I was installing my alternator and tried starting the car and no starter motor click, no lights battery is kinda new, even though its the battery how come I'm not hearing the started motor engaging with the click sound?

Last time I installed the alternator a wire coming from the battery white and red strip made a small amount of smoke on the plastic harness.
Tried disconnecting that harness and cleaning the contacts no luck

Anyone please help me need to get the ute running again
thanks