Hooked up battery backwards

sjmdutch · 11-05-2009, 06:31 PM

SOrry...I just registered, so I'm not sure if this will go in the right place or not.

I bought a '71 F350 today...360, 4 speed. I tried to switch out the battery in the dark and hooked it up backwards. It made quite a spark. What kind of damage can I expect to find in the morning?

Thanks in advance.

bradrhale · 11-05-2009, 06:38 PM

you did just find for the new guy.
probably nothing if there was nothing on in the truck. it is a possibility that the other battery or both could be injured, for lack of better terms, but you should be alright.

BernieB · 11-05-2009, 08:18 PM

Might have fried the diodes in the alternator, but other than that I can't think of anything you could really hurt in '71 with reverse polarity.

leolkfrm · 11-06-2009, 05:53 AM

if there are any extras hooked direct to the battery, they might be affected. if something does not work check the fuses first, as they help protect the system

silverhairdeere · 11-06-2009, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leolkfrm

if there are any extras hooked direct to the battery, they might be affected. if something does not work check the fuses first, as they help protect the system

or the fuseable links if your truck uses them .

shd

gmctrucks · 11-06-2009, 06:29 AM

Your alternator might go out sooner.

hotrodpc · 11-06-2009, 07:34 AM

Isn't that one of the prettiest spark shows you've ever seen???? Gotta love them FORDS, putting the battery posts on the wrong side. Even dumber than Wrong wheel drive vehicles. At least they got wise and that problem is fixed now. I've had it happen before too, when a guy gave me a battery, and it happen to be an F battery that I was putting in Chev. Not even looking since it was dark as you mention. No damage at all when it happen to me. I'm with SHD though, I'd think fuses and fusible links may be blown at worst, or as mentioned maybe the Alternator is damaged. More than likley going to be OK though.

sjmdutch · 11-06-2009, 09:46 AM

Guys, I've replaced the solenoid...can't find any burnt fuses or melted wires. I have no lights, no "click"...nada.

????

leolkfrm · 11-06-2009, 10:12 AM

check the power feed to the firewall terminal

silverhairdeere · 11-06-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjmdutch

Guys, I've replaced the solenoid...can't find any burnt fuses or melted wires. I have no lights, no "click"...nada.

????

did you do the test i told you about , and how do you know the replacement is good .

also , on my ford , once the starter locked in place , and it was the same thing , no click , no nothing .

shd

11-05-2009, 06:31 PM	#1
sjmdutch Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 2	Hooked up battery backwards SOrry...I just registered, so I'm not sure if this will go in the right place or not. I bought a '71 F350 today...360, 4 speed. I tried to switch out the battery in the dark and hooked it up backwards. It made quite a spark. What kind of damage can I expect to find in the morning? Thanks in advance.

11-05-2009, 08:18 PM	#3
BernieB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,902	Might have fried the diodes in the alternator, but other than that I can't think of anything you could really hurt in '71 with reverse polarity. __________________ If the guys who design 'em had to take one home, use it every day for 2 years, and do all the maint and repairs themselves, cars would have a button on the dash to change the oil, filters & plugs.

11-06-2009, 05:53 AM	#4
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,300	if there are any extras hooked direct to the battery, they might be affected. if something does not work check the fuses first, as they help protect the system __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

11-06-2009, 07:34 AM	#7
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,149	Isn't that one of the prettiest spark shows you've ever seen???? Gotta love them FORDS, putting the battery posts on the wrong side. Even dumber than Wrong wheel drive vehicles. At least they got wise and that problem is fixed now. I've had it happen before too, when a guy gave me a battery, and it happen to be an F battery that I was putting in Chev. Not even looking since it was dark as you mention. No damage at all when it happen to me. I'm with SHD though, I'd think fuses and fusible links may be blown at worst, or as mentioned maybe the Alternator is damaged. More than likley going to be OK though. __________________ *Winners NEVER Quit , Quitters NEVER Win !!!*

11-06-2009, 10:12 AM	#9
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,300	check the power feed to the firewall terminal __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

11-05-2009, 06:38 PM	#2
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,025	you did just find for the new guy. probably nothing if there was nothing on in the truck. it is a possibility that the other battery or both could be injured, for lack of better terms, but you should be alright.

11-06-2009, 06:29 AM	#6
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 4,033	Your alternator might go out sooner.

11-06-2009, 09:46 AM	#8
sjmdutch Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 2	Guys, I've replaced the solenoid...can't find any burnt fuses or melted wires. I have no lights, no "click"...nada. ????

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