What would cause a short to ground while driving - how to locate the problem?

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So I was pulled up at the traffic lights yesterday in my 1980 Nissan Urvan (E23) diesel after just coming off a 30 minute commute on the freeway when all of a sudden the engine cut out and a few seconds later the battery exploded/ruptured spraying acid all over the battery compartment. After pushing it of the road I tried hooking up the deep cycle battery that is usually wired through an isolator and noted with nothing connected the cables were carrying enough current to heat them up significantly within about five seconds so something would appear to be shorted. With a multimeter reading zero ohms between the positive and negative battery terminals of the vehicle I went through each fuse removing it noting the battery circuit was still zero ohms then replacing it before moving on to the next.



Can anybody offer some insite as to potential causes and or locations to check for the fault or advice in general on trouble shooting so I can reconnect a new battery and get the van back on the road?






electrical nissan diesel battery-drain short







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    So I was pulled up at the traffic lights yesterday in my 1980 Nissan Urvan (E23) diesel after just coming off a 30 minute commute on the freeway when all of a sudden the engine cut out and a few seconds later the battery exploded/ruptured spraying acid all over the battery compartment. After pushing it of the road I tried hooking up the deep cycle battery that is usually wired through an isolator and noted with nothing connected the cables were carrying enough current to heat them up significantly within about five seconds so something would appear to be shorted. With a multimeter reading zero ohms between the positive and negative battery terminals of the vehicle I went through each fuse removing it noting the battery circuit was still zero ohms then replacing it before moving on to the next.



    Can anybody offer some insite as to potential causes and or locations to check for the fault or advice in general on trouble shooting so I can reconnect a new battery and get the van back on the road?






    electrical nissan diesel battery-drain short







    share|improve this question























      up vote
      1
      down vote

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      up vote
      1
      down vote

      favorite











      So I was pulled up at the traffic lights yesterday in my 1980 Nissan Urvan (E23) diesel after just coming off a 30 minute commute on the freeway when all of a sudden the engine cut out and a few seconds later the battery exploded/ruptured spraying acid all over the battery compartment. After pushing it of the road I tried hooking up the deep cycle battery that is usually wired through an isolator and noted with nothing connected the cables were carrying enough current to heat them up significantly within about five seconds so something would appear to be shorted. With a multimeter reading zero ohms between the positive and negative battery terminals of the vehicle I went through each fuse removing it noting the battery circuit was still zero ohms then replacing it before moving on to the next.



      Can anybody offer some insite as to potential causes and or locations to check for the fault or advice in general on trouble shooting so I can reconnect a new battery and get the van back on the road?






      electrical nissan diesel battery-drain short







      share|improve this question













      So I was pulled up at the traffic lights yesterday in my 1980 Nissan Urvan (E23) diesel after just coming off a 30 minute commute on the freeway when all of a sudden the engine cut out and a few seconds later the battery exploded/ruptured spraying acid all over the battery compartment. After pushing it of the road I tried hooking up the deep cycle battery that is usually wired through an isolator and noted with nothing connected the cables were carrying enough current to heat them up significantly within about five seconds so something would appear to be shorted. With a multimeter reading zero ohms between the positive and negative battery terminals of the vehicle I went through each fuse removing it noting the battery circuit was still zero ohms then replacing it before moving on to the next.



      Can anybody offer some insite as to potential causes and or locations to check for the fault or advice in general on trouble shooting so I can reconnect a new battery and get the van back on the road?






      electrical nissan diesel battery-drain short




      electrical nissan diesel battery-drain short






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      asked 2 hours ago









      norlesh

      1404




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          Sounds like a dead short, one large enough like that should be easily visible, either through burn marks on a metal edge or bracket or a hole in the insulation.



          Check and follow all the main or thick wires.






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            The most likely cause is that the cable that runs down to the starter motor has been rubbing against the body or the engine and has worn through the insulation.






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              2 Answers
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              up vote
              2
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              Sounds like a dead short, one large enough like that should be easily visible, either through burn marks on a metal edge or bracket or a hole in the insulation.



              Check and follow all the main or thick wires.






              share|improve this answer
























                up vote
                2
                down vote













                Sounds like a dead short, one large enough like that should be easily visible, either through burn marks on a metal edge or bracket or a hole in the insulation.



                Check and follow all the main or thick wires.






                share|improve this answer






















                  up vote
                  2
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  2
                  down vote









                  Sounds like a dead short, one large enough like that should be easily visible, either through burn marks on a metal edge or bracket or a hole in the insulation.



                  Check and follow all the main or thick wires.






                  share|improve this answer












                  Sounds like a dead short, one large enough like that should be easily visible, either through burn marks on a metal edge or bracket or a hole in the insulation.



                  Check and follow all the main or thick wires.







                  share|improve this answer












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                  answered 2 hours ago









                  Solar Mike

                  15.7k21027




                  15.7k21027




















                      up vote
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                      The most likely cause is that the cable that runs down to the starter motor has been rubbing against the body or the engine and has worn through the insulation.






                      share|improve this answer
























                        up vote
                        1
                        down vote













                        The most likely cause is that the cable that runs down to the starter motor has been rubbing against the body or the engine and has worn through the insulation.






                        share|improve this answer






















                          up vote
                          1
                          down vote










                          up vote
                          1
                          down vote









                          The most likely cause is that the cable that runs down to the starter motor has been rubbing against the body or the engine and has worn through the insulation.






                          share|improve this answer












                          The most likely cause is that the cable that runs down to the starter motor has been rubbing against the body or the engine and has worn through the insulation.







                          share|improve this answer












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                          answered 1 hour ago









                          HandyHowie

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