alternator to starter wire?

[dbz864]

Just swaped the gearbox on me 1.9 petrol 1988,when connecting the starter back up i noticed a wire particaly burned/melted it went from the starter (main connector) to the alternator main connerctor,is there normally a cable there?The only other cable on the alternator was,well i think it is the warning light cable? Any ideas,please?Adam

[Mocki]

Yes that's the way the battery is charged, from the alternator to the starter to the battery .
It's common for that wire to corrode internally and fail, allowing the electric tank to become empty!

[dbz864]

Thanks,didnt know that,i noticed that the terminals were "proper"(if that makes sense).I thought some one may have put it like that to save running a cable to the battery.Now i know it should be as it is,il replace the wire,dont supose you know what the size of the cable should be,ie 2.5,4.0mm?
It alarmed me a bit as the cable run next to a fuel line,had visions of the cable melting into the fuel line.Thanks for your help.adam

[Mocki]

Sorry can't remember the size of the wire, as I removed it from my van when I moved the battery, and uprated the wiring,
But bigger is better!

[dbz864]

thanks steve