Sparks flew from under the hood

[Adam 83]

On the highway, and my electronic dash begins to cut in and out. The car dies. Then, sparks and smoke fly from the hood scoop. I pull over and pop the hood and rush outside. I pull the hood up, and the positive battery cable connection, and part of the positive post on the battery, are melted like a pancake on top of the battery. I couldnt figure it out. Then, I notice the hood of the car. There is a dime size hole burnt out of it.....and it just happens to line up with the melted positive battery post. Then I remember that when I bought the car, it was missing the platform and the metal pieces that hold the battery in place. The battery must have slid and touched the hood. I repositioned it, and the car started up and ran just fine, but the volt meter in the car is in the red, around 16-17. So, my question is, do I need a whole new posotive battery cable or can I just cut the connection off a good cable from a junk yard z, and then wire it onto my cable?

[1 Bravo 6]

Post pics mate.

It makes it easier to understand problems.

Besides, .... it should be interesting.

I'd suggest new battery, new cables, clamp the battery down before further use and a thorough check of the entire electrical system by an auto sparky ..... for starters.

As I said, pics, mate, pics.

Rick.

:devious::devious:

[zbane]

I second what Rick mentioned, a new set of cables and a tie down are definitely in order!

Pics would help quite a bit, and if you haven't found a Factory Service Manual yet, take a look at carfiche.com

I believe they've got one for your year ZX, and you will need it! There aren't many users here with S130s, and even fewer with the digital dash.

[DougN]

Loose batteries are definately asking for trouble! I agree with Rick and David,, a secure battery should be one of the first things (like before driving the car) that is taken care of with a new aquisition.

[Bruce Palmer]

It would also be worth it to check the group your battery is and reference that to the group specified for the car. It may be a larger battery got put in by mistake? Going with a side post only battery would certainly forestall this happening again..... Just a couple of ideas.

The tie down would most certainly be a winner....

[Cornbreadxd]

you can also get rubber boots that go on top of your terminals/cables so they don't make contact w/ anything and stay insulated.

[biddljj]

Can someone confirm what battery I should get for side pole conversion ?

I think the Battery is a Size 24 battery with the negitive pole close to the

fender.

Thanks, Jay

zdisease

[Adam 83]

Hey thanks for the info, you guys are great. I will take a picture tonight.

[7277]

or can I just cut the connection off a good cable from a junk yard z, and then wire it onto my cable?

..? you can get a BRAND NEW CABLE with protective insulation boot for like 10 bux

[sblake01]

..? you can get a BRAND NEW CABLE with protective insulation boot for like 10 bux

A 1983 Nissan 280ZX positive battery cable? I don't think so.

[sblake01]

Just looked it up. 24110-P9100 $64.40 list. The factory cable has connections on it necessary for an 83ZX that wouldn't be on a generic auto parts store cable.

[Adam 83]

What kind of connections do you mean? Would a positive cable off an 82zx in the junk yard work just as well?