Howdy folks, I'm brand new around here and an amateur mechanic with a small amount of trial-and-error aptitude but not much "general knowledge" when it comes to fixing vehicles.

The long and the short of it: about 3 months ago my 02 MC CVT engine decided that it wasn't gonna work anymore. By that I mean it blew, as far as I know. I don't know much about testers but I had two different friends do diagnostics and there was talk of cylinder (insert number here) no pressure blah blah blah. Okay, that's not important because on the advice of others I ended up doing a full engine swap. I am no mechanic, but I'm pretty good at understanding intuitive ideas like mechanics and the wiring was MOSTLY simple because the connectors were mostly unique and the length put them where they needed to go. Lots of pictures and slow, methodical work helped.

Fast forward to today: I have a mystery wire coming from the alternator wrapping around the side of the engine. Now, as far as I know, the ONLY thing it could reasonably go to is the starter, correct? The starter is already in and there is already a wire going from the post/bolt/whatever to the battery (or where the battery will be when I put it back in). So, does this wire going from the alternator go to the same spot as the battery wire? I mean, it seems like it would and it makes sense logically, but that's a pretty big risk to incorrectly place, I would think. Every picture/diagram/anything else I've seen has had a split wire going from that post with one wire going one direction (alternator?) and another going the other (battery?). I have two separate wires...


I know this sounds like a horrible question and I should probably have found the answer somewhere, but I've scoured every forum, picture, alternator/starter/engine replacement video, book, picture, and diagram I can find and I can't find the direct answer which is enough to make me nervous. Maybe it's a "no-brainer"? Haha.

SO---- in summary: does the wire coming from the alternator, wrapping around the engine and obbviously connecting to the alternator connect on the same post/bolt/spot as the already connected separate battery wire? Any help would be wonderful.

I would love to provide pictures but this is in a very awkward spot to actually get a decent angle to snap one. I can get one hand in through the bottom and an extended socket in through where I have the tire removed if necessary to get that wire connected. All that and I'd much prefer not to remove my exhaust manifold now that I have it properly torqued down and shielded and happy in its spot. This is pretty much the last step before I do a final inspection and connect radiator/bumper/etc and see if this thing's gonna ever work again.

Thank you in advance for reading and any pointers, advice, tips, and mocking chastisement you may provide.

-The New Amateur Mechanic Here To Pick Your Brain.

 

Welcome to NAM.

Going to move you to the Stock Problems/Issues area, should get more views. The wiring schematics for you car can be pulled up via the link provided in Item #0015 of the below thread.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...questions.html

 

Having the same problem. does the wire coming from the alternator, wrapping around the engine and obbviously connecting to the alternator connect on the same post/bolt/spot as the already connected separate battery wire?

Need help to remember where the coiled wire attaches to: tag reads batt.ltg+ ORER sacH.NR 7 521 450 KW 40.03