Going on a long drive is very exciting. And who doesn’t love that? But there could be unwanted events that take place just to replenish your fun. Such an event can be smoke coming out of the battery cable. Smoke may come out anytime, be it positive or negative.
Someone on Your Mechanic wrote like this, “why is my negative battery cable smoking?” The previous week, he had installed a new battery and got a burning smell from the engine. Then, he noticed that something was wrong with the battery cable.
Like this guy, you may often face the problem of battery cable smoking. But you may look for its explanation, like why it’s happening or how to prevent it. Therefore, I will discuss this matter and get you a better ride. Hopefully, you will continue reading till the end of this blog.
What Causes a Negative Battery Cable to Smoke?
The battery provides the initial power required for the engine to start and running. But a battery cannot function on its own. That’s why you need to connect it to other vehicle parts through cables. It can be a positive or negative battery cable.
If you witness the negative battery cable begin to smoke, it can cause concern. Maybe it’s not a sign of a more significant issue within the vehicle’s electrical system. Still, it can inaugurate multiple safety risks. You should be aware of positive or negative battery cable smoking.
Here are some reasons why your vehicle’s negative battery cable may start smoking:
Overheating
Think about the scorching sun and its excessive heat. This heat can impact on battery life. If your vehicle is overheated, the electrolytes inside the battery evaporate. Then, you can find the evaporation result as smoke in the negative battery cable.
Excessive Cold Temperature
The battery can struggle to deliver enough power in cold weather to start the engine. Also, you may try to warm up the battery and other parts to turn on the engine repetitively. These conditions can cause the negative battery cable to smoke.
Loose or Corroded Cable
Are you driving your vehicle long without changing the battery or its cables? Then, you may see smoke coming out of the negative battery cable. This cable may become loose or corroded over time. When this happens, the electrical current encounters resistance. As a result, excessive heat generation and smoke will come out of the cables.
Short Circuit
It’s a common reason for the cable of battery’s negative terminal to smoke unexpectedly. Typically, an internal short circuit happens when the electrical current flows through an unintended path and bypasses the circuit. It can cause a damaged wire or component within the electrical system. Thus, you can see smoke from the negative battery cable.
Faulty Alternator
An alternator is works like the mitochondria to charge the battery when you run the engine. Like other components, it can be faulty at any moment. Then, it may overcharge the battery and increase the heat. It will eventually lead to a smoking negative battery cable.
Overloading the Electrical System
Do you use excessive electrical accessories like high-powered sound systems in your car? Then, it can overload the electrical system. This overload can put additional strain on the battery. As a result, battery temperature goes higher and invites smoking cables.
Physical Damage
If you use an old battery in your vehicle, there might be a chance of physical damage. Also, you may see smoke from the cables. Alternatively, if the cable is pinched or cut, it can short-circuit and generate heat.
Incorrect Installation
Maybe the negative and positive cables are not installed correctly. When you try to start your vehicle, the cable may get hotter and create smoke.
Low Battery Fluid Levels
The battery fluid acts as a coolant for the battery’s internal components. Hence, the battery may overheat and create smoke to the negative cable due to low fluid level.
The Dangers of a Smoking Negative Battery Cable
Negative or positive, a battery cable can be against safety if you see any smoke from it. So, the passenger and driver are both prone to significant dangers.
Here is a couple of the risks or dangers associated with a smoking negative battery cable:
Fire
Smoking cables can quickly transform into a fire hazard. If the smoking cable ignites, it can spread fire throughout the vehicle. It causes extensive vehicle damage and poses a risk to the driver and passengers.
Damage to the Alternator or Starter
When you see a smoking negative battery cable, there may be a chance to damage the alternator or starter. Indeed, these components are vital for running the electrical system well. So, when you leave without noticing the damage, you may need to spend more money on battery repair.
Complete Electrical Failure
Yes, it can also cause a complete electrical failure. It leads to the vehicle’s failure to start or operate any electrical systems.
Risk of Electrical Shock
An electrical shock from the battery is not a good thing. But when you have negative battery cable smoking, you may get this shock and afterwards, a serious injury or even death. However, it indicates that electrical current is flowing through unintended paths.
Health Hazards
Smoke from a burning battery cable may contain harmful toxins and chemicals. When you come close to this smoke, you may risk your or the passengers’ health.
Guide to Fix a Smoking Negative Battery Cable
The problem’s underlying cause impacts how to fix my negative battery cable smoking. You can do it yourself without any previous experience. Some ways you may follow to solve the smoking problem out of battery are:
Tighten or Clean the Cable
You may clean or tighten the negative cable if it is loose or corroded. It will help to remove any resistance that may be causing the smoking. To clean the battery and cable, you can use a wire brush.
Replace the Cable
Replacing the negative or positive cable can be a good idea if you cannot repair it properly. Likewise, you can purchase a new battery cable at any auto parts store. You will need a few minutes to install the cable. Just ensure that the replacement cable matches the specifications of the vehicle.
Replace the Alternator
You should quickly replace the faulty alternator. Otherwise, it will keep overcharging the battery. You may also find it at nearby stores or a certified dealer like cable.
Reduce Electrical Load
Reduce the load to solve the smoking problem if overloading is the main reason. I suggest you unplug any non-essential electrical accessories. Also, you may reduce the volume of the sound system.
Replace the Battery
The last solution to the cable smoking problem is its replacement with a new battery. You can search for these batteries online or at the physical stores. Hence, read the vehicle manual to know which battery you should use.
How to Prevent a Smoking Negative Battery Cable
You can prevent a smoking negative battery cable for the safety and longevity of the electrical system. Try to follow the below rules to avoid the problem from happening again in the future:
Regular maintenance
Regularly cleaning the battery terminals and cables prevent a smoking negative battery cable. It can also help ensure good electrical contact and a low risk of resistance buildup.
Better Investments
You should spend some money to buy high-quality cables and components. It increases the lifespan of the vehicle’s electrical system.. In case of top-notch cables, they are less likely to rust, break or cause resistance.
Inspect the Alternator
You should check the alternator regularly. It prevents overcharging of the battery. Also, you should ensure that the battery is functioning correctly.
Park the Vehicle in a Garage or Shaded Area
Especially in summer, a vehicle battery may get overheated, leading to smoking from the cable. If it is your case, try to park the vehicle in a garage or shaded area.
Final Words
Still do you want to know, “why is my negative battery cable smoking?” I assume you don’t need as I have included all the ways to identify, explain, and solve the problem.
Some possible reasons to experience smoke from negative battery cables are: loose connections, a faulty alternator, or a dead battery. Consequently, you can enhance the health of the battery and cable by maintaining them regularly.
You should purchase high-quality cables to avoid smoking from the battery. Also, try to avoid overheating the battery by parking in a garage or shaded area.
That’s all for today! Thanks for reading this blog!
