The polarities weren't reversed this time, I actually did go and check
though, you can tell how thourough I am.

 I did figure it out.  The insulation on the main battery wire is
deteriorated and was touching the bare metal of another wire...  quick
touch-ups with electrical tape and rearangements did the trick.

I'll tell you though... it was very bright and alarming at the time.

The hi-torque starter works like a charm on the subaru engine.

thanks list.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Christopher Gronski" <gronski@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2006 4:39 PM
Subject: Re: Battery Fireworks after starter install!! Help!!!!

Silly question but could you have just reverse the polarity (ie: pos
to neg and vice versa)?

Chris

On 3/27/06, Daniel Gordon <dangordon0128@hotmail.com> wrote:
> So, I replaced the crap ass starter with a Hi-Torque IMI 104.
Installation
> exactly the same as removal, all the same wires. I reconnect the battery
and
> FIREWORKS from each post!  looks like it melted one post like a short
> would...
>
> There are several misc. wires that were jostled during installation but
none
> disconnected or reconnected.  There are different wires in mine cause its
an
> Adventurewagen.  Could one of these be inadvertantly touching something it
> shouldn't?
>
> The real question: Is this a short somewhere in the wiring?  Is that the
> only thing that could cause this?  Did I fry anything else important!?
>
> I hate electric.
>