When I got my 77 280Z about 2 months now, after a month of using, the starter (3 month old starter) doesn't turn over. Took it to Autozone and they said that the solenoid does not engaging. So I ended up buying a ReMan starter.

After about month with the new starter, (which is last night). When I tried starting the car, it cranked for 1 second and all I can hear is clicking sound.

So I checked the battery wires and felt that the + (positive) wire was very hot. Checked everything including connections to the battery to the starter. All good.

Went back to car and try crank it again, no reaction, voltmeter gauge 0 volts. lost all electrical power and here comes a black smoke coming from the starter. + wire melted!

Now I need a new one but before installing it " I just wanna know if only the starter is bad? or something that controls the starter needs to be replaced?

I have no idea about the Z's so I dunno if it's just a starter problem or some other parts that makes the starter damage.

Thanks for your help...

Pat

What was smoking? The starter itself or the + cable? Is the cable in good condition? Is it a good quality of cable? When the cable got hot, was it just at its one end? It's possible the connector at the end isn't making good contact with the wire. (Just a theory.)

If it's the starter I think you're in good shape. I think most of the AutoZone parts are lifetime warranty. You don't even need your receipt, as they'll just look it up on their computer.

the cable insulator melted. im gonna bring it to autozone to test the starter.

im thinking its because the wire gauge is too small for the starter? i have a 6 gauge positive wire that is hooked up..

thanks for the help

I will try and go to autozone today and get a little bit bigger wire gauge for the starter. and so as the negative cable too.

Hopefully the starter is ok.

Hi Draztik,

FAIW, I think the starter cable on our new Dodge Hemi truck is about 6 gauge (!!). It seems to start just fine. Maybe it's a gear reduction starter. For your car, I think 4 ga would probably work much better.

I've always been pleasantly surprised at the new breath of life a starter system gets with new cables. :-)