Battery light on after starter replacement?

NANSEE23

MEMBER
2008 CHEVROLET COBALT
2.2L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
145,000 MILES

I had to get a new battery. Two days after the battery we had to replace the starter. Once we replaced the starter, the car started right up. After a few seconds the battery light came on. Did we miss connecting something? It can't be the alternator, it was fine before. Help!

Thursday, August 17th, 2023 AT 12:41 PM

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,119 POSTS

Hi,

From the main power wire at the starter, a wire runs to the alternator with a fusible link in it. You may have damaged or forgotten to connect it to the starter when you replaced it.

I attached a pic below. I highlighted the "red" wire from the starter that runs to a fusible link which will be a black wire. I need you to locate that wire on the alternator and see if there is power present. Note: Power should be present at all times regardless of the ignition key position.

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.

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Thursday, August 17th, 2023 AT 8:27 PM

NANSEE23

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I found it! Thank you, thank you!

In my defense, my husband was the one who took out the old starter, so I didn’t see how it was hooked up. He ended up getting frustrated because he’s a big guy and his hands are too big to work on my car, so he quit.

Thank goodness nothing bad happened when I started the car with the fusible link wire connected in the wrong spot!

Thanks again, this website is Very Helpful!

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Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023 AT 10:23 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,119 POSTS

Hi,

I'm glad you got it fixed. Also, if that is where is was connected, it didn't hurt a thing. That post is for the trigger wire and only has power when the key is in the start position.

If you would have held the key in the start position, it would have charged. LOL It wouldn't have been too good for the starter.

Regardless, take care of yourself, and thank you for the update. Feel free to come back anytime in the future.

Joe

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Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023 AT 7:04 PM