Starter, alternator, and wires

1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
240,000 MILES • 2.2L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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MATTHEW MARCUM
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I had to change the starter so I did then the battery light came on. so I disconnected the positive wire and the car shut off. So I went and got a used alternator and put it on the car and it still had the battery light on. So I took the alternator back off and had it tested and it came back good. Well when I put it back on I saw a wire broke by the starter. It is one of the red one's and I do not know where it goes. And it will not charge the alternator. The ground wire that hooks up to the tray the battery site's on rusted and broke off. So how do I ground it back to the frame? The relay we got it came off too. No clue where it goes either. Some one please help!
Oct 17, 2018 at 8:13 AM
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STRAILER
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Hello,

I would fix both the ground and power wires the one at the starter could be coming from the alternator which is not connected will make the alternator not charge. Here is the alternator wiring diagram so you can see how the alternator system works. Make sure you have power at B+.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken

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Oct 18, 2018 at 6:22 PM
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MATTHEW MARCUM
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Can you send me a picture of the fusible link?
Oct 18, 2018 at 9:10 PM
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STRAILER
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The link is down by the starter inline with the wire. Take a picture of the wire and upload it if you have any questions. They do not give us a picture of the link only the location.
Oct 19, 2018 at 11:21 AM
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MATTHEW MARCUM
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I got all that figured out now the starter is smoking.
Oct 19, 2018 at 3:31 PM
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STRAILER
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It sounds like it is shorted out. Here is a guide to help you step by step to replace the starter.

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

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken

Oct 20, 2018 at 10:18 AM