old astras dodgy wiring question

[bigtim]

Mums astra has a main red power cable coming from the alternator to the solenoid on the starter then on to the battery positive but this short piece of wire from alt to starter is getting really hot and gradually melting its coating. Ive tested voltage at the bat and it seems normal(13.5) cleaned up the bat terminals and both ends of the red wire but its still getting warm.
Anyone have any more ideas.

[Dr Silvia]

how thick is the wire and how many cranking amps does the starter take; chances are its just a bad connection or deteriorated wire, kinda odd that this goes from the alternator and not the battery too.

how old is this vehicle?

[30psi]

Its not odd that it comes from the alternator if you think in reverse. In fact this is how I will wire up my car when I throw the battery in the boot.

The wire goes from the battery to the starter then from there on to the alternator. It just saves having 2 individual wires.

Whats worth looking at is what half the wire is melting. If it isn't the battery to starter half then that would suggest the starter isn't over stressing the wire.

If its the other half then it might simply be the condition of the wire as suggested or something off with the alternator output.

Would be an idea to check the battery voltage when its running at the battery, starter terminal and the alternator terminal to see if its consistent.

[Jamie Hicks]

I had a Mk1 1300 Astra, the +ve cable to the alternator used to work itself loose. As above, could a poor connection at the alternator be the fault?

[bigtim]

k reg astra.i thought alt wire would run to bat normally.
cheers for the suggestions,think ive sussed it by cleaning up the main earth from bat to starter on starter end and that seems to have sorted it for now,ill keep checking.