stupidly connected the battery the wrong way

[jgood04]

I connected the battery terminals the wrong way. when I realized i did this it was to late, a wire started smoking. I then hooked up the battery the correct way. The truck starts up fine I had a blown fuse in my speaker amp. I was wondering if I should just forget about it or take it in to get checked out?

 

[fixxxer]

Does it run ok? ammeter showing it's charging while running? probably nothing to worry about

 

[Willard]

You should be fine if you are certain everything is working normally.

 

[Dopler174]

You should be fine. If it blew the power wire fuse then all that should be good also.

 

[fixxxer]

BTW welcome to the forum!

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome aboard

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I guess you disconnected it in time. Parts like the PCM, voltage regulator, radio, and the diodes in the alternator could get ruined. I guess they are diode protected for situations like this.

 

[Jarubell]

Tough way to learn but i'll bet you won't do that again!

 

[wailim1972]

Hi All,

Yesterday I replaced my Ford Explorer battery with one obtained in Ireland in a car parts shop. Stupidly I never thought to check that the terminals were in the places I ASSUMED they were (of course they were not!).

I seated the +ve lead and as I attempted to push the -ve Iead on there were sparks, pump sounds and then smoke from the the fusible links. I withdrew the -ve cable as soon as I saw the smoke. It took me a while to realize what had actually happened and now I know I feel stupid.

I can't believe it. After completing a clutch replacement on a mkII Ford Mondeo manual requiring subframe removal and many other sub-procedures I come along an do this?!?

Anyhow, I might have escaped the worst. The radio/navigation fuse was blown and I limped home with a failing battery because the alternator is no longer charging!

I don't get a voltage reading between the Alternator upper wire (heavy duty charge wire) and the battery -ve terminal and the voltage across the battery terminals is down to 11.4 and falling.

I'm in work now but going home to do some more tests. I am hoping the narrow gauge fusible link wire is fried and replacing (bridging temporarily) this will bring my baby back to life.

Does anyone know if the two wire electrical connector to the Alternator/Generator can prevent it from producing a charge if for example those wires were damaged? I'm guessing they are there to control when the alternator generates power... but I don't have a wiring diagram yet.

Also can the Rectifier board be replaced if I fried it? Or do I need the complete new alternator. Some european Fords over here have similar looking motorcraft alternators in terms of mounting holes etc but may be geared differently for different rev profile. I fear this will not be cheap as its a 10 - 20 pound component posted from USA to Ireland if I have to go down that route.

... not to mention what other systems I have disturbed / damaged that will now fail shortly.

(

 

[1Aauto]

Welcome to the site

 

[scottmi]

connected battery wrong, fried wire, what else?

I did the same @#$% thing today after installing new battery cables. put the battery back in the car (the wrong way) and hooked it up and....smoking heavy red wire from the battery to the starter relay.

disconnected, cleaned it up, just appeared to be melted sheath, no fuses appear blown...

To test system, taped up the wire that melted and reconnected another, good, fully charged battery the right way. no spark, no lights when open door, no dash lights when turn to the "on" position.

when turned to crank starter, a couple dash lights lit and something got a little smoky somewhere (alternator? starter) but no cranking of starter.

both terminals disconnected now. troubleshooting to begin.

what else did I fry?

 

[wailim1972]

Hey sorry. I would usually reply faster but I didn't see the notification in spam!

I was lucky in that I realised my mistake just before I turned the key. I saw the smoke and ran back to the battery to disconnect. So in the end the voltage regulator inside the back cover of the alternator was all I needed. Mine was a 3rd generation. I think earlier models might have a different alternator with an external regulator. I've another post where I described the wiring plug as having 2 wires instead of 3.

So for you I'd say the regulator at a minimum.

The fusible links (where the smoke came from) can also test good for voltage but have fewer strands of good wire left and struggle with current.

If you turned the key too then I'd say a bunch of fuses too. So long as the ECU is not fried you might get away with this.

 

[scottmi]

never turned the key with it in the wrong way, just visibly smoked the one wire. but after turning battery around and getting it correct... no lights/action when turn key to "on."
still not gotten back to it yet for more diagnosing. partially busy, partially too disgusted!