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Forgive me if this is a repost, but I searched extensively but could not find any information.
My '01 coupe is low mileage (daily driver purchased in March) and I've been experiencing some typical electrical problems that I've been addressing as they arise. The other day the car wouldn't turn over, and I just heard clacking that I assumed was from a drained battery. I went to jump it today, and in my idiocy, attached the negative clamp to the bolt you see in the image attached.
Immediately after, the car no longer had ANY charge, and I quickly unhooked the jumper cables. After a minute or two, the fuse box started buzzing, and while I scrambled for a wrench to disconnect the battery, I returned to find the lights on (as they were prior to the 'jump') and no noise, but the fuse box would start making buzzing noises again when I pressed the brakes.
What is the bolt in the image attached, and did I ruin my electronics? I disconnected the battery and intend to try jumping it again in the morning (this time with the negative clamp hooked to the alternator frame), but I'd appreciate any additional insight into how badly I may have destroyed my car.
That looks like a ground point on the frame. However, it looks sort of dirty/corroded. Your problem may have been due to having a corroded high resistance ground connection and not being able to deliver sufficient current through the connection to start the car which results in the starter solenoid attempting to close and then not finishing (your clacking sound).
Also, if the battery is completely dead you may need to spend a half-hour or so just charging the battery before attempting to start the car. The starter can take several hundred amps to turn the engine over and if the jumper connections aren't able to deliver that much current the battery has to be able to provide some as well. You have a 20-year-old car with at least one compromised ground connection, there may be more and there may be a number of dirty/corroded voltage connections.
You didn't toast your cars electronics, what you heard were relays buzzing because voltage level is to low, previous advise to make sure your battery is fully charged is correct.
You didn't toast your cars electronics, what you heard were relays buzzing because voltage level is to low, previous advise to make sure your battery is fully charged is correct.
Agree with you. OP should have battery load tested, too. I had a Delco go bad in 1 year a couple years ago......
Did I toast my electronics?
