bad battery installation

Nov 26, 2003 3 Replies

My son inadvertantly installed a new battery in our project - 1982 BMW



528e - backwards. In this reversed polarity situation, he tried several times to start the car. When I got home from work, I discovered the error, removed and reinstalled the battery. Much to my surprise, the car started and ran until I turned the ignition off. Unfortunately, the battery charging light came on (probably was on before I started the car and I didn't notice...). I pulled all the fuses one by one; no change. I disconnected the negative, disconnected the alternator, reconnected the battery and no light. So the question is: rebuilt alternator or change the diodes (how hard is this?)? Thanks, Mark

That usually pops a fuse link or two.

The alternator is protected by a fuse link and they almost always blow out when the battery is hooked wrong.

The fuse links are a fat soft wire about 8" long with a big rubber crimp on one end and a loop for a bolt on the other. They are usually near the starter solenoid or the power distribution box and are usually at the end of the main positive battery cable.

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

mark wrote:

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