Alternator/starter Wired Incorrectly?

I followed this diagram:

http://i801.photobucket.com/albums/yy299/mfuchs33/Altwire04.gif

When I cranked over the engine, the ground wire from the case to the battery got extremely hot and started to smoke, if I take it off the engine won't turn over at all. What did I do wrong?

The large gauge yellow wire and the + from the battery are on the big lug of the solenoid and the purple wire that is only hot when the key is turned are all correct and the purple wire is only hot when the key is turned.

I am switching over from the stock alternator. Thanks in advance guys.

Mike

 

do you have a neg cable from engine block to frame too

 

Would that cause the ground wire to heat up like that? If the engine to frame wasn't grounded?

 

I am embarrassed to report, I found the problem. Not only was the motor not grounded to the frame (just swapped this motor in) but I also hadn't bothered to reattach the negative wire from the battery back to ground either! Thanks Twin2

 

Grounds are very important.. battery ground to engine, engine to frame. It's amazing what a bad ground does... all sort of funny things. Slow cranking starter, no start. this can cause lots of resistance for wiring, therefore heat.

I see a fuse in your diagram, what type of fuse? If its a fuseable link that is older, might replace they can act up sometimes.


Nvm, OP solved his issue.