Hello, I didn’t think that my first post ever would be such a big oops ! When picking up our 1969 Buick Skylark from storage, my son accidentally connected the battery in reverse. Immediately I saw smoke from the lower part of the engine and a burning smell. We corrected the terminals but now there is absolutely NOTHING . Could you please give us some guidance. I’m really hoping it’s not too bad. Thank you
Not sure, but the lower part of the engine is the starter, for sure. I would UNHOOK the battery and then pull the starter and see what burned. Hopefully not too much damage... Tell us which type of car and year too, just to be clear. Welcome too! Maybe there is a fusible link down there...
It apparently sizzled and smoked. I really hope you’re right, this car just keeps costing me. Do I need a mechanic to replace it ? I’ve done other wiring on the car.
No, you never need a mechanic, you can do it all yourself ;~) If you are working under the car, be aware that the starter is fairly heavy (20 poundish?) and not that easy to one hand into place (it was easier when I was younger/stronger) laying on your back. It's held up with two 9/16" headed bolts. Putting something under it like a stack of boards that can catch it usually is what I do, as you don't want to be yanking on the wires any more than necessary. Make sure the battery is disconnected first! It should be pretty clear what burned. replacing a fusible link is pretty standard wiring. It does seem a bit strange to me that it would burn as soon as connected, as you would think NOTHING is on at that point?
I’m totally new at this. We just took the cover off and dropped the battery in and the I heard him say s#%t and then the smell of burnt wire. We hadn’t gotten into the car because the door poppers had no power. Makes me wanna cry !! Thanks for your help !
You need a 14 AWG (black wire) and 16 AWG (brown wire). Fusible links. They crimp on. (just make sure you get good crimps, and if you can find heat shrink with glue, it will help weather protect the crimps) You can get them at most autopart stores. Black 14 AWG is to the wire that runs to the engine harness connector at the firewall. The brown 16 AWG goes to the wire to the voltage regulator. Factory links look like the round rubber items below. They will be about 6-8 inches from the terminals that connect to the starter. You might be able to tell if that is what smoked by feeling them, or if they or the wiring is melted. (Best picture I can find, I rebuilt my harnesses and put in new links, so they do not look like OEM, these in this image are what original look like)
Rectifier bridge in alternator provides a direct short. That white smoke is always looking to run away...
http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/starters-alternators-and-headlights-oh-my.356848/ The GM numbers were 6292294 (14ga) and 6292295 (16ga). Patrick
Do I need to remove my alternator to access and replace these ? I know I have proper crimps and heat shrink.
No. They are near the end of the wires that connect to the starter solenoid. If they went as intended, hopefully the alternator and regulator are OK.
Positive must have made contact with a metal portion of the car . Just connecting cables to the wrong terminals of the battery will not cause smoke . Positive must have made contact with Negative .
No Michael explained above. The alternator becomes a hard short when the current is connected backwards.
Have to disagree with you but it doesn't . If neither touches each other it is just a flow of electrons . Doesn't matter if its one way or the other . Had a car in the shop that just had a battery installed at a Goodyear store . It was installed with Positive as the ground . Car ran . Was like a mid 80's GM . And the complaint was it was overheating . Seems the Radiator fan was now turning in the wrong direction and blowing air out thru the grill instead of sucking air in thru the grill . I only caught it because I was smoking a cigarette in front of the car and when the fan kicked on it blew the smoke at me . I know some will say its impossible but I saw it in the flesh .
The door poppers were not my idea. The original owner installed them, wrong of course ! The first day I owned it the wiring melted in the doors. They were wired with 18 gauge wire, hence the re-wiring of most of the car. My wife is not very happy.
Believe what ever you like . And by the way its 6 diodes not A diode . The only way for there to be burnt wires or smoke is that Positive touched Negative or vice versa .
