MD-82
Maintenance Powerplant; Maintenance Airframe
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Logbook Entry; Procedure; Chart Or Publication; Aircraft; MEL
We were dispatched to an MD-82 aircraft for a manual engine start; in accordance with MEL 80-01. When we opened the engine cowling we found loose wiring exposed inside of the engine compartment and this was the reason the start valve was placarded. I also questioned [why] the placard was for the start valve; not the wiring to the valve; does this placard cover a wiring problem too? Maintenance Control was called and they said don't worry about it; it will be OK.The exposed wiring should have been capped and stowed; yet the wiring was left exposed inside the engine compartment and could have shorted out; or sparked and cause a fire. The MEL was for the start valve; but the person who placarded the valve knew of a wiring problem and documented this in the logbook; they should have known better.
A Line Mechanic reports an MEL applied to an engine start valve on an MD-82 aircraft was improper. He also notes the known; loose; exposed electrical wiring for the start valve that were not capped or stowed inside the engine compartment prior to issuing the MEL; could have shorted or sparked and caused a fire.