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Installed battery backwards
Sent to Car Experts August 31 10:32 AM

I installed the car battery backwards (2003 Mazda Protege). Though the problem was fixed by changing a fuse and a terminal in the main fuse box, I am concerned that this may have cuased other programs (i.e. computer, alternator, odometer, etc). Is there an idiot proof devise in cars to prevent serious damage to your car from something like this? Should I check anything else? The car seems to work ok.

 

Optional Information:
2003 Mazda Protege 2000

Already Tried:
Its been fixed by changing the neg terminal in main fuse box. Is this the end to my problems?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $9
Answer
August 31 10:36 AM (4 minutes and 21 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Hi. Yes there are idiot guards to prevent damage to the electrical system, however they are not full proof. Luckily they do protect fairly well from reversing the polarity on the battery(putting it in backwards). another tip that you need to know is always unhook the negative cable first and always hook the negative cable last. Breaking contact causes voltage spike that can damage the computer and by doing it this way you ensure that the spike goes to ground not the computer. If I was helpfull click accept. thanks
By the way the idiot guards are fuses and fusible links so if anything else isn't working then check the fuses under the hood first.


Edited by cj123 on August 31 2006 at 10:38 AM
C.J. -- Auto Service Technician -- 96% Positive Feedback on 58 Car Accepts
ASE master certified, L1 certified, WA state emmissions, 19 years experience, foreign and domestic!
Reply
August 31 11:38 AM (1 hour and 1 minute and 43 seconds later)
         
Reply to C.J.'s Post: CJ,

I understand your response. However, my understanding is that fuses usually respond to high current (surge protection) and not necesseraly to reverse polarity. What are fusible links? Is this what happened with my neg. terminal? So then, in theory, since the idiot proof divises reacted (burned fuses), I should not be worry that I seriously messed up anything else (other than fuses)?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 31 12:11 PM (32 minutes and 46 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Fuses blow because too much current tries toi flow through a little electrical path. When a power source is connected backwards in a dc current flow it is just like giving it an instant short. No you should not be worried that you messed up anything else. Fusible links are sections of special wire designed to burn in two if too much current passes through them. Mazda is a well made product and I really don't think you have anything to worry about. If this was helpful click accept. thanks.;
C.J. -- Auto Service Technician -- 96% Positive Feedback on 58 Car Accepts
ASE master certified, L1 certified, WA state emmissions, 19 years experience, foreign and domestic!
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