93 D21 electrical issue

[ametallihead]

i turned the key in my truck and i heard what sounded like a spark and lifted the hood and noticed that the positive cable on the battery was smoking. The arc came from a 2 wire harness off the (+) lead. It looks like it goes into the firewall. 1 black wire and 1 green wire. The green wire seems to have imploded within itself as all that is left is the green insulation. Surprised it did not melt.

I originally suspected the starter, but yanked that out and tested fine at autozone.

I have never had a problem starting. The lights work but when i turn the key , no starter, no relays, no accessories. The battery is fine.

Any help or insight is much appreciated!

Thanks.

[Rev_D21]

Did you burn up the fusible links?

[ametallihead]

I'm sure I did. Does anyone had a wiring diagram handy to make tracing this cable a bit easier first. I try to avoid fire!

[Rev_D21]

www.nicoclub.com/FSM has truck service manuals with schematics.

[ametallihead]

Right on! this should shed some light on my fun!

[ametallihead]

Looks like this runs to the Ignition Switch! mmm Troubleshooting!

[Rev_D21]

I have an official 93 FSM at home. If you need more research done let me know.

[AbleSmith]

my truck has a sbc with a compact hi-torque starter.it does the same thing with a low battery.and when it happens, everything cuts out; dash cluster, dome light, alarm sys.it's a little scary, completely shorted out electrical system thru the starter.i believe it nature of the beast with those mini-starters.never had that problem with the old delco starters. so kindly check the starter

[ametallihead]

So turns out that it was ONLY the fuseable link between the ECU and Ignition switch. Contacted the chap I bought the truck from and he confirmed he had starting issues and that wiggling the wires solved his problem. It was most likely on it's last leg for some time. And there was a split in the insulation. $13.00 later, my truck is back! :D:D:D

Do you see any problem with wrapping the link with electrical tape to protect the insulation from splitting?

[goten380]

where did you but the new links? you problem sounds just like mine but it burn out my alternator as well. I'd like to put a fuse in between the link and alternator, thoughts?