Aldrich67

I did something stupid as I just replaced the starter on my 1996 Audi 2.8L V6 (AFC) and had to remove the alternator to get it out. In the process, I removed the wires for both starter and alternator. When I put the large gauge wires back on the starter or and alternator, I may have switched the two because when I tried to starte, the car doesn't do anything.

Did I damage the alternator or starter by mxing up the wires?

Can someone explain how to test which wire is for starter or which wire is for alternator when you turn the key to "on" position? Thanks.

Aldrich67

Just called an Audi delearship and both fat wires are hot when car is in the "on" position. So it doesn't matter which one you connect to on the starter or alternator. When everything is connected, I get ticking noises from under the knee bolster after beneath the sterring wheel. It's probably the starter relay getting confused as the starter is bad.

So most likely I got a bad junkyard starter with a bad solenoid. I guess the moral of the story is to get new equipment when it comes to electrical related stuff on a car.