Hi,

I have a 1993 Honda Civic. The problem I appear to be having is that there is a significant voltage spike, enough to cause the current to jump from the positive battery terminal to the chassis ground (about 4 inches) and blow out the head lamps/tail lamps, the Zenar diode on the engine control module, the corresponding fuse, cause a definate black mark on my chassis, and kill my battery (and for a time make it smoke). What I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around is although I know an instantious current change could cause a voltage increase over an inductor and there's a possibility for back EMF or something to do with Lenz's or Faraday's law, but I'm a little confused as to why the jump would show up THERE (positive terminal and nearest ground essentially), especially as the voltage spike should be over the inductor right? Am I over thinking this? Many thanks in advance!

 

A quick look online says that in order to jump one inch it would take 75,000 Volts. In order to do 4 inches that would be about 300,000 Volts. I am most certain unless you have a flux capacitor installed incorrectly the problem is not a voltage spike.

If the chassis ground itself it where the mark is then you simply have a ground problem. A bad connection and/or over current situation will cause that area to become extremely hot. A bad ground going to the battery can wipe out a lot of things since the alternator cannot react fast enough on it's own without a battery to help smooth it out.

Check all your grounds to make sure they are clean and attached. It is possible also your battery has an internal short which would explain the smoke. Usually if it smells like rotten eggs when the engine in running it's time to replace it.