smokin wires)

[one eye]

mfg date 04/83

EA81T

AT

 

The wire from the Trans to the body near the spare tire area is smoking evertime I try and start it, where would I start to look to find what would be causing this? I looked for bare wires that might be grounding stuff out but I'm at a loss.............

[naru]

Not sure which wire you mean,but,I would start by making sure the ENGINE is well grounded.

[one eye]

Not sure which wire you mean,but,I would start by making sure the ENGINE is well grounded.

 

It is grounded in two places

 

Jeff

[3eyedwagon]

:lol:BURN IT DOWN... DOWN TO THE GWOUND!!!:lol:

[naru]

Pretty sure you are talking about the trans/body ground wire.

 

If nothing bad happens w/the key in the run position,but only while cranking the engine,it is a sure sign of a faulty engine ground(may look OK).

 

I would test the main engine ground by disconnecting the smoking wire and putting a voltmeter between battery - and the engine block.Should be no more than 0.5V while cranking.

 

If that doesn`t find a problem,I would unplug all electrical items from the trans and see if the smoking wire is still overloaded.

 

Might want to look at the battery/body ground too.

[Twitch de la Brat]

Stupid answer, but have you checked the starter wire?

Those things make a hell of a smoke show when they ground out. (Those from the BRAT know what I'm talking about.)

 

Otherwise have you checked out your tranny wires?

To me, smoke is usually caused by a hot wire gounding out and destroying the insulation.

You might try running a bare ground strap from the tranny to the body and see if it gets hot under the conditions you see smoke.

 

Also, as was suggested, try new ground straps.

 

Twitch