Have a 97 dodge avenger it 3 leads off positive battery cable one goes to the emc and brain the big one tow the starter but the third one is getting melt down kinda hot and i was wondering were it goes and dose it have a history of shorting out or melting down the car still runs but its draining the battery at every stop have any have any thoughts on this problem ???

Remove the negative cable first, then the positive one.

Start by using a proper sized wrench and remove the battery connector, then go to the starter by following the cable to the other end and disconnect it. Replace by reversing the order - far end first and battery last. Reconnect the negative cable first and the positive last.

You may have a remotely mounted solenoid, which may be the problem.
Follow the positive lead from the battery. It will connect directly to the solenoid. If your solenoid is mounted to the starter ( small cylinder shaped device mounted to the starter ) then you may have gotten a bad unit and you'll need to test it. If that cable goes to a small box, then that is the solenoid and can be tested without removing. The remote solenoid will have the battery cable on one side and another large cable going to the starter, as well as one or two other small wires.. Use 2 old screwdrivers and place one on the starter side of the terminal and the other on the small terminal marked with an I.Touch the shafts together - there will be a large spark and, if the solenoid and starter are good, the starter will either turn over or the solenoid clicks .You can test it ( starter mounted solenoid ) by removing the starter assembly and using jumper cables. Connect the negative cable to the starter body and the positive cable to the terminal the battery wire goes to. You MUST secure the starter either by having somebody hold it tightly on the ground or by mounting it in a bench vice. Then connect the negative to the battery and TOUCH the positive cable to the positive post of the battery. If it clicks, then you may have either the ground strap issue or another short circuit that is robbing the power. Check both positive and negative cables from the battery by feeling the length of the cable for bumpiness and inspect the ends for corrosion.You could also have a bad ground strap ( braided, flat wire that goes from the motor to the firewall or chassis ) .
Hope this helps!!

It sounds like a bad starter, but you still have to check power at starter start wire for 12 volts when the key is turned to start position. It is the smaller wire plugged into the starter. You still also have check for a good ground cable, most have bad grounds. Also, you need to check for proper voltage at the batterry first, to determine whether or not it is starter related. If the battery is dead then more than likely it is an
alternator.

follow the positive battery lead(+) from the battery it goes onto the starter .......hope this helps .....cheers

1.remove positive lead from the battery first
2. take note of where the leads connect on the starter
3. disconnect the large lead from the starter
4. disconnect any other smaller leads from the solenoid on the starter
5. undo the bolts that hold the starter to the bellhousing of the gearbox, there should be about 3 bolts, once they are removed you should be able to remove the starter from the vehicle unless there are any pipes etc stopping you from doing this in which case they will have to be moved to allow the starter to be removed

A big wire from the battery which is the positive terminal goes to the starter motor,and on the starter motor you have a solenoid,on it you have a thin wire that goes to the key switch,when you turn the key,then the solenoid turn the starter motor which switch on the engine

Sounds like the solenoid not grounded if you try to start and all it does is click then the solenoid is not grounded and if it's built on to the starter which it might be you might have to replace the starter. Try cleaning the wires going to the starter before you buy a new they may be corroded.

I had to replace the ignition cylinder switch.

First, check battery post to cable connection: positive meter lead on battery positive post, negaitve lead on battery's positive cable clamp. Crank the engine and note the reading. A good connection should have zero voltage drop. Second, check the positive cable: positve meter lead on positive battery clamp, negative lead on starter terminal connector. A good cable will show a voltage drop of .2 volts or less while cranking. Third, check the starter connection: positive meter lead on positive battery terminal on the solenoid, negative meter lead on actual starter stud. A good connection will have a voltage drop of near zero volts. Now to check the negative side of the circuit. Total drop on the ground side should be .3 volts or less and can be checked by placing positive meter lead on starter housing and negative meter lead on battery ground post. Take your reading while cranking the engine, and be sure your connection at the starter is solid and clean. If total voltage drop on this side of the circuit is excessive, complete testing at all connections in the same fashion as the positive side of the circuit. Check the following: between battery post and clamp (zero voltage drop), cable end at battery to cable end at engine. (.2 volts or less), cable end at engine to engine itself (near zero voltage drop), and finally between starter housing and engine block (.1 volts or less).

To read the entire procedure for all automotive systems read this artile:
http://www.engine-light-help.com/voltage-drop.html