How did the jumper cables get reversed on my car?
The tow truck driver accidentally reversed the polarity by connecting positive to negative and negative to positive on my car’s battery. Within ten seconds white smoke starting wafting up from my battery and terminals this was prior to turning the ignition on in my car the tow truck engine was already running when the jumper cables were hooked up.
Can a car be damaged by reverse polarity?
For example, the Check Engine, Air Bag, and Anti-Lock Brake lights should all turn on for roughly six seconds, then they must turn off and stay off. It is very unlikely circuitry associated with those computers would be damaged by reverse polarity, but that is part of what those computers test each time you turn on the ignition switch.
Can a battery be out of balance and reverse polarity?
Yes, it can happen. If the battery cells are out of balance, some cells will discharge before the others. As it continues to discharge, they will start to reverse polarity.
Why does reverse polarity cause a fuse to blow?
Reverse polarity puts the diodes in the circuit so they are turned on and act like a short circuit. That is a temporary condition that is designed to cause the appropriate fuse to blow, thereby protecting the rest of the circuitry. Normally the only needed repair is to replace the multiple blown fuses.
For example, the Check Engine, Air Bag, and Anti-Lock Brake lights should all turn on for roughly six seconds, then they must turn off and stay off. It is very unlikely circuitry associated with those computers would be damaged by reverse polarity, but that is part of what those computers test each time you turn on the ignition switch.
What happens when you reverse the polarity of a jumper cable?
When you reverse the polarity of the jumper cables, you create a drastic increase in the amount of electrical current that runs through them. As a result, the cables may melt or even catch fire.
Where does the red jumper cable go on a car?
The other end of the red cable connects to the positive terminal of the good battery. One end of the black (negative) jumper cable connects to the negative battery terminal of the good battery. The other end of the black jumper cable connects to a good ground on the vehicle that won’t start.
Reverse polarity puts the diodes in the circuit so they are turned on and act like a short circuit. That is a temporary condition that is designed to cause the appropriate fuse to blow, thereby protecting the rest of the circuitry. Normally the only needed repair is to replace the multiple blown fuses.
The tow truck driver accidentally reversed the polarity by connecting positive to negative and negative to positive on my car’s battery. Within ten seconds white smoke starting wafting up from my battery and terminals this was prior to turning the ignition on in my car the tow truck engine was already running when the jumper cables were hooked up.
Why does my car not start when I switch jumper cables?
When jumping off the cable got reversed causing the battery to spark and the cables to get hot. I purchased a new battery, but the car will not start. A number of things may have occurred when the jumper cables were reversed. The battery cables themselves may be fried and require replacement in order to start the vehicle.
What should I do if my jumper cable is short?
Normally the only needed repair is to replace the multiple blown fuses. When you have a fuse that blows repeatedly, something has become totally shorted. Given the history, we can assume the short is not due to a bare wire or other things associated with age or mileage.
What did the tow truck driver do with the jumper cables?
As soon as the tow truck driver noticed the smoke coming from my battery he immediately switched the jumper cables to the proper polarity. Then I started my car and it started right up, but the radio was no longer working and neither was the dome light.