Funny electrical issues and alternator won't charge battery

[lknchris]

I have a '95 J30. Anyway, not important.

I was jumping my car about three weeks ago because it had a bad battery at night and couldn't really see the pos/neg terminal indicators on the other car. Long story short, I accidentally crossed the two cables going to the other car and when i set the neg cable to my j30, it sparked. Realized my mistake, switched the cables, and jumped the j30 and it started right up. Changed the alternator and battery and everything worked fine after that. But now when I start the car, none of the gauges, interior electrical functions, or brake lights come on. The headlights work though and the brights are always on. Miraculously, though, after driving for about 20 seconds, guages, brake lights, power steering, interior lights come on, etc. radio doesn't work never now. Also, some warning lights come on and flicker. e-brake, tail light warning, battery, etc.

Also, just recently the NEW alternator stopped charging the NEW battery. Had the alternator checked and it works properly. Can't figure this out. Can't use my car. Please help! Thanks.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I've done the backward jumpstart before. A little shocking when it sparks. Never had any permanent damage from it.

That said, I'd check your fuses, fusible links and relays. Reverse polarity might have killed one of them. Most modern cars have some kind of reverse polarity protection for important electronics, so that's probably what has failed.

[lknchris]

Thanks for the reply. I'll check the circuitry.

Right now my biggest issue is the alternator not charging the battery. I could live without the electronics. Didn't know if the two issues were related. Maybe bad wiring or connection from alternator to battery. Does anyone know if there's a relay or any circuitry between the battery and alternator? I know there's a 10 amp fuse. The fuse is good.

[sx moneypit]

Your car has a 100 amp fuse for the alternator feed wire located in the fuse box.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Yeah the alternator fuse is HUGE. Check that guy first. If not, you might have blown some diodes inside your alternator, and it will need to be replaced.

[lknchris]

Yep, it was the 100 amp fuse. Thanks to everyone that posted! Real easy fix for something that causes so many problems.

[sx moneypit]

Glad to hear you got it fixed!
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