Battery hooked up backwards what damage did it do

[Russ]

Battery was hooked up in reverse +to- – to +

[Russ]

Red wire to negative terminal black wire to positive terminal. The red wire melted from the negative terminal to the alternator then from the alternator to the voltage gage

[Russ]

I bought the car this way trying to get it running again changed melted wire hook the battery back up correctly nothing can you get a new battery and get the alternator checked what else could be wrong any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

[billnparts]

I assume you disconnected everything. Remove the battery. It’s probably fried, but check it anyway. Any number of other things could also be ruined. Remove the alternator and have it tested also. You might luck out but don’t count on it. There should be a fusible link installed in this circuit and from your description was not. Remove and replace all suspect wiring and check all the remaining wiring for continuity just to be sure it’s ok. You can find wiring diagrams in the reference library on the left here. You’ve got a mess on your hands but you are lucky it didn’t go up in flames. 

Good Luck.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[KentT]

If you’re running an electronic distributor or a points replacement module, it is likely fried.

Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...

[Russ]

Thanks for the info change the alternator change the coil pack changed all the fried wiring I did find a fusible link by the starter changed it still won’t start turns over but won’t start I’m going to try to change the module in distributor next cuz I’m still not getting spark also swapped out the battery it tested like it was good but I got a new one just to play it safe

[edward ericson]

Module will do it. That was the first thing that got killed. You could also go back to points and condensor, at least for testing. It is the old car person’s tradition, after swapping in the Pertronix, to keep the points kit in the car’s on-board spare parts bin–“just in case.” 

Sometimes they do come in handy.

[John Simion]

There is one thing RJL is forgetting. Punctuation. LOL

[billnparts]

I’m thinking of a small trailer for my “car’s on-board spare parts bin”. Not a lot of room with a front engine for much else.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[edward ericson]

I thought your parts bin was Dave’s Sharpie mobile.

[billnparts]

Can’t always bring him with.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[Royal]

Bill, sounds like you forgot to hook up the safety chains. 

[Author]

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