1998 SPX wire smoking

[jcleary93]

Hi all so I just picked up a non running 98 SPX. It's been sitting for 8 years I don't really know any history of it. Today I put a new battery into it and put the key on and got 2 beeps. I hit the start button nothing happens at all no clicks nothing. I walked about and a minute or 2 later I smelt burning rubber, a white wire going from front e box to rear ebox burnt. Both fuses in white e box are good. Anyone know what this wire is?? And why this happend

 

[OldSchool]

Well I would definitely check the relay and or starter to make sure that there is not a closed circuit creating that contact. This happens just after connecting battery? The black electrical box looks like it leaked and was full of water at some point, it could be compromised there. I am going to check something on my 96 XP to verify a hunch. Seems to me though that the only other time I ran into this was when a relay was stuck. Well, except for the time that the electrical box was full of water and acting as a conductor... Oh the pretty colors of smoke there.

 

[OldSchool]

Jeez... you might be looking at an ECU also. Sorry man, but there are a bunch out there now.

 

[jcleary93]

Yep I hooked a new battery up, put the key on got 2 beeps hit the starter button and nothing happened, then it stared smoking lol

 

[jcleary93]

Now that I'm thinking I didn't have the plugs grounded. But the engine didn't even turn over so that wouldn't matter right?

 

[Matt Braley]

That is the signal wire for the coil. It starts at the pick up trigger coil inside the flywheel cover.

 

[jcleary93]

That is the signal wire for the coil. It starts at the pick up trigger coil inside the flywheel cover.

What would cause it to heat up like that just from the battery being connected?

 

[Matt Braley]

Perhaps water got in the front cover and rusted things up. The MPEM may be bad and if it wasn't it may be now. The service manual has trouble shooting instructions for testing the pick up without tearing into the motor.

 

[jcleary93]

Okay thanks I'll try and find those instructions and get around to testing it soon!

 

[mikidymac]

Nope. That looks like the positive wire to the coil.
Wow! Tapatalk is being weird. Matt already answered. Never mind.