i have a 98 ford explorer 4.o eng had the starter go out put one in and now it wont start it well try to turn over but it wont its like the battery is dead i put a new one in and it still does it then after a few turns of the key the red wire on the battery get hot and the black one gets warm please help cuz i need my truck ooo one more thing when u turn the key to on the battery meter shows its low even when i hook up a new battery or jump it with another car.

 

Was the previous starter replaced for a similar or same problem?

Who's new or reman starter went back in? Brand? If the cables are getting hot there's high resistance in the starter, circuit short, or possible a bind on the starter install. And if it wasn't doing it before the starter replacement, the new starter itself might be dragging and/or causing the high resistance. You might be able to bench test the starter (sometimes hard to duplicate engine drag) or get another one from the supplier and see if the results are the same..

If the new starter 'created' the cable heat, no/slow cranking, I'd look at the last part replaced...

 

well the starter was rebuilt and i tested it first and was fine but what i dont get is why does it show that battery is low even if its a new battery i try cranking it and it wont so i dont know what it could be

 

1. If heat is developing AT THE BATTERY TERMINAL(S), when trying to crank the engine, a poor connection may exist between the terminal and battery post(s). Remove the terminals (with cables attached), look for darkened color, brown, black, on inside of terminals and on battery posts. Clean these surfaces until shiny metal-looking. Use rough sandpaper, knife blade, or small file. Do not remove too much METAL, only corrosion. Then try starter.

2. If battery connections are OK, a cable may be at fault. BEST way to check: Measure battery voltage at it's terminals. If less than 12.5 volts, battery is likely at fault. If battery voltage is OK use voltmeter to check voltage AT THE STARTER terminal, where the battery cable connects to it, connect voltmeter to that terminal and a good, shiny grounded surface. While connected, have someone try cranking engine, while you watch the voltmeter. If it reads low, say, 8 volts or less, the problem lies in the cable between the battery and starter, OR---- the starter is trying to draw way too much current, because the starter is faulty. We assume here, the starter is GOOD. Have someone like AutoZone test the starter. If good, try replacing the battery cable to the starter.

If vehicle has a starter solenoid on the inner fender apron, it must also be checked, BUT, a bad solenoid will NOT cause terminals or cable to get HOT.

My thoughts are that you are pretty certain the starter is good. But, is it installed incorrectly, allowing it to be locked against rotation?

Good luck! Come back with results of your work, please! imp

 

imp thanks for your answer and yes i did use a volt meter and i put it on the terminals and it reads 12.54 but as soon as i crank it it goes down to 8 volts but what i dont get is will a bad starter make the battery meter mark low even with a new battery?

 

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