Hey dudes and dudettes, Got a bit of an issue with some wiring on my Silhouette. I noticed the other day that the van wouldn't start and was acting like the battery was dying, Which shouldn't be the case as the battery has been acting fine. I opened the hood to jump the battery and after I moved the fuse box away to access the battery, I saw a wire hanging underneath it and laying on top of the battery, So I picked it up at which point the wires inside instantly started glowing blaze orange and started smoking very badly. At this point I very quickly unhooked the battery as I did NOT want to set my car on fire. I pulled back the plastic loom and exposed the wires and took a pic, I have no idea what they go to, It looks like it may have had a connector on the end and it broke off, But I can't tell. ANY help is appreciated, I am mechanically inclined and know my way around wrench, But electrical is something I know hardly anything about. Thanks in advance.

They all act fine until they don't. How old?
That connector has a clip to hold it in place. I would look around and see if you can see where it went.
I have diagrams if you need.

Can't be 100% sure as the vehicle is at my other house an hour and a half away, But I believe its within the past 4 years. It has never had a problem before, But I understand what you mean. A diagram couldn't hurt, It may be like reading another language to me though, lol. I figured it was a connector of some sort, Not sure what it does or where it goes though, Thought it might be the reason for it not wanting to start. Glad I found it before I started driving, Seeing flames coming from the hood would have ruined my day, lol.

Unless it had a long life battery when replaced that battery is likely bad. I would terminate the wire ends and throw a battery in it and see what you get.