Help with starting a car that's been sitting
 

I have an 82 300d, it has been sitting fo about 6 months. I don't need the car, and it is kind of borderline between sell or scrap. I tried to start it today. I went to put in a charged battery, when I connected the negative terminal, there was a little spark when the clamp went on, then smoke started coming up from around the alternator. After a few seconds of frantic running to get a tool, I managed to pry the clamp off. No fire! I looked at the fuses, all good. Obviously I have a short somewhere.

Any ideas where to look? I am a bit of a noobie.

Much appreciated

Peter

Who wants a parts car?

Check around or at the alternator. There is a hot positive battery lead that hooks to the alternator. There COULD be a short there. You don't need the alternator hooked up to start the engine if that is what you want to do. I don't mean take the belt off, just unplug it and disconnect the battery lead. After disconnecting the alternator, TOUCH the battery lead and see if it gets hot or smokes again. It is NOT unusual to get a SMALL spark when you first hook up the battery. WE JUST DON'T WANT SMOKE!!!

Where are you?
 

Where are you?



Have a great day.

I will try to disconnect the alternator tomorrow and see how that goes. I am outside of Toronto, Canada

Thanks for the replies

Reversed polarity.
 

Make absolutely certain you have the cables connected to the proper terminals on the battery.

I installed a battery "backawards" once, and the results were strikingly similar to your recent experiences.

Jay.

I had considered that, so I looked at my other car, an 85 300d. And just hooked it up the same. Just to make sure, the wire that goes to the body (ground?) is the negative, right?
Anyways, going now to try to restart.

I managed to get it started. I unplugged the alternator, but the battery was still sparking when I hooked it up. I tried starting it with no battery, but cables from another car. Suprisingly, it started right up. I think I now have an internal short in the battery? I have another battery that I am charging which I will try tommorrow.

Thanks for all the help

Peter

Wish I am closer and buy the car from u. What kind of money are u looking for?

U must had very thick booster cable, usually mines never carry enough current to start a car, esp diesels are real pig on current.

Perhaps use a volt meter to check if the polarity had been reversed.