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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1966 Dart Wagon
1967 Volvo 122s
1989 Ford F350 4x4

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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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Thanks Mr. Dan

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1966 Dart Wagon
1967 Volvo 122s
1989 Ford F350 4x4

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.

"both battery cables are black"

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1964 Dart GT

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Ummm.....yeah, Mikey....you might want to correct that at the earliest opportunity. Other than that, you just proved you're a human.

Roger

Yes, I will do that.

Thanks all.

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1966 Dart Wagon
1967 Volvo 122s
1989 Ford F350 4x4

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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63 Valiant Wagon
225 - 4 bbl

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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obliquely-inclined state of mind