Q: Battery light on, alternator good, battery changed, changed starter week ago but it's missing a little cable the old one had.

asked by on October 11, 2016

I ordered the the starter online typed all info correctly I've changed the battery and the alternator I had it checked twice and the battery light didn't come on until I changed the starter, so do you think it could be the little cable that the starter missing?

My car has 128000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Battery Light is on Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hello. Yes. The small cable that is on the battery generally is for grounding purposes. Without that cable you won’t have complete connection as far as electrical goes. If you need to have this checked, a qualified professional like one from YourMechanic, can determine the cause of the battery light and help you move forward with proper repairs.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Possible vacuum leak causing engine to rev while parked.
It is possible that you may have a vacuum leak and if you do the computer will generate a code for system too lean. I would have a technician come out and inspect the codes on the computer (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/75-point-safety-inspection)and see...
Serpentine belt came off of 2005 Toyota Camry
The bottom pulley is called the harmonic balancer. It helps the internals of the cars engine rotate smoothly by damping the vibrations. The pulley portion of the balancer is attached by a thick rubber glue. Over time, this glue becomes...
Air conditioner blowing warm and cool air
The A/C system on these vehicles may have a problem with the A/C controls that would require replacing the A/C control module (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ac-control-module-replacement), and then programming it to work on your vehicle and having an A/C recharge. This is all...
Coolant leak around engine
Hello. There are coolant hoses that run on the side, back, and front of the engine with the coolant circulating throughout. It is possible that a broken hose around the back of the engine is causing it to appear like...
Is the autobody shop charging me for too many labor hours to repaint parts of my car?
Hi there: It's very difficult to determine if the shop is charging more hours without reviewing all of the initial damage, their completed repairs or the process they used to make these repairs. In general however, when a serious accident...
Everytime I drive on the freeway 60+ mph it starts to wobble.
This a warranty issue and that means that, regardless of the cause, which I will help you with momentarily, the dealership is absolutely required to resolve this issue and resolve it pronto due to the existence of Federal and state...
My car has new battery but will not start
Not all new batteries are fully charged so you should verify the charge status of the battery and correct as necessary. Be sure the battery is connected properly (no reverse polarity) and that all cables are secure and free of...
Toyota Camry 144k V6 When car is turned on the rpm is between 1 and 2. When I let it warm it it will eventually go under 1 on the
Hi Jo. Thanks for contacting us tonight. There are several reasons why an engine RPM will be higher upon initial start-up. If the weather is colder than normal, the cold start injector on your Toyota Camry will naturally raise the...

Related articles

2012 Chevrolet Malibu vs. 2012 Ford Fusion: Which One Should I Buy?
When you want a midsize sedan, you’re looking for something that will offer you the best fuel economy for the size as well as additional safety features that will keep your family safe while you’re driving across town or around...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re Single
When When you’re buying a vehicle that needs to meet the requirements of all kinds of passengers the process can prove to be rather tricky. However, if you happen to be single, you’re the one in control, and your list...
How to Buy a Good Quality Starter
Did Did you know that when automobiles were first invented, you had to crank them to get them started? Fast forward to today, when many vehicles have a key or even a button that is gently pressed or rotated in...