Battery problem, what did I mess up?

[mkory]

Okay, I tried starting my car while it was in gear (a friend left it that way... wasn't paying attention) and when the starter engauged the flywheel wouldn't allow it to turn. So, in order to start my car I needed the power of 2 batteries (like jumping it). At first I just thought that my battery was no good anymore, so I tried using the one from my mom's Ford Taurus. Little did I know that the terminals were on opposite sides.

I hooked up my ground wire to her positive, and when I touched my positive to her batteries negative terminal, it sparked. I immediately realized the problem, and turned the battery around hooking it up like I should. Now, ALL lights, gauges, and EVERYTHING that needs power isn't getting any. I did find one fuse under the hood that was blown, it was a 75 amp fuse at the top-middle of the underhood fuse box. (I can't remember what it was labeled as and can't check as the car is at my mechanics) This is the only one that I've found so far to be blown. Are there any other fuses or problems that could result from doing this? Anything I need to look out for?

The car is a 1995 240sx. Thanks!

[navysnail]

you may have discharged both batteries, that is why you never hook up the final connection to the battery, the final jump that you make should be the ground of the weak batery and should be grounded well away from the batery itself. check all fuses, and check the battery with a multi-meter

[mkory]

Huh? I'm not following you. My battery's fine, I got it tested after I thought that my battery was dead when my mom's battery worked (after I pugged it in the correct way). I put my mom's back into her car and it's good. Both batteries are fine. I've checked all the fuses I could. I still couldn't figure out how to get those big green ones out from the underhood box, nor do I know what the 4 big green ones by my left foot are for either.

[benemorius]

The bottom line is - if nothing at all is getting power, you probably still have blown fuses somewhere. I really can't imagine what would be affected by such an event, but hopefully it was nothing more than fuses.

[NISTECH]

The 75 amp fuse you blew is your "alt" fuse link. Did you replace it and recheck it? The "big green" things your talking about I believe are relays, dont worry about those.

[mkory]

The 75 amp fuse at the top of the underhood box was blown, most definately, I could tell that through the window at the top. I've checked autozone, autotech, and advance auto and none of them have it. I'm going to head to the nissan dealer first chance I get. I don't know where else to get this fuse. All the bus fuses under the hood are fine (there's only a couple of them) and the ones by the clutch pedal are fine too. You said that the big green ones are relays? Could these of fried? If so, how do I check them?

What are the 4 green boxes to the left of the in-car fusebox by the clutch pedal? I can see them when I go to check the fuses there, but they have no labels.

[NISTECH]

Replace the blown 75 amp fuse and your problmes should be resolved.

[mkory]

I'm crossing my fingers that replacing it fixes the problem. Dealers carry fuses, right? It's probably a stupid question, but I usually buy them at a local parts store. What sucks is that the nearest nissan dealer is 30+ miles away.

[NISTECH]

most dealers do carry them. You can also order it through one of our sponsor dealers. check out the right hand add coloum. Although you may not get it over night, but you could try and request them to fed ex it to ya.

[mkory]

I hope I can find it at my local chevy dealer. I'd like to go through a sponsor but I NEED this tomorrow. I'm definately going to go through a sponsor when I do my timing chain. Any recomendatinos for that project?

[NISTECH]

As for you fuse if you absolutly need it tomorrow try pepboys I have found they usually have a pretty large selection of oem style fuse links where others dont. When you do the chain thing make sure you get the set and replace your guides when you do it.

[mkory]

Unfortunately there isn't a pepboys near me either. Life in rural Indiana is teh suck. I'll just have to hope that chevy pulls through for me, if not them, I'll have to make that trip out to Stoops Nissan in Muncie. Is this fuse common? (not Nissan specific?)

As for the timing chain, I thought that the guides were unnecessary. What all should I look for in a kit? Chain, obviously, but what about replacing (gears/sprockets), tensioner, etc...?

[NISTECH]

The kit should come with the chain and sprockets, the guides and tensioner will be seperate. I think there are some aftermarket kits that come with more,but I suggest you buy OEM.

[mkory]

For the fuse today, I checked the local chevy dealership, they've never seen it. Called the nearest Nissan dealership (~30 minutes away) and they have to order it... It'll take three days.

Even worse. My mechanic called me today, said that the car turns over and starts just fine for him. Still no power to anything, (Fuse isn't installed) but he says that the rest of the car drawing power shouldn't be enough to keep the starter from getting sufficient power. Same battery, same starter, same everything.

What the eff is wrong with my car? Worst thing is that to find out I have to replace the fuse first.

[MaxPowers]

My brother did the same things with his 81 280zx, i duno if it will help, but now every single alternator we have put in the car has burned out. We first thought it was the alternator because the battery was'nt getting enought juice, but now we are at a loss. Anybody else have weird problems after they miss-attached the ground battery.

PS, all fusses are checked/replaced... this problem is weird

[NISTECH]

max replace the condensor on the altenator. and make sure the ground to the altenator is hooked up.

[NISTECH]

For the fuse today, I checked the local chevy dealership, they've never seen it. Called the nearest Nissan dealership (~30 minutes away) and they have to order it... It'll take three days.

Even worse. My mechanic called me today, said that the car turns over and starts just fine for him. Still no power to anything, (Fuse isn't installed) but he says that the rest of the car drawing power shouldn't be enough to keep the starter from getting sufficient power. Same battery, same starter, same everything.

What the eff is wrong with my car? Worst thing is that to find out I have to replace the fuse first.

Try one of our sponsors and see if they can overnight you the fuse.

[mkory]

They can, but for $30 shipping. I need it bad, but I don't think I need it that bad.

[Silvia2b]

Did you get the fuse yet? Toyota also has these style of fuses, but theirs don't have the little sping latch to hold it in place just the tension of the electrical conductors are supposed to hold it in. In a pinch you could call them and ask.

[mkory]

Okay, so starter didn't work, i blew a fuse trying to fix it, replaced the fuse, now everything works fine? I don't know what was broken, but all of the sudden it works now. I suppose I'll just drive it till something happens again.