Battery light on after starter replacement

Tiny
STACEY SIMPSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 PONTIAC G6
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 235,000 MILES
Had starter replaced. Battery light was on afterwards and car shut off while driving. Battery was drained. Had it recharged and it tested good. Alternator tested good. New starter tested good. Double checked wiring from starter and realized ground wire was connected to wrong place. Fixed that problem and double checked all other wire connections.
Car starts but battery light is still on, and I’m scared to drive and be stranded again.
What am I missing?
Monday, November 8th, 2021 AT 4:39 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,128 POSTS
Hi, Stacy. Hang in there. We'll get it fixed.

To start, since this just happened when you replaced the starter, I need you to check something for me. At the alternator itself, there will be a red wire with a black tracer. That wire should have 12v at all times. Please check that first and let me know if it has power.

That wire comes from the starter motor direct battery power connection. That is the larger wire on the starter. If it broke when working on the starter, the alternator won't work.

Next, I have another question. You indicated installing the ground in the wrong place for the starter. Please explain. There is no "ground wire" at the starter. It is grounded through the engine where mounted.

I attached a wiring schematic below for you. It is the entire charging system. I had to cut the pic in half to make it readable for you, but I did overlap them so you can follow from one to the next. Use this as a reference.

Here is a link you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Let me know what is found. All engines except the 2.4L have a fusible link between the starter and alternator, but you should be hard wires according to the schematics.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

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Monday, November 8th, 2021 AT 6:56 PM

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