Sparking when pulling throttle cable

[pul1tzer]

Was working on my 2007 Yamaha Rhino 660 the other day and ran into something I didn't expect. I had the engine running while I was checking the throttle cable, and when I pulled the inner cable out of the outer casing near the carb end, it accidentally brushed against the parking brake hardware. To my surprise, I saw some pretty persistent sparking where the metal touched.
It caught me off guard because I wasn't expecting to see that kind of arcing in that spot. I double checked to make sure I wasn't imagining things, but sure enough, every time it made contact, there was spark. I've never run into this before on the Rhino.
Has anyone else seen this happen, or know why the throttle cable would be carrying current? Thanks in advance

 

[gonefreecs]

What you're seeing is usually a grounding issue, if the engine or frame ground strap is loose, corroded or missing, the throttle cable can end up acting as a ground path and arc when it touches other metal. I'd check all your ground connections between the battery, frame and engine to make sure theyre clean and tight, because that sparking shouldnt be happening under normal conditions

 

[Sandman]

That sparking is unusual, throttle cables aren't supposed to carry current. Could there be a grounding issue or a nearby live wire inducing voltage onto the cable, creating that unexpected arcing?

 

[logan_h_38]

Was working on my 2007 Yamaha Rhino 660 the other day and ran into something I didn't expect. I had the engine running while I was checking the throttle cable, and when I pulled the inner cable out of the outer casing near the carb end, it accidentally brushed against the parking brake hardware. To my surprise, I saw some pretty persistent sparking where the metal touched.
It caught me off guard because I wasn't expecting to see that kind of arcing in that spot. I double checked to make sure I wasn't imagining things, but sure enough, every time it made contact, there was spark. I've never run into this before on the Rhino.
Has anyone else seen this happen, or know why the throttle cable would be carrying current? Thanks in advance

I agree with @gonefreecs that it's likely a grounding issue!!
I've heard of similar stuff on other ATVs when a main ground strap gets corroded.
Check all your ground points, especially the one coming off the battery to the frame and the one from the engine to the frame.
Also check the negative battery terminal and make sure it's tight and clean.