# Starter Installation Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** starters, alero, electrical-wiring, oldsmobile\ **Created:** [May 31, 2022, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starter-installation-question/184401 "2022-05-31T16:11:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sakari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sakari](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sakari)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2022, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starter-installation-question/184401/1 "2022-05-31T16:11:22Z")
Greetings, I’m installing a starter for an Oldsmobile Alero 2002 3.4L V6, and I’ve run into a curious situation where there are 3 wires but only 2 posts to connect them to. It looks pretty clear that the small wire goes to the smaller 8mm post, but does anyone know if I connect only one wire to the larger post or put both on there? And if I connect both of them, does the order matter? Here’s a picture of the situation. The larger post in the back is where one or both wires connect to. ![Starter Wires](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/2/3/23c9e89cadfd30bd05d219bc5e94a7b9ec8278f4.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2022, 4:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starter-installation-question/184401/2 "2022-05-31T16:19:18Z")
The small wire goes on the small post. That’s from the ignition switch. The big wire on the big post. That’s from the battery. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2022, 6:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starter-installation-question/184401/3 "2022-05-31T18:04:29Z")
That big wad of exposed copper wire is a fire waiting to ignite. The insulation is completely gone and if it touches the block or starter you will have serious problems. ---
**Author:** ![Sakari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sakari](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sakari)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2022, 6:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starter-installation-question/184401/4 "2022-05-31T18:39:20Z")
Oh wow, thanks for the heads up! I’ll take care of that while I’m in there as well. ---
**Author:** ![Sakari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sakari](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sakari)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2022, 6:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starter-installation-question/184401/5 "2022-05-31T18:41:01Z")
So there is a third wire as well, it’s tucked away in that current picture but I can take a fresh pic of all three wires if that helps. The third one that is not shown is the smallest and goes to the small post, but should I connect the two that are shown to the large post, or only one of them? And if both, does the order matter? Sorry for the confusion. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2022, 6:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starter-installation-question/184401/6 "2022-05-31T18:54:20Z")
Looks used. Well used. I could look at my 2005 3.4 for ref ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2022, 6:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starter-installation-question/184401/7 "2022-05-31T18:58:52Z")
How were the wires attached on the old starter? ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2022, 6:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starter-installation-question/184401/8 "2022-05-31T18:59:19Z")
Both large eyelets go on the same stud. The thinner wire with the large eyelet is the fuse link from the alternator. ---
**Author:** ![Sakari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sakari](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sakari)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2022, 7:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starter-installation-question/184401/9 "2022-05-31T19:12:40Z")
Ok excellent, I’ll try that out and see what happens. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2022, 12:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starter-installation-question/184401/10 "2022-06-01T00:17:57Z")
I’m guessing Nevada above is spot on. No experience with your car’s configuration, but by contrast my Corolla’s starter has a sort of mystery wire. Doesn’t connect to the wiring harness at all. It connects from one part of the starter to another, and allows for testing the solenoid contracts.