<VV> batteries discharging - starter cable shorting ?

Tue Sep 12 23:54:54 EDT 2006

Back in 1968, on my first Corvair, a Corsa 140 convert, I had a case where 
battery hold-down strap came loose, and the battery slid back, bit by bit, 
stretching out the starter cable.

Short version :
--------------
Stretching out the starter cable caused the battery's 12V line to the 
starter to wear through the grommet through the chassis, and it actually CUT 
about 3" through the metal which I discovered after the left carbs caught 
fire while I was driving.

I don't know how long it was doing this before it finally caused a fire 
(unfused, as it was.)

Is this your problem ?   Check your battery cable grommets.

Long version :
--------------
I discovered this "short circuit" while driving my Corsa, top down, when I 
stopped at a light and I was consumed by black smoke which I noticed was 
coming from my rear vents.

Opening the rear deck, I saw the entire left (driver's side) bank of the 
engine burning, up in flames.

Having recently seen what the dear old FD can do to a car, and not being 
very aware of the fact that it could have blown up (it didn't), I quickly 
drove around a corner out of view of anyone who could call them, and 
wondered what to do about this.

The smoke was gone and I could see the flames quite clearly, about a foot 
high, but only on the left (battery) side.

A little kid saw the flames and stood by an oscillating lawn sprinkler with 
a trash can lid, waiting for it to fill up as it waved past him.  Nice of 
him to try and I was hoping he would never get enough water to "help," only 
to pour water on a gas fire.  Not a good idea, but better than letting the 
FD have an attack on my precious Corsa convert.

Anyway, with few options left, I played the "Big Bad Bear" and "huffed and 
puffed" and blew the fire out, with about five long winded total expulsions 
of everything my lungs had to offer. (Good think I don't smoke !!!!)

I was completely winded, but the fire was finally out !

The car would not run, since the wires were badly burned, etc., and the 
power feed to the starter was welded to the chassis, which immediately 
became apparent that it was the "proximate cause" of the problem.  The 
battery was still OK though, just the caps melted a little.

I walked to the nearby auto parts repair, bought new ignition wires and 
battery cable, and some carb cleaner, and was off and running in about a 
half hour.

I stripped it down later to do a better job cleaning up the mess, but at 
least I got it home (without telling my insurance company, too !!!)

That's all it took, but I DO NOT RECOMMEND this procedure !

So, lesson is : "Check your battery cable grommets."

I had previously reported a "sign of smoke" from the hood of a new, parked, 
Lincoln Continental, and watches helplessly as the FD tried to pry the hood 
open, rather than opening the unlocked driver door and opening it with the 
release lever.

Boy, they had a lot of fun, and the car burned to the ground because they 
never did get the hood open, but, boy, did they have fun destroying the 
entire front sheet metal in the process !

They said that opening the door could have caused the air to feed the flame 
causing tan explosion.  I guess this might have been true, had the windows 
not been open, and who am I to question them ?

It was this recent image that was in  my mind when my own car caught fire, 
and it was important to protect my Corvair from their theories.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "J R Read_HML" <hmlinc at sbcglobal.net>
To: <MarPack57 at aol.com>; <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2006 8:02 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> batteries

> Anything killing a battery that fast has to be pretty warm while it is 
> happening - and apparently unfused.
>
> You might check the clutch cable or E brake cable to see if they are 
> heating up.
>
> Later, JR
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <MarPack57 at aol.com>
> To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2006 9:46 PM
> Subject: <VV> batteries
>
>
>> Working on a 63 vert. A month ago brand new 51R battery from Wal-Mart. 
>> Dead
>> in two days. Last evening got a replacement (same battery code etc). 
>> Installed
>> last night, today at 5PM dead dead dead. Only lights that are in-operable 
>> are
>> the brake lights. Should I suspect the switch? Or????
>> How does one track this down, Have already checked the glove box light,
>> lighter, high beam switch, has new cables etc.
>>  Ed in fla
>> _______________________________________________
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>
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