Small spark on starter ground wire when starting. Seems dangerous....

[CReynoldsMIZ]

So i recently replaced my aftermarket starter on my 787 with a used oem, yellow starter. There was no place on the starter for a ground bolt like my aftermarket starter to put the ground wire, so i put the wire on one of the bolts that holds the starter in place. I am currently trying to figure out why my ski has been cutting out at high rpms, and when starting the ski i realized that there is a very small spark right where that wire is mouted when i hit the start button. Is this normal? It seems dangerous if there if the ski isnt vented properly after gassing and the ski could blow up. Am i worried about nothing???

 

[Linescreamer]

You're screwed! No, just kidding......you shouldn't have/see any sparks while cranking or running. If you are seeing a spark on the battery ground cable and you attached it to the starter; you maybe getting an arch between the positive cable (which powers the starter) and the ground cable you installed. Make sure they are not close together and the cables are properly insullated. Look in the manual and see how it should be grounded and use that for your guide.

 

[Strizzo]

is there paint on the part of the engine where you put the ground wire/bolt? if so, the connection could be poor, and also leading to the poor performance at high rpm.

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

i tried to sand as much of the paint off with a pneumatic air grinder, but maybe i didnt get enough of it off. I will recheck this tomorrow if i get some time. But i am skeptical that it will change my problem, because i rode it for an hour the other day and it ran perfectly fine and then started acting up late in the day. Hmmm

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

Strizzo. U were right on. I tightened the bolt which had come loose during riding and put a lock washer on and it seemed to fix my problem. I forgot that was the ground for all the electronics also so we'll hope she holds this time!

 

[nammer]

i also have a small spark on start up, seems pretty dangerous if there is any gasoline leaking, should i relocate my ground? or how do i stop it from sparking? can i cover it in electrical tape, just so i can use it on saturday?

 

[Coastiejoe]

Anytime you see a spark at a ground or hot wire it will be a connection problem.

 

[Coastiejoe]

i also have a small spark on start up, seems pretty dangerous if there is any gasoline leaking, should i relocate my ground? or how do i stop it from sparking? can i cover it in electrical tape, just so i can use it on saturday?

Do not cover it with tape. Hiding bit will jot solve the issue you have. You need to remove it, sand all surfaces very well, out it back together and put dielectric grease in the connection area.

 

[griz400]

go to advaced auto parts and just simply buy another ground cable, like for a riding lawnmower, and either replace it, or add another ground wire, ( we add additinal grounds to cars all the time )

 

[nammer]

Do not cover it with tape. Hiding bit will jot solve the issue you have. You need to remove it, sand all surfaces very well, out it back together and put dielectric grease in the connection area.

go to advaced auto parts and just simply buy another ground cable, like for a riding lawnmower, and either replace it, or add another ground wire, ( we add additinal grounds to cars all the time )

thanks guys, before i ride it, i'll remove it, sand it down, put it back, if it doesn't go away, i'll try the new ground wire