"both battery cables are black"
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| Idiot Of The Year; category: battery installed backward https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=49937 |
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| Author: | bikeymikey [ Sun Sep 30, 2012 8:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | Idiot Of The Year; category: battery installed backward |
Yep, it goes to me. I was getting ready to button up my k-member swap and went to put in the battery. You guessed it, both battery cables are black and I installed it backwards. I should have stopped to think when I saw sparks coming from the battery terminal but my wife was waiting for the car to go shopping and I wanted to get her done. Well anyway, I hooked it up backwards and tried to start the car, but of course it didn't work. I get out and realized that I AM AN IDIOT!!! The battery was drained, so I dropped in another one, and the car started right up. And I can drive it around, it starts fine every time. But that's where my luck ends. The headlights are very dim and I think there is something wrong with the charging system because with the engine running I'm only getting 12.49v across the battery terminals. What should I check for? And how? I did a search and found that something similar has happened to a fellow forum member TWO YEARS AGO. I think in that thread Dan suggested the diodes in his alternator were fried. -how do I test an alternator? I think the one I have is stock -is there anything else that I should test for? How do I go about it? I have a voltmeter, and a test light. Looking forward to your replies, bracing myself for your jeers. Thanks, Mike |
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| Author: | SlantSixDan [ Sun Sep 30, 2012 8:58 am ] |
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Alternator's toast—its diodes are cooked. You'll want to replace the alternator and voltage regulator. That should be the extent of the damage. |
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| Author: | bikeymikey [ Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:33 am ] |
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Quote: Alternator's toast—its diodes are cooked. You'll want to replace the alternator and voltage regulator. That should be the extent of the damage.
Thanks Mr. Dan
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| Author: | mcnoople [ Sun Sep 30, 2012 1:43 pm ] |
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Don't feel too bad I see it all the time at work. I work at a toyota dealer and the absolute most fun is when someone does it to a prius. Hook them up backwards and you can blow the power inverter. It's only about $2000 to replace one on a prius. Most modern stuff will pop the alternator fuse when hooked up backwards. |
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| Author: | Danarchy [ Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
| "both battery cables are black"
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| Author: | GTS225 [ Sun Sep 30, 2012 3:40 pm ] |
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Quote: "both battery cables are black"Ummm.....yeah, Mikey....you might want to correct that at the earliest opportunity. Other than that, you just proved you're a human.  Roger |
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| Author: | bikeymikey [ Mon Oct 01, 2012 5:23 am ] |
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Quote: Quote: "both battery cables are black"Ummm.....yeah, Mikey....you might want to correct that at the earliest opportunity. Other than that, you just proved you're a human. Roger Thanks all. |
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| Author: | WagonsRcool [ Mon Oct 01, 2012 12:02 pm ] |
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I know from personal experience, if you have a completely discharged battery on your bench & you hook up the charger backwards for a few hours, it WILL take a charge- sort of. (Huh? why does this thing read NEGATIVE 8.5 volts?- dohh!) If you reverse polarity when you try to jump start another car, the jumper clamp will try to weld itself to the spot you hooked to- (I broke it loose before anything blew up) I once had a Supra Turbo towed in after AAA tried to jump start it- the alternator fuse WAS blown, but so was the $900 ignition module- I guess they had the ignition on when they hooked up backwards. Point is, you live & learn (betcha never do that again  )- damage was done but the car's still there.
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| Author: | Red [ Mon Oct 01, 2012 3:56 pm ] |
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Hey, Mopars (and many other cars) USED to have positive ground systems: just pretend you mistook your car for a 1930-something model. Then again, I guess that wouldn't be much of a face saver, now would it. As you were... |
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