Technical Replaced battery but connected wrong terminals

[Gardeneraceae]

Hi

I put a new battery in my 1988 1000cl Panda and stupidly connected to the wrong terminals. This resulted in a spark and although all of the other electrics are working there is no response other than a click when I turn the key in the ignition. Is there another fuse other than the ones in the fusebox to the side of the steering wheel? Could the incorrect connection have burnt out the ignition switch. Any help for a complete dufus would be hugely appreciated!

 

[andyjw0114]

If you're getting a click I would think the ignition is ok.....would be thinking a relay orfusible link but would need to check wiring diagram. Mine is later so electrics in engine bay will be different.Best of luck.

 

[andyjw0114]

Just in case....terminals are on tight & earth lead has good contact with body? All might be ok & just current not getting through to starter?

 

[Sjvarley]

Ok damage could be have done to the rectifier. On the alternator. Not having any form of ecu. Damage may be limited.to The above and the electronic spark unit
Radio too may be.

 

[andyjw0114]

Am I right in thinking damage probably depends on what was switched on when battery connected? If there was a spark on first putting terminals on & they were disconnected straightaway then that's the best case scenario....if the radio was on & you tried to start the car as well then polarity critical parts may have had it?

 

[firstcar-Y10]

Well hang on, is the problem battery related? You say the starter won't turn over at all now - did it before? Or did you assume when it didn't that the battery was at fault? Or at any rate if the battery was definitely an issue before do you know the starter worked then or was there not enough juice to try it? could be if the car has stood for a while the starter/gearbox/engine has a whole separate issue unrelated to the battery connection faux pas.

 

[Gardeneraceae]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I don’t have a radio in the car. Before I replaced the battery the starter was very sluggish. I was doing very short journeys and the car was sitting for days at a time without being used so I figured the battery wasn’t getting a chance to charge properly so replaced it. Before I replaced it there was no power from the battery to start the engine at all. I will check the earth and the connections tomorrow and report back.

 

[Gardeneraceae]

I don't think there is a relay of fuse on the wiring diagram. I tried a voltage drop test and it seems all the cables are intact and serviceable. I think it needs a new starter. I was trying to run the car on a very low battery for a while and I reckon I must have wrecked the motor. I think I'll order a new part and cross my fingers. Many thanks.

 

[g8rpi]

I don't think there is a relay of fuse on the wiring diagram. I tried a voltage drop test and it seems all the cables are intact and serviceable. I think it needs a new starter. I was trying to run the car on a very low battery for a while and I reckon I must have wrecked the motor. I think I'll order a new part and cross my fingers. Many thanks.

If you have meter or even test lamp (a interior or sidelight bulb with a couple of wires attached) you can do some more checks. Connnect one end to chassis (gnd) an the other to the large terminal on the starter motor. You should read 12V or light on even with ignition off.

Move to the small terminal and you should get 12V or a light with ignition to start. If both these tests pass you probably have a faulty starter.

As a final chek connect a jump lead between the battery positive post and large terminal on starter, a second from battery negative to engine block and try again. If it still does not start definately starter.

Robert G8RPI.

 

[Dragon Man]

give the solenoid a good hammering with a long metal bar and hammer.. it sounds like it has moved the wrong way and gotten jammed. few knocks should free it.

i would also check the alternator diodes too as said.

also see if you can bump start it.. but if the diodes have gone be sure to turn it off quick as the alternator will almost lock and could chew the belt up.

thankfully not a hard job to change an entire alternator, you can if you want use a punto alternator as i have with some slight mods 95 amps from 45 amps.. battery is never flat!