My batteries died in my 96 12V I went to replace them and when I hooked up the positive terminals a wire with a connector starting getting smoking hot. I checked and the wire was going to a chassis relay down on the drivers side wheel well right next to the frame. If I would have left the batteries connected it would have gotten so hot it would have burned to the ground. Could it be a relay or something stock on that goes to the relay? What do you think I need your help. It's the relay farthest to the back when looking down on them. The drivers side inside wheel well, the one farthest back to the right. Again the wire goes from the connector on the positive terminal to the relay.


Thanks a lot, Tom.

 

sounds like the grid heater relay just leave the wire off on the positive cable until you can get it checked out. may need a new relay if it is stuck on all the time. Grid heater pulls about 100 amps when on so it will cause the wire to burn up if it stays on all the time. There is a fusible link wire that is supposed to burn out first, instead of the complete wire.

 

So you think I need to replace that relay.

Should be that one if i am correct:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Airtex-1R183...e37527&vxp=mtr

 

Yep, that looks right. If I remember correctly, the OEM part number is 56026842.

 

Def. your grid heater relay, while not noted for sticking on, they can.

Could also be why your batteries died all of the sudden.....

 

Lots of relays will work.
Non-grounded Ford starter relays are about $12 each from most auto parts.
http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/94...placement.html