dumbest thing I've ever...
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New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1
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dumbest thing I've ever...
done to a vehicle.
I accidently cross hooked up the battery ( about three seconds)on my '86 f-150 lariat. Something smoked in the area of the starter relay. Connected the the battery correctly and nothing, no lights NOTHING!
I am electrically challenged. I cant see any blown fusable links or any other obvious damage (fuses'wires etc) Any ideas or clues ?
thanks, bernier
I accidently cross hooked up the battery ( about three seconds)on my '86 f-150 lariat. Something smoked in the area of the starter relay. Connected the the battery correctly and nothing, no lights NOTHING!
I am electrically challenged. I cant see any blown fusable links or any other obvious damage (fuses'wires etc) Any ideas or clues ?
thanks, bernier
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 5
From: Parkesburg PA
I would get a wiring diagram and become friendly with a test light. You can get both at a good auto parts store. Look in the repair manual for the wireing diagram, if not, go to helm Inc. They make the shop manuals and such for garages and dealers. I got a wire diagram from them for my 83 F100.
Start from the batt and work your way out. If you're lucky, something blew and saved the rest of the system. I hope it's not an EFI truck.
Good luck with it.
Start from the batt and work your way out. If you're lucky, something blew and saved the rest of the system. I hope it's not an EFI truck.
Good luck with it.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Juneau, AK
*ahem*
i did the same thing a couple weeks ago, just was on cruise control and tired and wanting to get going and wasn't happy i had left my lights on. anyways, the wire just outside the fusible link near the starter relay smoldered until it broke. i figured the fusible links were supposed to go before the actual wire but at any rate - replacing the wire section fixed the problem. if you were seeing the smoke near the battery i'd bet thats real close to where the problem is, grab your continuity tester/test light and have fun and don't feel bad, its been done before and prolly didn't fry too much. other than that one wire my truck hasn't shown any ill-effects.
i did the same thing a couple weeks ago, just was on cruise control and tired and wanting to get going and wasn't happy i had left my lights on. anyways, the wire just outside the fusible link near the starter relay smoldered until it broke. i figured the fusible links were supposed to go before the actual wire but at any rate - replacing the wire section fixed the problem. if you were seeing the smoke near the battery i'd bet thats real close to where the problem is, grab your continuity tester/test light and have fun and don't feel bad, its been done before and prolly didn't fry too much. other than that one wire my truck hasn't shown any ill-effects.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 354
Likes: 1
From: Memphis, TN USA
Fusible links looks like two wire stuck together with a black eletrical tape. It is usually easy to visually find burned fusible links by pulling the wires on both ends of the fusible links and if they stretch like a rubber band then it is burned and needs replacement.
Next use your multimeter for continuity between the fusible links and other wires.
Next use your multimeter for continuity between the fusible links and other wires.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 5
From: Parkesburg PA
Just remember to use fuseable link wire to replace any that burned out. The insulation is designed not to catch fire (hopefully) when the wire burns out. Also I believe that you should use a fusable link wire that's 4 gauges smaller then the wire you are protecting. So if you have 16 gauge wire, use a 20 gauge fusable link. (Remember with wire gauge, the smaller the number, the bigger the wire)
