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1997 tacoma hooked up battery wrong

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Carguy91, Aug 24, 2017.

?

What do I do

Poll closed Sep 3, 2017.
  1. Hooked up battery backwards

    50.0%
  2. Need help!!!

    100.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. Aug 24, 2017 at 8:38 AM
    #1
    Carguy91

    Carguy91 [OP] Member

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    I have a 1997 tacoma. I hooked up my battery backwards I need help!!!! It blew the fusible link I changed that and it started to turn over but will not start. I checked every other fuse and found none blown. Next I did a spark test and got nothing so i changed igniter and coil packs still nothing... checked fuel pump and I'm not getting any fuel so I checked the relay for fuel pump behind the dash and it's fine next I put a little gas in the breather and tried to crank it still nothing what could be wrong tell me it's not the ecm!!!
     
  2. Aug 24, 2017 at 8:42 AM
    #2
    opteron

    opteron Well-Known Member

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    Not a Tacoma, but my brother did the same thing on infiniti g20 years and back. It needed a new computer, engine harness, countless fuses. He ended up selling on the cheap. Because a electrical Gremlins was always coming up.

    Good luck
     
  3. Aug 24, 2017 at 8:44 AM
    #3
    Carguy91

    Carguy91 [OP] Member

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    Ughhh it's something I've done s million times and I just was not paying attention doesn't help that the battery I was changing had opposite polarity sides cause the post were to one side and not the middle. And my cables on truck are both black
     
  4. Aug 24, 2017 at 8:51 AM
    #4
    onakat

    onakat Well-Known Member

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    it's very likely you may have fried something :(

    Could be the computer, the wiring, the fuel pump itself, the fuses (though you say they aren't blown. but check them with a meter, as sometimes they are blown without looking like they are)

    my friend did fry his starter solenoid and his alternator when he did this, so check these as well
     
  5. Aug 24, 2017 at 8:52 AM
    #5
    Carguy91

    Carguy91 [OP] Member

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    I just need good news:( lol I do not want to take to the dealership for diagnosis because it will cost a small fortune
     
  6. Aug 24, 2017 at 8:54 AM
    #6
    Carguy91

    Carguy91 [OP] Member

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    Is there a fuse on the ecm?
     
  7. Aug 24, 2017 at 8:55 AM
    #7
    Carguy91

    Carguy91 [OP] Member

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    To keep it from frying
     
  8. Aug 24, 2017 at 8:58 AM
    #8
    onakat

    onakat Well-Known Member

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    yes, it is in the fuse box, under the hood
     
  9. Aug 24, 2017 at 8:58 AM
    #9
    muddog67

    muddog67 Well-Known Member

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    Don't beat yourself up Michael, unfortunately we all have made a grave mistake at one time or another, we are only human. I hope it will be an inexpensive fix for you
     
    scottalot and jammer like this.
  10. Aug 24, 2017 at 8:58 AM
    #10
    wdb

    wdb intolerance intolerant

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    A fuse protects against too much current, not reversed polarity. I suspect you will need a full scan by a dealer-level tool to give you a full picture of the damage.
     
  11. Aug 24, 2017 at 8:59 AM
    #11
    js312

    js312 Well-Known Member

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    Fuses won't help you with reverse polarity.

    You may or may not have done a lot of damage, but you'll have to go through it to see the extent of what got fried.
     
  12. Aug 24, 2017 at 8:59 AM
    #12
    anthony250f

    anthony250f Well-Known Member

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    It's probably one of those box fuses under the good. I had a similar issue and it was the square pink fuse under the hood. Took days to find
     
  13. Aug 24, 2017 at 9:00 AM
    #13
    Carguy91

    Carguy91 [OP] Member

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    Onakat I checked that one as well all of my relays can have the tops taken off and I did that to all of them to make sure they were not blown I hooked it up to my diagnostic tool "computer and it is throwing no codes
     
  14. Aug 24, 2017 at 9:01 AM
    #14
    Carguy91

    Carguy91 [OP] Member

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    I changed the fusible link better known as alternator fuse it's 80 amp it wouldn't even turn over before I changed that
     
  15. Aug 24, 2017 at 9:03 AM
    #15
    Carguy91

    Carguy91 [OP] Member

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    They should fuses c ant handle reversed current that's why the alternator fuse blew....
     
  16. Aug 24, 2017 at 9:38 AM
    #16
    Carguy91

    Carguy91 [OP] Member

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    On more question guys if I found a new computer same engine same make and model does it still ha e to be programmed.??
     
  17. Aug 24, 2017 at 10:10 AM
    #17
    Wulf

    Wulf no brain just damage

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    It shouldn't need to be.
     
  18. Aug 24, 2017 at 10:28 AM
    #18
    js312

    js312 Well-Known Member

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    Yes they can. It's only high current they protect against. It didn't blow as a direct result of reversed polarity. However, a diode can cause a high-current scenario and blow a fuse if the flow of current through the diode is reversed.

    I don't have enough electrical knowledge to go into great detail, but if you research it you can find out exactly what happens.

    If fuses blew due to reversed polarity, you'd never destroy anything other than a fuse when you reversed polarity.
     
    Carguy91[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  19. Aug 24, 2017 at 10:40 AM
    #19
    RysiuM

    RysiuM Well-Known Member

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    Alternator fuse was blown because with reverse polarity rectifier "works backwards" allowing the current flow back from the battery to ground through quite thick wires. That is pretty much short for more than 80A.

    All other devices are not doing it. Pretty much any electric piece in the car that has semiconductor inside can be damaged by reverse polarity. I don't say "will be damaged" but can. Now the good thing is that usually when piece of electronic is fired, it is fried for good and does not work at all. So if there is a sign of some electronic piece working, 90% chance it is not damaged at all. ECM might be a bit different as it contains multiple separate circuits and it is possible that just particular circuits can be fried. Again, not "are" but can be (positive thinking).

    Unfortunately there is no universal rule what can be broken by connecting battery in reverse (besides alternator fuse). You have to check all elements one by one. Can be expensive. And because everything is controlled by ECM (spark and fuel) at least checking the system with good ECM might be a good starting point. But first eliminate obvious problems like burned fuses, wires, connectors and non-functional sensors.
     
    Carguy91[OP] and scottalot like this.
  20. Aug 24, 2017 at 10:48 AM
    #20
    js312

    js312 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for elaborating on it. It all sounds familiar now. All that was explained to me a long time ago by someone with much more electrical knowledge than I have, but I've forgotten most of it.
     

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