Battery connected wrong way :-(

ILW

Have you tried starting it yet?

[Deleted User]

Just had a thought. I'd taken the battery out to try and use it to jump start my merc a class....

Couldnt get it working. Pretty sure I didnt jump lead up the wrong way but it didnt work.

Then again, AA have been. Started the car. Did a reset of the lights on the dash (as you always have to do). Car running OK, no warning lights so I guess ECU is OK on this? (it does have one).

Yes, I am having a bad day! (Mrs in hospital, running back and fore between work, school, hospital) :-(

anotherbaldrick

Most probably blown the diodes in the alternator. Maybe not now charging the battery ( although no warning lights on dash display). Car will be running till battery goes flat . Get alternator charge checked by Auto Electrician . Had this myself for much the same reason expired half way up M1

System

have you got air-con?
I remember reading about the jap specs, apparently the engine bay is more crammed than the standard one! can't imagine that!!!

wouldn't have thought a mini battery had the juice to start a merc if it wasn't connected to a running car at the time

also, apparently the jap spec was only spi, that's what I had in my last one

[Deleted User]

ILW wrote: »

Have you tried starting it yet?

Nah. Im in work now and its sat at home. Will try later I guess.

[Deleted User]

the_r_sole wrote: »

have you got air-con?
I remember reading about the jap specs, apparently the engine bay is more crammed than the standard one! can't imagine that!!!

Yes. Its got AC. And theres not much footspace in the front passenger side either!

[Deleted User]

anotherbaldrick wrote: »

Most probably blown the diodes in the alternator. Maybe not now charging the battery ( although no warning lights on dash display). Car will be running till battery goes flat . Get alternator charge checked by Auto Electrician . Had this myself for much the same reason expired half way up M1

Yeh. I guess. Could be worse I suppose :-(

Cost of new alternator for mini? Parts usually not too bad for a mini.

Luckily, its our spare car so got time to fix it.

System

Not sure about the alternator, usually about 80 quid to buy outright iirc but yours might be a bit different to the standard with the ac etc...

anotherbaldrick

[quote=[Deleted User];61142913]Yeh. I guess. Could be worse I suppose :-(

Cost of new alternator for mini? Parts usually not too bad for a mini.

Luckily, its our spare car so got time to fix it.[/QUOTE]

If it is the diodes (I think there are 3) they can be replaced although with the cost of taking the alternator apart it may be better to buy a recon unit.

facade

There are usually large value fuses near the battery that may blow. (Wishful thinking)

You did well to connect it backwards, the round battery terminals are different sizes to prevent this, the Ford type ring terminals are a problem, but normally the leads are obviously pulled too far.

Usually the alternator fails, and the fuse to the ecu.
Quite common that a jump battery is connected with reverse polarity, as these new fangled cars tend to use black as the positive lead!