New starter came with a short wire attached?

FESSAP

MEMBER
2012 FORD ESCAPE
3.0L
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
155,000 MILES

Hello,
I have a 2012 Ford escape XLT 3.0L V6 AWD. I had to replace the old starter motor. When I received the new starter it looked the same except for this short wire (LEAD) attached to the smaller nut connection; which was not part of the old starter. This wire lead has a tag that says “ Do Not Remove this LEAD, crimp and heat shrink to existing lead”. Remember this lead was not part of my old starter, so there is no existing lead. Can I remove the wire lead and have the starter work, or do I need to keep it on in Hello,
I have a 2012 Ford escape XLT 3.0L V6 AWD. I had to replace the old starter motor. When I received the new starter it looked the same except for this short wire attached to the smaller nut connection; which was not part of the old starter. This wire says “ Do Not Remove”. Can I remove the wire lead from the new starter, or does it need to stay on in order for it to work? Thank you for your help! Paul

1 Reply

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,462 POSTS

That wire gets connected to the wire that the old ring terminal was connected to. That connector corrodes internally and causes problems. So they include a replacement item with the new starter. That way you don't install the new one, have it not work and return it and repeat that until the connector is replaced if it is bad.