Ok well my car had been taking alittle longer to start that usual and i figured i needed a new battery. At my girlfriends house it died i turn the key and it clicks once and thats it. I thought it was the starter so i replaced that with one i know that works. Same problem clicks one time. So i get pissed and can't figure what else it could be and try to jump it from the battery (which is in the trunk) and nothing. So I hooked up the jumper cables to the starter its self and it finally started but very slow cranks. I figure hey its gotta be the battery this cars battery started it. I went out today got a battery and the check engine light stayed on alittle longer but that was about the most of it. Still only one click. I took off all the grounds sanded/cleaned them all and the same with the positive cables. What else could it be?????

 

How bout the ignition ?

 

well the inline fuse for the battery was blown (i know i'm retarded for not checking that first ) i replaced it with a 100 amp from an 80 amp and that one blew too. I guess i need a higher rated fuse. I checked the wire the whole way down and there are no cuts or exposed wire anywhere.

 

Great idea! I mean fuses are there just for decoration anyways!

You have a short somewhere. You need to find it before you start your **** on fire with that stupid idea.

 

actually i was looking at different posts and people said that the starter would blow an 80 amp or 100 amp fuse and they all used about 150 or 200 even more in some cases. I have checked everywhere for a damn short and can't see **** is there any way to narrow it down to a specific area? I had an extra fuse laying around i did not go out to buy it. I checked everything cleaned all connections and thought it would be alright. Anyone else

 

I'd say, "What's the weather like?? Cold??"

Simple tip....

Starter with 80A fuse doesn't blow in the Fall but it does in the Winter.. Hmm...

Let's see. The colder the weather, the more Amperage the Starter draws from the Battery..

80 degrees F... Starter draw is 100% of needed Amperage..
32 degrees F... Starter draw is 150% of needed Amperage..
0 degrees F... Starter draw is 200% of needed Amperage..


That's just what I think...

But hey, I'd replace the fuse with a higher rated one.. Good Luck and BE CAREFUL..

 

The 80 amp fuse you replaced goes between the battery + terminal and the alternator white/red wire (the fat one) and thats it. So you either have a bad alternator (shorted inside/charging too high) or that white/red wire is shorted to ground somewhere....and dont use a higher rated fuse in this circuit unless you are building a signal fire for help....3gdude ASE Master Tech

 

well i have the cable running through the firewall to the starter what happens if it rubs through to the metal when there is no fuse on that wire? Thanks

 

I have had three cars with the batteries moved to the rear. A '92 Protege, an '83 GTI and a '92 Jetta. All these vehicles were winter driven. I lived in Buffalo, NY all my life,so temps get damn cold. I used an 80 amp circuit breaker instead of a fuse. I have never had a problem with any setup.

Couple of questions;
1) Is the wire running through the fire wall grommeted? If not put one on or that wire could wear through causing some problems.
2) Where inline is your fuse placed? Close to the battery or closer to the starter.
3) When you did your wiring, did you replace the starter wire with better guage/quality wire?
4)Are the connections on the starer clean etc.? If not this could cause an excessive draw.
5) How long is your ground wire? The shorter the better, typically 6-10 inches.

These are just some questions to get your noodle working. I will try to help you from my experience. Also, the fact that the original fuse was melting is an indication that the wires are heating up too much. Make sure all your grounds are good. Clean all contact areas, etc.

BTW, sucks that there is so much snow. I'm buried in about 22 inches now in Baltimore, MD.
_______

 

the wire is grommeted
the fuse is about a foot away from the battery
the starter wire is a higher gauge now
all the connections are clean i took of every wire and cleaned them all
The ground wire is about a foot and a half if i make it any short i dont think i can reach the frame. you are talking about the ground for the battery right?

 

Well i went out and bought a 300 amp fuse (wanted a 200 but they were out). Do you think i can use this i am gonna pull the wire out make sure there are no shorts. the only thing this fuse is for is incase the wire rubs through and touches metal so it would blow pretty much any fuse right? What do you think should i try the 300 or not?

 

Ok now i have no idea what to do. I decided to just put the battery back up front until i can get a couple of cuircut breakers but it does the exact same damn thing. I got all new cables i even added an extra ground just cause and i charged the battery ( i actually tried 2 batteries that i know are good) and i still have the new starter in and all it does is click once. Does anyone have any ideas i am desperate i have absolutly no idea what else i can do. I really have no idea it has to involve the starter or battery i think. Anyone got any clue?