I have a 1990 Volvo 240 dl wagon with electrical problems. It will start but within minutes the car dies. I have a new battery and a refurbished alternator. I checked to see if the voltage regulator was bad and it still has life in it. The little red wire on the alternator was cut but I reconnected it. It didn't solve the problem and the dash lights still won't turn on. I then noticed that there was a blue (negative ground) wire hanging freely by the radiator. It is the long ground off the negative battery terminal. I assumed it went to the starter but when I attached it, the positive wire and negative arched. I tried replacing the starter because the car wouldn't start but once I removed the negative wire it started fine.

My question is where does this battery ground go and can anyone show or tell me the correct starter wiring. Currently, I have two positive red wires stacked on the positive solenoid terminal. I am uncertain that this is correct because the wiring was all messed up when I got it.

Any help would be appreciated greatly! Thanks

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