ground wire melting oh crap

[thp777]

well ive been having trouble with the starter on my 86 d150 318
figured out its the contacts
so i hit it a few time with a mallet then tried cranking and the starter sounded like it was straining to even turn and then the smaller wire on the ground terminal started melting so i shut it off
any ideas
really need help
thanks in advance

[thp777]

nevermind found out its a shorted solenoid

[charlie1935]

Good diagnosing and follow up.:gr_patrio

[fins2fuselage]

Wherein we see the downside of "smacking the starter" (or its solenoid) to try to get the engine to spin . . .

Jeff