Battery cables put on backwards...ugh

[Explorin'VA]

I put my battery cables on in reverse order. I understand this was ignorant on my part but it was a mistake and I'm only looking for a way to fix it. I quickly took them off and turned my battery around and hooked up the cables again, but after doing this my alternator began to smoke. I pulled the cables off and haven't done anything to it since. My lights still work, the truck still starts, only thing that went that I'm aware of was my radio.
Would replacing the alternator and any blown fuses/relays be a safe first attempt at fixing this? Any other parts y'all recommend I replace such as battery cables or any other ignition/electrical parts? Thanks

 

[Turdle]

You "might" have just popped the volatge regulator--diode pack on the alternator.

Replace it, and the fuses, you should be fine. There might be a "memory" fuse in the yellow power wire of your head unit to check also--

 

[Explorin'VA]

Good news, replacing the alternator fixed everything. I found one used out of a 2nd gen. I'm thankful because I've heard of much worse happening. My battery is really low now though, I'm gonna drive around for a bit to see if that charges it back up. Thanks

 

[Turdle]

Good to read.

 

[malohnes]

Lucky! Glad you got a slap on the wrist instead of a kick in the arse!

I made that mistake once before, note I said once, and I made out just as fortunately as you. I have heard far worse things. I made sure I marked my battery cables and terminals with red on positive to make sure I don't pull a stupid.

 

[Explorin'VA]

Well maybe I spoke too soon.

The new replacement battery I bought is done for so I've been running my old battery(which still had some life left in it), but now it will not hold a charge. I was driving last night and it got really low and my rpm gauge starting bouncing around sporadically. I charged it up this morning but it lost all it's power after driving a little bit. I also noticed that when I let off the brake after a complete stop the truck would steadily go faster and even moved into 2nd gear without even pressing the accelerator.

 

[Explorin'VA]

Tightened my belt down some more and now we're good

 

[Roadrunner777]

got lucky

 

[Explorin'VA]

First and last time doing that for sure.