How to Wire a Battery to a Starter

by Cayden Conor

The battery must be wired to the starter for the starter to work. The wire must be a thick cable, as the starter uses amperage, not voltage, to start. The typical positive battery cable is 4 gauge. The typical negative battery cable is 2 gauge. When installing the battery cables, you must ensure that they do not touch the exhaust. A starter is very close to the exhaust on many cars and trucks, and it is easy for the cable to bounce against the exhaust while you are driving.

Step 1

Remove the old negative battery cable from the battery, using the appropriate wrench. Follow the cable to its ground -- it will be on either the side of the block or the frame of the vehicle. Remove the ground cable from the engine or the frame.

Step 2

Remove the positive battery cable from the battery. Follow it down to the starter, removing it from any cable ties or brackets as you go. Remove the cable from the starter, using the wrench. Put the nut back on the post on the starter so you don't lose it.

Step 3

Clean the battery terminals using baking soda and water, and the battery terminal cleaner, if acid is built up on the terminals. Dry the terminals.

Step 4

Connect the new positive cable to the starter, using the wrench. Route the cable up through its ties and/or brackets. Attach the positive cable to the positive battery terminal and tighten the cable terminal, using a wrench.

Step 5

Connect the negative cable to its ground. Connect the battery end of the cable to the battery, using the appropriate wrench.

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