smoking from starter?

[km550123]

i got smoke coming from wires on top of starter.. i have had this ski running before..

which wires are supossed to be on top of starter?

 

[Magnum Mike]

the positive connector is on top/middle of the starter and the negative is on the rear (away from splined shaft) but the entire starter enclosure is negative/ground.

it only smokes when you press the start button, right? maybe the positive is shorting to the enclosure of the starter.

 

[SJBrit]

It could also be a bad connection getting hot and burning off some gunk. I would pull those wires off and clean up the terminals. Bite the bullet and pull the starter out since it will be a nightmare trying to do that with it still mounted. If you have a stock exhaust it should come right out. If you have a B-pipe you'll have to wiggle and twist a bit to clear the water fitting on the bottom of the headpipe.

 

[Layne]

Make sure your ground isn't shorting and has good contact everywhere.

 

[Kny21]

smoke is a sign of a bad connection. pull the wires and cleanup the ends and reapply with silicone grease, etc. If you don't you're going to melt the chit out of them.

Wire placement should be:

Pos (+) to the spike on the side of the starter.
Neg (-) to the bolt holding the starter in place.

 

[km550123]

thanks for all the input, i will look at it in the morning

 

[infamy]

does you engine turn over? try turning it over by hand.. if the engine is seized it will make your starter smoke.

 

[km550123]

yes it turns over fine. i believe it is the postive wire going to the starter, it felt loose. i am attempting to tighten it with out pulling b- pipe

 

[WRX Dave]

I've had the terminal start to come loose on a cable. That will definitely cause an arc.