Questions and Answers

Chevy Belair Hot Battery Cables Q. Hello, I have a 1957 Chevy Belair automatic transmission with a 283 engine. It also has the antique Delco battery that was proper for the car. I don't drive the car frequently, but usually start it every four weeks or so and let it run about 30 minutes. I keep the positive battery cable hooked up all the time and connect the negative cable only to start the car.

The last time I hooked up the negative cable, the negative cable got very hot and started smoking at the end next to the engine block within about three to four minutes of connecting it and without trying to start the car.

I unhooked the battery, charged it with a charger and checked it later with a hydrometer and all the cells seemed to fully charge. Two things I might mention; a couple of the cells were slightly low on water prior to recharging and when I originally connected the negative cable it was not overly tight.

Any idea what might have caused the cable to get hot under these conditions?

Thank you for your time.
Dan

A. That is usually a sign of something on in the car. Can't believe a weak battery would make the cable get hot unless you were cranking it at the time. If this happened while or after you cranked it that would be normal if the connection was loose.