im very stupid

[03blackmerc]

this is actually a mustang related question. you guys have been real helpful in the past with any ford questions ive asked. my mustang forums are filled with kids who dont know much so i figured its worth a shot on here. i bought a new battery for my 89 GT today. long story short i hooked up the terminals ass backwards. (did i mention im an idiot?) only for a second i got a quick spark out of what looks like the ground wire thats connected to the car by the battery. the car turns over and runs but is not gettin a charge now. i had a warrenty on the alternator so i took it back and got a replacement. with the new alternator hooked up, still no charge. PLease help a mentaly challenged person out? Thanks

[Pops]

You may burned up a fusible link. Its also possible that the ECM is shorted out after this.

[fastblackmerc]

You may burned up a fusible link. Its also possible that the ECM is shorted out after this.

+1....

Check the fusible links first.

[03blackmerc]

if the ECM was damaged wouldnt the car not run at all? i dont think the computer controls the alternator on this car but then again im not sure. i was told by a few people to check the fuseable links. im crossing my fingers

[Blk Mamba]

The ECM does control the alternator, it sends an exciter voltage to the to the alternator.

[4drcbra]

Links first, then ECM. if it fails put 347 stroker in it. That fixes anything

[martyo]

Look at the fusible links near the starter relay first. It is on the fender well. They will be either black and yellow or black and orange (you can tell what they are because they are thick with black insulators).

I don't think you got the ECM if the car cranks and runs -- looks like you dodged a bullet there.

[martyo]

put 347 stroker in it. That fixes anything

This is true!

[ctrlraven]

This is true!
331 twin turbo is even better.

[Dragcity]

If your'e dreaming, might as well go for a 427 side oiler with dual quads and overhead cams and skip all the piping.

[WI Fordguy]

+1 on the fusible links. On that car it's possible that the alternator itself was shorted out, seen that a few times at work.

[4play]

i did the same thing to my 87 cherokee, fried the wire from the battery to the starter.

[03blackmerc]

just took a quick look today for the fusibile links only found one of them off the solinoid. i couldnt get too far due to a snow storm today and unfoutunatly no garage. i also fried the radio but nothing else seems damaged. man im an idiot.

[massacre]

.............................. ...........

[03blackmerc]

+1 on the fusible links. On that car it's possible that the alternator itself was shorted out, seen that a few times at work.

i put a new alternator in it yesterday after the incident. i took the old one to Advanced auto they tested it and said it was junk. the old one was only four months old to begin with so i got a replacment for free, but unfortuantly still no voltage. it is only making 11.8v running

[massacre]

Have you tried a new battery(just to rule that out)?

[03blackmerc]

true, i never tried changing the battery. it turns the car over fine but maybe i fudged something up in it.

[massacre]

Do you have a voltmeter?

[Blackened300a]

I went through 3 alternators from NAPA til I got one that works. I'm never 100% sure of aftermarket alternators and starters.

[thathotrodlincn]

Diode bank in alternator?

[Blk Mamba]

Diode bank in the alternator is part of the voltage regulator.

[03blackmerc]

The alternator and and voltage regulator are one unit and i already bought a brand new one after i fried it. i also had them test it as soon as they took it out of the box and it was fine.

[4play]

with engine running put volt meter on battery.

[fastblackmerc]

Have you tried a new battery(just to rule that out)?


true, i never tried changing the battery. it turns the car over fine but maybe i fudged something up in it.

If the battery can turn over the starter there is nothing wrong with it..... :shake:

[03blackmerc]

with the car running volt meter reads 11.8 - 11.9. i know its suppose to make at least 14v. i also checked the wire diagram, and there is two fusable links that are before the alternator. i just cant seem to locate them.

[fastblackmerc]

with the car running volt meter reads 11.8 - 11.9. i know its suppose to make at least 14v. i also checked the wire diagram, and there is two fusable links that are before the alternator. i just cant seem to locate them.

See if you can test the output of the alternator. If it's 14+v then it's OK and one or both of the fusible links are bad

[03blackmerc]

Finially fixed it! i tested all the fusible links and found that they all had power on either side. so i traced the wire back from the alternator and under the battery box the power wire for the alternator was fused right to the car. i replaced the intire section of wire from the solnoid with a new fusable link and wire. now making 14v again while running. i also pulled out my radio, the fuse in the back was blown i replaced that and thats working again as well. looks like i lucked out this time.

[martyo]

Finially fixed it! i tested all the fusible links and found that they all had power on either side. so i traced the wire back from the alternator and under the battery box the power wire for the alternator was fused right to the car. i replaced the intire section of wire from the solnoid with a new fusable link and wire. now making 14v again while running. i also pulled out my radio, the fuse in the back was blown i replaced that and thats working again as well. looks like i lucked out this time.

Good news!!!

[2,4shofast]

That is really good news, wiring is always a PITA to figure out. Glad you figured it out.

[prchrman]

Finially fixed it! i tested all the fusible links and found that they all had power on either side. so i traced the wire back from the alternator and under the battery box the power wire for the alternator was fused right to the car. i replaced the intire section of wire from the solnoid with a new fusable link and wire. now making 14v again while running. i also pulled out my radio, the fuse in the back was blown i replaced that and thats working again as well. looks like i lucked out this time.


Bet you feel smarter now after finding all that :)

[RacerX]

You lucked out BIG! You're lucky as hell you didn't toast every damn electronic component! Looks like Napa will be returning all the alternators you blew! :P

[03blackmerc]

Ha Ha it was advanced auto, and 2 alternators later.