2002 GTX 4 tec battery arcing

[4tecrider]

Hello All,

I just picked up my 2002 GTX 4 tec non-supercharged this weekend. 69 hrs, not a scratch on her.

Was riding great all day, when all of sudden ski would not start. No noise, no beeps, nothing. Waited a few seconds tried again, ski tried to start, but really weak, had to give it gas to get it started. Couldn't let ski go below idle or would die out.
Back at dock, removed seat, tried to start again, noticed arcing on the positive battery terminal. 5 Amp start/stop fuse was blown as well.
Replaced fuse, tightened terminal(minimal) and ski started, and drove fine no problems. Later on in the day same problem again. Get back to dock to check fuse and tighten terminal. Fuse fine, terminal tight, but slight arc. Notice battery terminal now looks like it is melted.
Ski starts and runs fine again. Rest of the weekend, same problem. Runs great, then problem.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Battery seems to hold charge great. Only issue is terminal, but lead still screws in tight.
Is there a short?

 

[GTX185]

What two points exactly are arching? If it's not clear to you I would take the battery out of the ski, inspect and determine the cause of the arching.. I would not ride the ski any further with an arching battery..

 

[Coastiejoe]

Bottom line,,,,

You had a poor connection and now the terminal is both dirty from the arcing and partially destroyed.

If there is any saving to it, you will need to remove the cable, sand the cable end and the battery terminal and put it back together.

 

[4tecrider]

Thank you for the quick responses.
The arching is just a spark going from maybe the terminal to screw holding the lead. Doesn't seem to be any gap, but it's happening.
So now I am wondering, do I buy a new battery because of the damaged terminal, should I spend the money to have a tech look at it to make sure there isn't a short in the positive line?

 

[Coastiejoe]

Arcing ONLY happens if there is a gap. So trust me, there is a gap.

Do as I suggested as you have nothing to lose.

Remove, MAJOR clean, reassemble.

See what it does.

 

[KK40384]

Arcing ONLY happens if there is a gap. So trust me, there is a gap.

Do as I suggested as you have nothing to lose.

Remove, MAJOR clean, reassemble.

See what it does.

I agree with this. If it fails then you may have to replace the battery. I'm willing to bet that after some good cleaning the problem will go away.

 

[4tecrider]

Thank you again for the help. Will try as soon as possible, and update on results.