<VV> Need advice - battery hooked up backwards; what damage likely took place?

[jvhroberts at aol.com]

 With an EM, probably not much damage. With an LM, you may have fried the diodes in the alternator. 
The starter should be fine, but you may have blown a fusible link somewhere. Try jumping, at the starter, the batt terminal to the purple solenoid lead. If it cranks, the problem is elsewhere. 
Also, make sure the radio is OK. 

 

John Roberts
 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Kinzelman, Andy <akinzelm at greatnortherncorp.com>
To: virtualvairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Fri, Aug 16, 2013 10:08 am
Subject: <VV> Need advice - battery hooked up backwards; what damage likely took place?


Guys,
A club member bought a new battery - and mistakenly hooked it up reverse 
polarity.  He said it was obviously wrong (sparking like mad) - I don't think he 
got to the point of trying to start it yet.  After correcting the error he has 
lights, horn, etc. but the starter won't engage.
My guess is he likely damaged the alternator and/or regulator - anybody know?
What about the starter - if he didn't try engaging it I doubt he damaged it - 
again looking for expert advice.
Anything else likely damaged?
Thanks,
Andy K
Wisconsin
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