Formula Mazda battery cables hot when starting

[vory111]

I have a 1998 Formula Mazda and when I push the start button, the battery cables get very hot.
Any Ideas???

[Extreme1]

A loose connection or corrosion inside the cables causing resistance.

Are they the original cables from 1998? If they are I bet your problem stops if you replace them.

[vory111]

They look pretty old.
I will try some new ones
Thank you I will let you know if it works

[RussMcB]

I was wondering, ... not sure if this is worth the trouble, but maybe bypass your existing cables with other (newer) cables as a test.

Probably easier to just replace them (including ground).

[David Ferguson]

measure the voltage drop across the cables while cranking -- if more than 1V you certainly need to replace that cable.
If both the voltage and ground path test OK, then your current draw is likely the starter.

[vory111]

Thanks for your answers!!

I replaced the lug on the positive wire and replaced the ground wire and it worked

[vory111]

This might be bad???
The fitting on the top of the fuel tank is loose and as I turn it clockwise it won’t tighten.
Can you tighten it without taking the top of the fuel tank off?

[RussMcB]

This might be bad???
The fitting on the top of the fuel tank is loose and as I turn it clockwise it won’t tighten.
Can you tighten it without taking the top of the fuel tank off?

Doubtful.

Can we see a picture, please?

[vory111]

I took the filler plate off and tightened it, but in doing so I noticed some cracks in the urethane on the fuel tank. It ends up that the tank has to be replaced because it is leaking.
so now I have a pretty big project