Booster cables were hooked up backwards, help!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 5
From: Holly, Michigan
Booster cables were hooked up backwards, help!!
Guys, I need some help/advice..I went to start my vette (it was sitting for a couple weeks) and it only clicked. No surprise there. So I pulled my mother-in-law's Mercedes in the garage and handed one end of the cables to my buddy and asked him to hook it to the Benz. He did and so I hooked up my end. I saw a spark, but thought it was because the battery was low. I walked back around the car to get in and crank it over and we saw smoke coming out from around the battery area on my vette! We immediately pulled the cables loose from the battery. Turns out that he saw a red cover on one of the Benz's terminals and assumed that it was the positive, but it actually was the ground.
Long story short, cables were hooked up backwards, smoke came out of the vette...
Before anyone asks, I didn't bust his chops, it was an honest mistake..
Any idea what the extent of the damage that is likely to have occurred?
Also, now there is no power anywhere in the vehicle..
Thanks in advance...
Long story short, cables were hooked up backwards, smoke came out of the vette...
Before anyone asks, I didn't bust his chops, it was an honest mistake..
Any idea what the extent of the damage that is likely to have occurred?
Also, now there is no power anywhere in the vehicle..
Thanks in advance...
Last edited by Gideon's_Test; Sep 11, 2010 at 11:22 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Well right under the battery is the computer. Not good. Maybe just a cable got hot and smoked a bit, If there is any damage done you will tell. If it were me I would get a fire extinguisher handy and try again the correct way.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
It might just be the battery that smoked (hopefully)...fingers crossed
Have you tried putting in a new battery?
Fuses might also have blown (that's what they're there for). Check all the fuses...
Have you tried putting in a new battery?Fuses might also have blown (that's what they're there for). Check all the fuses...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,197
Likes: 190
From: ALL governments are legalized mobsters, so doesn't matter where I live :(
Remove the battery, check for burnt wires to the PCM, check ALL fuses. I did this on my Mustang a few years back and it wasn't pretty...however, most cars do have a "fail safe" in the form of either standard fuse or wire fuse that gives way before any negative current gets to the vital parts of the car...(not sure how it is in the vette.) The mustang had a wire fuse that is attached to the ignition coil that burns out.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 5
From: Holly, Michigan
As you guys suggested, I looked for burned wires (didn't see any) and fully charged the battery (overnight). I installed the battery, and turned the key, and it started! No check engine light, no codes, nothing! Praise the Lord!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 1
From: North Topsail Beach NC
You may also want to check for damage on the Benz. When I did something similar years ago, I smoked the alternator on the car that I was using to supply power to the disabled vehicle. Recommend that you use a voltmeter to check to ensure the charging systems on both vehicles are still functioning properly.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 5
From: Holly, Michigan
You may also want to check for damage on the Benz. When I did something similar years ago, I smoked the alternator on the car that I was using to supply power to the disabled vehicle. Recommend that you use a voltmeter to check to ensure the charging systems on both vehicles are still functioning properly.
I wiil indeed check them both.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,780
Likes: 42
From: Lake Norrell Arkansas
Glad to hear you were able to get it started and checked out. Sounds like you may be OK. Since you did not try to start it with the cables hooked up wrong and you are not getting any trouble codes, it seems like everything is fine. 
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 20
From: Santa Fe TX
I few years ago, I was adding an aftermarket horn to a 1972 mustang because it needed one to pass inspection.
I was used to the cable that went to the frame being ground, so I hooked it up that way. only problem was that the cable I saw was going to the frame mounted starter solenoid, so I had indeed wired the horn up backwards. It would honk once and then the horn wire would get red hot and burn to the ground. LOL.
I was used to the cable that went to the frame being ground, so I hooked it up that way. only problem was that the cable I saw was going to the frame mounted starter solenoid, so I had indeed wired the horn up backwards. It would honk once and then the horn wire would get red hot and burn to the ground. LOL.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 40
From: Orangevale California
St. Jude Donor '10
I got a bad feeling. Even though the car is running, I'm sure there is some burned insulation on one of cables. Smoking is a dead giveaway. It may not be causing you any trouble at this point, but it sure could.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 5
From: Holly, Michigan
Ok, I drove to my storage area today. I had two small issues:
1) The stereo doesn't appear to be working
2) I got the "pull key & wait 10sec" mressage...I did so, and it was fine. By the way I have had the final column lock recall done (locking plate removal).
Otherwise, everything seems great!
1) The stereo doesn't appear to be working
2) I got the "pull key & wait 10sec" mressage...I did so, and it was fine. By the way I have had the final column lock recall done (locking plate removal).
Otherwise, everything seems great!
