I messed up big time c3

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 14, 2019 | 09:50 PM

Vette2300

Thread Starter

4th Gear

Joined: Jan 2019

Posts: 4

Likes: 1

I messed up big time c3

I made a silly, stupid mistake the other night. It was dark and I needed to move the vette however, it needed to be jumped. Long story short, I reversed the polarity on the battery and didn’t realize it and even tried to start it before I noticed they were swapped and now she won’t start at all. The battery was completely dead before hand (due to a parasitic leak, but that’s a story for another time) and I know that’s fried. I threw a new battery in and replaced the fuses as I had an extra set. I still can’t get it to start or even turn over at all. I thought maybe the starter solenoid may have gotten fried but unsure. Any thoughts? Again, I know I messed up bad....

Last edited by Vette2300; Jan 14, 2019 at 09:51 PM.

Jan 14, 2019 | 09:52 PM

Gordonm

Race Director

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 19,610

Likes: 778

From: Forked River NJ

Check your fusible links. They usually get fried when this happens.

Jan 15, 2019 | 09:52 AM

71 Green 454

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 6,400

Likes: 1,226

From: Tampa Florida

Hope you get it resolved.

Jan 15, 2019 | 10:13 AM

Rescue Rogers

Is my vette stock?? HAHA

Joined: Oct 2015

Posts: 20,217

Likes: 9,354

From: Im not allowed to tell you

2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified

2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)

2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)

2016 C3 of Year Finalist

I would grab a meter or test light and start tracing power. I agree with the fusible links.

Jan 15, 2019 | 10:42 AM

squared

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 165

Likes: 31

From: space coast florida

open

other than reverse biasing some diodes..nothing. depending on how many volts your battery was producing, the net on the system was something less than 12 volts reverse polarity. think about it, did any negative electrical effects happen with the car you used to jump it? are you sure a dead battery was the problem in the first place?

Jan 15, 2019 | 11:18 AM

BLUE1972

Race Director

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 19,228

Likes: 1,672

From: Long Island

YOU LUCKED OUT - so to speak, neither battery blew up.

I agree check the fusible links.

I would also check the ground points for damage.

I would take voltage readings on the starter, Alt and fuse box while a charger is on the battery - to see if a wire is burnt / corroded.

Try banging on the started while someone is attempting to start the car.

Last edited by BLUE1972; Jan 15, 2019 at 11:21 AM.

Jan 15, 2019 | 11:42 AM

squared

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 165

Likes: 31

From: space coast florida

I would suspect you've got either an alternator or ignition switch issue if the battery's draining. (Assuming you don't have something directly wired) First thing I would do is to disconnect the battery and ohm out the cables, switch off, to see if the circuit's open. Switch on, the circuit should be closed across the same junction. Check the resistance between the negative battery cable and; 1) frame, 2) block which should be close to zero. Next, disconnect the alternator cable with switch on, ohm the battery cables and see what you get there.

Put a positive battery lead on the starter cable, (or directly to the starter post) negative battery lead on the block. Jump the small solenoid screw on the starter to the positive cable. If it turns over, solenoid's not your issue. If that works, then also connect a positive battery lead to your ignition coil positive side, and repeat jumping the starter. If it runs, you've got a switch or wiring problem therein.