1991 Buick Century Battery Shorted out Engine Ground

First off, I always said I would not make an account to ask for help because there is so much information out there I have never needed to. But never say never huh!

Ok, my aunt gave me a 1991 Buick Century, 6cyl. I never really looked it over because I don't really know much about cars, besides she drove it from Indiana to Florida just to bring it to me and it made it here without issue.

Yesterday I was making a u-turn and all of the sudden the car shuts down and there is white smoke coming from under the hood.

I parked the car and raised the hood and I noticed there was a fire. I blew out the little fire and had the car towed home. After dinner I went to investigate and I noticed that a wire burnt all the way through. This wire is under the power steering pump and alternator on the passenger side. I can reach the wire but I cannot see what it attached to.

I traced the wire within the harness, removed the plastic shielding that protects all the wires and followed the burnt wire to the front of the car, it was attached with a screw to the right of the radiator. I am assuming this is a ground to the block but that's what I do not know.

It is important to note that the car seemed to be over heating once the car shut off, I say this because I heard a whistle coming from the front of the car.

Here is what did not work. After the car got home, there was no key in the ignition but there were several lights on on my dashboard. I tried to start the car but nothing happened. I disconnected the positive battery cable and double checked to see if any other wires were burnt. They are not. All is well EXCEPT this black wire. I twisty tied (in a matter of speaking) the wire back to each other so that they are touching pretty well and then held the positive battery cable to the battery and then tried starting the car and it started as if there was never an issue.

BTW. The positive battery terminal had bounced into the body of the car and basically melted itself. I pulled them apart and have since fixed that from happening.

This black ground wire, goes from the front body, next to the radiator, towards the top but within the engine compartment on the passenger side, it runs down into the harness, along the frame rail and this goes right under the alternator and power steering pump.

How do I fix this wire. What gauge is this wire? I am assuming I can go buy some heavy gauge wire, place an end on one end, attach it to the frame/body and then run it as it normally would. But I cannot tell what is under the alternator and was hoping someone could help explain.


Thank in advance!