Starter / Alt Cable getting hot

[sandlion]

My car wouldn't start; turns out my starter cable was broken at the lug connecting to the passenger fender (same place the jump start positive terminal is).

I'm not sure if I could have damaged the cable when I changed my plugs a few weeks ago?

Anyway, I soldered a new lug on, silicon taped it, and went for a test drive.

When I got back, about 10 minutes, maybe a mile, about a 10" or at that end of the cable was very hot.

All the other positive cables were cool to the touch.

SO - I'm thinking the cable is damaged and overheating, or is it normal for it to get hot there?

This is the cable:

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=12_1339

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...e/12427584691/

[drwillb]

I went through a worsening no start situation last summer. It took about 3 weeks but eventually I was stranded at work.

Long diagnostic story made short: an internal short in the hot lead to starter was the cause and it fried my starter with it. $1200 for a new starter and wire took care of it.

[sandlion]

Thanks for the info. I just looked at mine some more and I think most likely the lug I found is not thick enough to handle the charging current.

I'm not sure about trying another lug or just getting started on replacing the whole starter / alternator cable.

[sandlion]

Originally Posted by sandlion

Thanks for the info. I just looked at mine some more and I think most likely the lug I found is not thick enough to handle the charging current.

I'm not sure about trying another lug or just getting started on replacing the whole starter / alternator cable.

Replaced the starter + alternator cable today. Took my time and had to run and grab a throttle body gasket at the dealer. Even with all that it was all put back together in six hours. It was a beautiful day out so that made it better.

All connections are cool, and it has never cranked this quickly on startup!

So $100 for the cable, $16 for the gasket and $180 for a new AGM battery (wrong diagnoses - oops). So feel ok it's 'only' $300.