dumb dumb dumb mistake!!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
dumb dumb dumb mistake!!!!
Here is the situation. I just replace the starter. After instslling the starter I was installing the battery when I smelled smoke. Long story short I recersed the polarity on the hook up of the battery. The fusible link is gone, so I replaced that. Now the ngine won't turn over. I have accessory and headlight power. I never tried to start the car with the battery hooked up in reverse, could I have just toasted the battery? What else should I check? What gauge fusible link should be used to the starter?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
The fusable link comes off the large stud on the starter where the positive battery cable is. It is either 12 or 14 guage wire. You need to get an electrical meter out and start checking voltages, find out how much voltage is at the battery (12.2VDC to 13.4VDC) then check the horn relay on the drivers side inner fenderwell as this is where the feed from the starter post goes then another wire feeds the fuse box from there.
Reversing the polarity could have destroyed the diodes in the alternator but first you have to start the Vette to find out where your at (running voltage should be 13.5-14.2 VDC.)
Reversing the polarity could have destroyed the diodes in the alternator but first you have to start the Vette to find out where your at (running voltage should be 13.5-14.2 VDC.)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
That's pretty dumb, alright. I've done dumber things, tho; wrecked my radiator taking the fan shroud off, that was pretty dumb. Dropped a full bottle of pretty good scotch right out in the liquor store parking lot once......I was so embarrassed, I wished everybody else was dead! Just chalk it up to experience and don't do it again. My Grandpappy always said "It's ok to make mistakes, as long as ya learn from 'em.....
Scott
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Ya never, EVER, did it again, did ya?
(This smilie is what snoopykissedlucy looked like with hot antifreeze dripping out of his mouth!)Scott
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Here is the situation. I just replace the starter. After instslling the starter I was installing the battery when I smelled smoke. Long story short I recersed the polarity on the hook up of the battery. The fusible link is gone, so I replaced that. Now the ngine won't turn over. I have accessory and headlight power. I never tried to start the car with the battery hooked up in reverse, could I have just toasted the battery? What else should I check? What gauge fusible link should be used to the starter?
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,235
Likes: 4,326
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I think any mistake that doesn't hurt you isn't too bad.
A well known Corvette person came home from a drive. He popped the hood to just take a look and noticed a large bubble in the upper radiator hose. Without thinking he reached his index finger out and touched it. The bubble burst and sprayed scalding water across his chest.... his instinct was to turn out of the way and it sprayed his side also before he could back away.
Be careful while making your mistakes.
Regards,
Alan
I think any mistake that doesn't hurt you isn't too bad.
A well known Corvette person came home from a drive. He popped the hood to just take a look and noticed a large bubble in the upper radiator hose. Without thinking he reached his index finger out and touched it. The bubble burst and sprayed scalding water across his chest.... his instinct was to turn out of the way and it sprayed his side also before he could back away.
Be careful while making your mistakes.
Regards,
Alan
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
I contemplated marking a jar at the start of my 69 restoration with "blood, sweat, and tears"
Thinking every time one of those occurred while working on the car I would collect it somehow... but then i decided it would just be too unsanitary
Thinking every time one of those occurred while working on the car I would collect it somehow... but then i decided it would just be too unsanitary
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
If you have headlight power on a 74 your links should fine and you should have power "to" the ign switch.To start you need the purple/white stripe to get power,you really need at this point to use a test light. Auto or 4 speed ?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
A 4 speed makes it a little easier to test the purple going from the ignition switch to the starter solenoid (through the clutch safety switch).
Pull the 2 wire plug off the clutch switch and test the purple for 12v with the key turned to start.If you have power at this point we'll just keep moving towards the starter until we find the problem.
Couple questions,
Are you sure you put the purple at the starter on the S terminal ? (not the R terminal)The S term is closest to the engine block.
Do you still have the seat belt interlock system hooked up ?
There are 2 relays,one in the engine compartment and one in the console.
The one in the engine compartment you could try turning the ign key to ON and then pushing the black button on the relay and then turning the key to start and see if the starter engages. (the gauges fuse must be good and the pink wire needs to be attached to the IGN spade)
Pull the 2 wire plug off the clutch switch and test the purple for 12v with the key turned to start.If you have power at this point we'll just keep moving towards the starter until we find the problem.
Couple questions,
Are you sure you put the purple at the starter on the S terminal ? (not the R terminal)The S term is closest to the engine block.
Do you still have the seat belt interlock system hooked up ?
There are 2 relays,one in the engine compartment and one in the console.
The one in the engine compartment you could try turning the ign key to ON and then pushing the black button on the relay and then turning the key to start and see if the starter engages. (the gauges fuse must be good and the pink wire needs to be attached to the IGN spade)