When connecting the battery cables, there is a lot of sparking

1999 CHRYSLER CIRRUS
170,000 MILES • 6 CYL • AUTOMATIC
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LUCKYSTATTS123
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So, i have the car listed above lxi. i changed my alternator and my battery is brand new, but when i get ready to put the battery cables on either or if i have positive or negative plugged into first the second one seems to keep sparking crazy which i don't know why. i made sure my system was taken out plugs out of it. i took off the connections to speakers. i don't see what's going on I'm confused i know there's juice in it. i also changed my spark plugs brand new. can someone please explain to me what's going on that might be the problem please?
Mar 14, 2022 at 8:20 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning,

Check the wiring on your alternator. It sounds like the power wire is on the wrong terminal.

I attached a picture of where the wire from the battery positive goes. Make sure it is mounted there.

Roy
Image (Click to enlarge)
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Mar 14, 2022 at 8:35 AM
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LUCKYSTATTS123
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And if i change this if it is wrong what if it does it again? What if it isn't wrong then what do i do next?
Mar 14, 2022 at 8:39 AM
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STEVE W.
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If it is connected correctly and connecting the battery (connect positive first, then negative) still sparks then you have a large power draw in the car and that may be why the battery and alternator went bad in the first place. What were the reasons why they were changed and how long ago?
Mar 14, 2022 at 8:48 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Did you do the test I attached?

What were the results?

Roy
Mar 14, 2022 at 8:56 AM
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LUCKYSTATTS123
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Honestly, i believe it was attached correctly. do you want me to send video?
Mar 14, 2022 at 9:26 AM
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LUCKYSTATTS123
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Here is a video:
Video (Click to enlarge)
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Mar 14, 2022 at 9:35 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Check the fat wire for battery voltage. Hook up the battery and see if that has battery voltage.

Roy
Mar 14, 2022 at 11:33 AM
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STEVE W.
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In the video it looks like the battery wire that connects to the alternator has a tab on it to hold it from moving. Normally that tab would go inside of a large plastic piece on the rear of the alternator that surrounds the battery terminal to keep it isolated. That piece seems to be missing on the replacement alternator, as you can see the stud and back of the case. with no isolator. I suspect that tab was hitting the back of the alternator and shorting the cable to the case.
The easy solution would be to add a second nut to the post to lift the cable and tab clear and be sure it can't touch. Or simply cut the tab off of the ring terminal so it cannot short the lead out. Oh, and thanks for the video.
Mar 14, 2022 at 1:40 PM
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STEVE W.
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Just checking to see if you found the problem as we haven't heard anything in a bit. Thank you.
Mar 23, 2022 at 6:53 PM