# Oops, didn't disconnect the battery **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [January 21, 2020, 1:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oops-didnt-disconnect-the-battery/156950 "2020-01-21T01:32:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bronsdarren\_162355](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bronsdarren\_162355](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bronsdarren_162355)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 1:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oops-didnt-disconnect-the-battery/156950/1 "2020-01-21T01:32:44Z")
I was changing the clutch on my truck (2006 Silverado) and per usual the first step is to disconnect the battery. Only I ignored it this time while I removed driveshafts, cross members, etc so I could listen to the AFC championships on the radio. 🙄 Hours later I went to remove the starter, forgetting the battery was connected, and ground it out on the frame as I set it aside. Smoke immediately started pouring from the battery area and in a panic I disconnected the negative terminal. The aftermath showed a ground going from the negative terminal to the frame had melted and both terminal posts were hot enough they deformed. Any electricians out there with guesses as to what I fried? My replacement list so far is: Battery Terminal connections Ground wire Check fuses Inspect/ replace starter Anything else? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 1:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oops-didnt-disconnect-the-battery/156950/2 "2020-01-21T01:39:16Z")
The ground wire became a heating element, while at the same time the battery supplied the amperage to create that heating element. Replace the ground wire/battery, and cross your fingers. Tester