Shop Time w/T.W. Friends. Torque wrench on spark plugs, we need answers so cast your vote now

2005 Suzuki King Quad 700

 

Could the battery have grounded ?

 

Looks like it rubbed hard on the frame and shorted out the wires or water and corrosion which may of led into high resistance and a spicy situation

 

We used those on aircraft, called them safety wire bolts

 

Get out the voltmeter and start checking for shorts.

 

I'll be ready to give it a try shortly.

 

I have shop manual, may have to!

 

How about a picture of where it sits on the quad… you can almost see blue corrosion on the wires??

 

I'd say that part has been wet before but not since it was practically new. I'm thinking I better look it over real good, the wiring for anything obvious, like rodents or something. I'll report back. My wife is asking for help working on sons car.

 

They are often used when the screw head sits down in a tight fitting recess. I have found them used so the screw head sits in the recess just about flush with the surface. Gives a smooth look.

 

My educated guess is that the corrosion over time created the short….

However, corrosion doesn't just weaken a bridge or damage automobile parts. It can also lead to short circuits and dangerous electrical fires. ...

 

Does that bolt directly to the engine or alternator?

Pull back the sleeve and see if the if the wire insulation is melted all the way up to the plug. If so there was an overload situation.

 

Hang on, it's not up to the plug but I'll cut the sleeve off and post. One thing for certain on test ride it has more jewels

 

I'd say half way up the wire harness. It's also getting quite warm, to warm to keep my hand on it. I've wanted a IR thermometer for awhile now, guess a good reason to get one.

 

Hard telling. Do you have a multi-meter? Should read around 14 volts across the battery terminals with the engine at medium speed.

 

I'll check and report back in 5

 

About 14.5 volts at idle 14.59 mid speed it doesn't change much.

 

Seems a bit high, on (older) cars I usually expect 13.8-14.2, if you have a manual there may be a spec.
Check the ground wires, there may be several. Could be a high resistance connection fooling the regulator and boosting the voltage.