When connecting the battery cables, there is a lot of sparking

Tiny
LUCKYSTATTS123
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHRYSLER CIRRUS
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
So, I have the car listed above lxi. I changed my alternator and my battery is brand new, but when I get ready to put the battery cables on either or if I have positive or negative plugged into first the second one seems to keep sparking crazy which I don't know why. I made sure my system was taken out plugs out of it. I took off the connections to speakers. I don't see what's going on I'm confused I know there's juice in it. I also changed my spark plugs brand new. Can someone please explain to me what's going on that might be the problem please?
Monday, March 14th, 2022 AT 8:20 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good morning,

Check the wiring on your alternator. It sounds like the power wire is on the wrong terminal.

I attached a picture of where the wire from the battery positive goes. Make sure it is mounted there.

Roy
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Monday, March 14th, 2022 AT 8:35 AM
Tiny
LUCKYSTATTS123
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And if I change this if it is wrong what if it does it again? What if it isn't wrong then what do I do next?
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Monday, March 14th, 2022 AT 8:39 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,490 POSTS
If it is connected correctly and connecting the battery (connect positive first, then negative) still sparks then you have a large power draw in the car and that may be why the battery and alternator went bad in the first place. What were the reasons why they were changed and how long ago?
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Monday, March 14th, 2022 AT 8:48 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Did you do the test I attached?

What were the results?

Roy
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Monday, March 14th, 2022 AT 8:56 AM
Tiny
LUCKYSTATTS123
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Honestly, I believe it was attached correctly. Do you want me to send video?
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Monday, March 14th, 2022 AT 9:26 AM
Tiny
LUCKYSTATTS123
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Here is a video:
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Monday, March 14th, 2022 AT 9:35 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Check the fat wire for battery voltage. Hook up the battery and see if that has battery voltage.

Roy
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Monday, March 14th, 2022 AT 11:33 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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In the video it looks like the battery wire that connects to the alternator has a tab on it to hold it from moving. Normally that tab would go inside of a large plastic piece on the rear of the alternator that surrounds the battery terminal to keep it isolated. That piece seems to be missing on the replacement alternator, as you can see the stud and back of the case. With no isolator. I suspect that tab was hitting the back of the alternator and shorting the cable to the case.
The easy solution would be to add a second nut to the post to lift the cable and tab clear and be sure it can't touch. Or simply cut the tab off of the ring terminal so it cannot short the lead out. Oh, and thanks for the video.
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Monday, March 14th, 2022 AT 1:40 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Just checking to see if you found the problem as we haven't heard anything in a bit. Thank you.
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Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022 AT 6:53 PM

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