Jumper cables used the wrong way :(

[scotisha]

So my girlfriend goes to start the car in the morning to find out she left the lights on. So she flagged someone down (I was already at work) and got a jump. The only problem, she switched the ends and hooked up the + to the -. She says there was sparking and a little smoke from the wires at the + terminal. She took them off right away, saw that they were reversed and tried to use them the right way. Car didn't start.

So I took a look and there is no melted wiring (that I could easily see) and I checked the fuses in the main fuse box. I am going to check the fuses again but are there any hidden fuses? Did she really mess up the car? Hopefully not!

Thanks,

Scott

[dlb]

i've actually never heard of anyone doing this before. i have no idea what it might cause but there are fuses located above the driver's kick panel, to the right of the glove box (you have to remove some of the dash to access them), and in the engine bay, right by the battery.

[scotisha]

Well I returned the battery and got a new one under the warranty so that is one thing out of the way. Thanks crappy tire!

All the fuses in the box near the battery are fine. I will try and find the ones by the glove box.

The only burnt electrical smell that I can detect is coming from the square thing on the battery harness that goes to the fuse box. Is that a fuse in-itself or just a connector to the fuse box?

I think that the black plastic protector on the positive terminal made her think that was the negative terminal?

Thanks,

S

[splatterdog]

Those are fusible links from the + batt terminal to the black box. If blown they will be bubbled and will likely break if you try to stretch the wire.

They are either a dealer item or most auto parts stores will have something universal or even bulk fusible link wire to make your own.

[scotisha]

That would be it! I will get another tomorrow.

Thanks!

S

[scotisha]

Just to update...

It was the fusible links that I had to replace. I just had to use lots of liquid wrench and sweat to get all the nuts undone first. Under $10 for all fusible links and the connectors.

Thanks!

S