Starter wires color

Tiny
JASOND76
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 308,000 MILES
Hi, I recently put a new starter on my car and like an idiot I didn't mark my wires. Anyway, I have a big red and a big green wire both have big eyelets and a small red and small purple both with small eyelets and I need help hooking them back. Thanks for any help.
Friday, March 20th, 2020 AT 8:43 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

The small purple goes to the S terminal on the starter (smaller terminal). The large red one goes to the larger bolt.

I'm looking at a schematic and see nothing about a big green or small red. If you follow the big green one, does it lead to the alternator?

Take a look at the schematics I attached. The first shows the starter. I suspect that it's straight forward. The larger go to the larger terminal and smaller go to the smaller terminal.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Let me know if that helps.

Joe
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Friday, March 20th, 2020 AT 9:17 PM
Tiny
JASOND76
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After closer inspection the "green" wire was actually added to the end of a red wire which I think I have traced to the alternator which I don't really understand. So now I have that wire plus a small purple wire which has faded over time to almost look red and wire from battery it grounds itself to the motor block.
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Saturday, March 21st, 2020 AT 6:15 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Okay,

The larger one you thought was green which is attached to the red goes to the alternator. Those will connect at the larger terminal on the starter. The "green" wire powers the alternator. It is always hot at the alt. So, you have the heavy gauge red from the battery to the larger terminal on the starter which is spliced to the "green" wire going to the alternator.
That makes sense to me.

The purple goes to the S terminal on the starter. It is the smaller one. That wire will only have power when you have the key in the start position. That is what actuates the starter to engage.

The wire which grounds to the engine block must come from the negative side of the battery. Is that correct?

Let me know.
Joe
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Saturday, March 21st, 2020 AT 9:58 AM
Tiny
JASOND76
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Yes, it bolts on. Actually the longer of the starter bolts on the block and I think my issue is taken care of now. But I want to thank you all for the help. Have a great day/evening.
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Saturday, March 21st, 2020 AT 10:08 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
You are very welcome. Feel free to come back anytime.

Take care during these trying times.

Joe
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Saturday, March 21st, 2020 AT 10:11 AM

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