I changed the starter and got a new battery for my 85 TA 305 tpi and after reconnecting the starter I hooked the positive and when I put the negative to the battery it arced like crazy and smoked and melted the terminal. So I think something is backwards. On the starter I have the black negative wire to the housing and the small wire to the small post on the solenoid and the large wire on the large post on the solenoid. Am I missing a wire or is something not hooked up right?

 

Only 2 wires connect to the starter.

battery positive on the large post @ the solenoid.

switched ignition to small post @ the solenoid

this completes the circuit.


The negative battery cable attaches to the engine block via the motor mount.

DO NOT CONNECT THE NEGATIVE CABLE TO THE STARTER.

THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO START A FIRE OR GET YOURSELF KILLED !

 

Well there's my problem. I didn't take the old starter off so I had no idea where the wires went. Thanks for the help!