1995 XP starter issues

[MattyB]

I took out the starter in my ski today, but cannot fit the life of me find the negative cable to it. I only removed the 2 books holding it to the case, the bracket on the other end and the positive cable. I can't find any other cables that are unhooked.
Would the starter have been making a clicking noise with only the positive hooked up?
And if I cannot locate the ground, can I make a cable myself that connects the battery negative to the negative connection on the starter? It will this not work?

 

[racerxxx]

The ground goes to the engine, the starter grounds to the engine. Most skis the battery grounds directly to the starter flange. Be sure to clean it really well.

 

[MattyB]

That makes so much sense! Can't believe I didn't realize that is just grounding against the engine. Thanks!

 

[MattyB]

Checking again and watching a few videos, it seems like there is supposed to be a ground wire on the starter that I just don't have. Can I just make a ground myself that goes from the starter to the battery? Like a 12 inch basic ground cable?
Next questions : I connected the starter to a battery while out of the ski and nothing happened but a few sparks. This means it's no good, correct?
Are the eBay specials for a starter and solenoid for 50 bucks any good? Well it last a full season?

 

[MattyB]

Continuing, how hard to put together are the starter ebooks kits? And are they better than buying an aftermarket starter?
Here's a picture of the ground wire attached to a starter that I grabbed off youtube. Sorry for the poor quality.
My starter did not have any type of wire going to it, and I cannot find anything inside the hull.