Hello, new to the car forum scene, but I am having a serious problem. My car (Mistubishi Lancer OZ Rally 2002) was sitting all winter because I don’t have a heater. I couldn’t even jump the car to start it and then had my battery tested to confirm it was no good. I went and bought a new battery and…

You will need to start at the fusible links near the battery. Some, if not all are burnt out. From there move to the fuse box and replace all burnt fuses and then attempt to start the engine. If by some miracle it starts congratulations. If not, post back for continued advice. If you are out shoppin…

Are you sure the battery was actually in backwards? I think it’s unlikely the alarm would go off or anything electronic would work at all if the battery was connected backwards. I’m sorry to mention it but a pet peeve of mine is when someone asks if there’s a “short” in something electrical. To m…

Did you notice any smoke or burned wiring while the battery was connected backwards?

I doubt you could put the battery in backwards if you tried. The positive and negative terminals are different diameters, right?

Top post or side post battery? Cables are usually so stiff there is no way you can twist them to make connections wrong? But people are stubborn so tugging on cables usually works eventually.

@mleich The terminals are different sizes, but it’s possible that the clamps are sized so that either one can go on either post. I actually did this once the last time I moved. I was tired from moving all day, and the MR2 needed a new battery so I could move it. I didn’t notice that the new battery…

With my side-post battery, thankfully the cables aren’t long enough to reach the opposite sides.

Yea, the clamps are the same size so it was hooked up backwards. Thanks everybody for the immediate help, it is much appreciated. I got lucky enough that it was just a blown fuse. I replaced it and it started up without a problem. I do have some questions about air conditioning and heating as well, …

Also, I am almost positive the backwards battery did do some damage to the wires. There is a clicking sound that sounds like my turn signal that will come and go randomly. Also, my battery and brake light will slowly turn on, shut off, then slowly turn on again. Would this be the wires?

Car Battery put in Backwards

Maintenance/Repairs

shadowfax April 3, 2013, 7:55am 4

The alarm probably didn’t go off - the horn blew and the lights turned on, which coincidentally is what happens when the alarm goes off. That’s normal.

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Car Battery put in Backwards

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