Well my ex-wifes alleged machenically inclined boyfriend ask me very nicely to jump start their 1993 Pontiac Grand Am.
After HE hooked up the cables the van wouldn't turn over at all. It seems he hooked the positive cable to the negative terminal vice-versa. Brilliant really.
I installed a new battery and everything is working as expected. Did he fry my old battery that way? Or what exactly does reversing the poles like that do??
2007-01-28 00:33:43 · 6 answers · asked by ☺ PeeJ ☺ 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You are lucky if he has not done some damage, I have known the alternators and starters to get fried like this. The charging system needs to be checked.
2007-01-28 00:59:13 · answer #1 · answered by bobby 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only thing I would double check on your vehicle is the alternator charging voltage. Simply connect a Digital Multi-Meter (DMM sold at Sears for $15) to your battery terminals while your engine is idling. It should read about 14 volts. Set the DMM to the 20 Volt DC range. I'm thinking it's possible that the transient voltage spike caused by the jumpstart could have damaged one of your alternator's diodes. If so, your charging voltage will measure less than 14 volts. Rev the engine slightly to get a better reading of the full alternator output voltage.
2007-01-28 09:20:25 · answer #2 · answered by bobweb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I would say that dorkus owes you a battery. By hooking up the cables wrong he shorted out the internals in your battery. Luckily he didn't reverse the polority on you.
REMEMBER THIS.. when jump starting someone else... always have your engine off an the key out... that way they can only screw up your battery. With the key on or engine running they can damage your electrical system !!
2007-01-28 08:41:53 · answer #3 · answered by shovelkicker 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your lucky it was only the battery, and not the computer.What i always do is ground the negative cable to the car frame to protect my vehicle. And make sure your accs, are off like your radio, ac, radar detector, wipers and that my vehicle is running at the time so my car battery isn,t robbed of juice from the other vehicle.
2007-01-28 08:55:17 · answer #4 · answered by sirjames 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are very fortunate you are only replacing a battery. Could have been a fire or explosion and burn up good things like your alternator, electronic components etc. Depending on the year make and model of your car. Lady luck was with you this time.
2007-01-28 08:51:54 · answer #5 · answered by parkmistyred 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your ex's wife owes you the money for a battery..... he is lucky he didnt fry all the electronics....the fool.
2007-01-28 09:17:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋