94 J30 starts at 'ON' position without cranking. Help!Diagnose Reverse polarity.

[j30toronto]

Hi all. In an attempted to change a dead battery, I hooked up wrong battery and reversed polarity. I know this is very BAD. Ok .. so let me get to where I am at this point. I will try to include as much as I can.After the tragic incident. The car did not have any power inside at all.1) 100 A main Fuse was blown and replaced. Result - Interior and dashboard info lights came on. car kept starting as soon as the battery was connected. 2) Alternator was replaced along with starter. Put the key in 0-> off ->1 (radio)-> 2 -"ON" ->(3 crank) position. Car starts in ->2 "ON" position. The car runs and accelerates in 'Park' but also this high pitch sound like bad belt. when you turn the key off, the running motor slows and stops. I think it is the starting motor still running as if it is still cranking.3) My mechanic friend told me it probably was the ignition switch. Had a ignition switch changed from a running car, no change.

Need HELP!!!! with the next puzzle.

Here are some of my assumptions. Since the car was hooked up for about a minute until I realized it was reverse polarity. So I will assume the worst for damage. However, since the car is running, I believe the computer is ok and fuel system seems to be ok. The car widows and p-locks work ok.Since the 100A main fuse went, assumption is that most of the electrical parts are protected, except for the direct powered connections. The car did have remote-start ( but this has not worked for the last 6 months).

All of the relays have been changed from the donor car. All fuses checked and double checked.

Please help!! Lesson well learned and thanks for you input. This is a Canadian car with VIN # starting with JNKAY21D4.

[Q45tech]

Don't asume that the internal protection diodes in every electronic module were protective enough even though one or more of them worked well enough to blow the 100 amp fuse.

Remove aftermarket remote start!

[qsiguy]

I agree, first thing is to make sure the aftermarket remote start is completely disconnected since that system will potentially do exactly what you are reporting if it got fried. Just because it hasn't been working doesn't mean it's not hooked up and possibly causing some or all of the problem.

[j30toronto]

Thanks for the reply.I did not install the after market starter, need some help with that. That's why I haven't pulled it out yet. Is there a main wire that is common that I can disconnect.? where can I get wiring diagrams for J30 for me to trace the ignition wires.?

[j30toronto]

Found the diagrams for prostart canadian tire remote starter.. It's a lot of wires. I will attempt to get someone professional to undo it. Will keep posted on progress. thanks,

[qsiguy]

typically, there will be ignition wires connected to your ignition harness to duplicate what the key does. One wire to crank the starter. If you can determine that wire I would focus on that wire. You should also be able to fine the 1 or 2 primary power wires for it and disconnect them.

[j30toronto]

Thanks Guys.. Removed the remote starter completely. And taped up the wire harnesses. Now the car starts on Crank position. Which is great.. We resolved the initial "ON" position start. But the starter is still running while the car is running. The starter was rebuild from a 300z which was installed along with alternator after the mess. Any suggestions?

[Q451990]

I would locate the starter relay, then see If the coil contacts are getting voltage from the ignition switch. This will narrow your problem down to something in the circuit before the relay, or something after it. Might be the relay itself is stuck...

Glad to see that you're making some progress!

Heath

[j30toronto]

The relays and electrical tested fine. Starter is ok.. So I put the starter again to see what happens if we let it run for a few minutes. The starter actually stopped running after a few minutes. Few questions? Does the starter retracting mechanism go bad? Or more likely that the starter is not aligned properly with the fly wheel and it is sticking.

Is there a shimmy between the starter and the engine? I tried to move the starter a bit higher and bolted it. It seemed to reduce the amount of sticking time. presently there is no shimmy.. Its been a long ordeal. I learned a lot along with my brother. We were able to drive it around the block to see it works fine. The stereo was not affected.

Finally just the starter getting unstuck.your thoughts are much appreciated.j30torontodes

[Q451990]

Honestly, I don't personally know much about a starter. My understanding is that there's a solenoid that pushes the starter into the flywheel gears so that the starter gear can turn the flywheel. When you let off of the key, that solenoid is no longer energized and the gear pops back out of the way... and the starter motor stops turning. I have heard of them failing in a way that keeps them from disengaging. I guess it's fully possible that it's not aligned correctly too.

Didn't you mention that your starter is a used one off of a different type of car? If so, I would check to make sure that it it truely cross compatible.

Heath

[j30toronto]

Update: we determined it is the starter that may not be kicking back fast enough or that there is a very slight difference between the 300z starter and j30 starter. Canadian Alternators and starters at (176 bullock drive, toronto) was very nice and offered to rebuild the original starter. Their number for anyone interested - 905-201-8984. We will get it today and see if it will solve the sticking problem.Des.

[j30toronto]

Installed the original re-manufactured starter and the car runs great. No sticking anymore. I just want to thank all those who contributed in troubleshooting.

thanks,Des.. j30toronto.94 J302002 BMW 540i85 pontiac fiero

[Q451990]

Great news! Careful with the battery for now on

Heath