I just changed the battery in my 7, and I didn't make a mental note as to which cable is the positive and which is the negative before I took out the old battery. Guess what? I found out what a seriously pissed off fusible link looks like when it goes Chernobyl! On the up side, the link did what it was supposed to do. On the down side, I now have to go get a new link. I think I will pick up a couple of color coded terminal guards for future reference. The moral of the story, never assume, unless you like the taste of humble pie! I'm an electrician and I should have known better. In my defence, the car has been in storage for the past year so I was a little over eager to bring it back to life!

 

I'm an electrician and I should have known better

that's funny!

You should be able to look at where the cable goes to know which is which,

Welcome back??

 

My cables are both black, but my ground cable has a yellow stripe. I thought it was stock, is it?

 

"my ground cable has a yellow stripe. I thought it was stock, is it?"

Yep, upon closer inspection, the negative side does have a yellow stripe. At this point I've decided two things,

A: To never, EVER tell my coworkers about this, and

B: I'm going to replace the fusible link box with either an accessory fuse box from a wreck or a car stereo buse block set.

 

I've done this too and have seen similar threads since.

To get you going quickly, pull out both ends of the burnt out fusible link and strip the insulation off then twist the exposed wires together and plug it back in.

Happy motoring.

 

Even if they are both black and the yellow stripe has worn off or is covered in groad, It's always a good check to see that ground is attached to the body and positive leads to the starter and the fuse box...

 

Yea, I did that once to. But it was 11 at night and I didn't have a flashlight.

 

hehe you know whats funny that is exactly why I have a big red positive and a clear ground so that way I never ever get them mixed up.

 

Yeah, I did it too, Ill admit it. It was when I was VERY first getting my 83 running. Luckily I had a parts car 15 yards from me so I could go get another one. My problem was I took one battery out and put another in, but the terminals were opposite on the battery so when I set the second battery in the same way, the cables wouldnt reach so I rotated it. Then I just hooked up the wires without thinking. Dumb, lol.

BTW - I swapped my fuseable link block out with a car stereo distribution block, its on my Car Domain page if you wanna check it out. Page 20. www.cardomain.com/id/rotormotordriver

 

Well we all make mistakes. Live and learn. Be sure now to check your alternator as the reverse current may have fried the diodes.

 

i have a red cable and a black cable..... and red and black terminal covers.... and red and green felty things on the battery.... if i mess up, i should be shot.

 

[QUOTE=RotaryBo]


never, EVER tell my coworkers about this...

Good idea, especially since you're an electrician. Kinda like a goalie letting in a slap shot from center ice while picking his nose. I thing we all have committed gaffes like this at one time or another that we'd like to have back.

For what it's worth, the + cable clamp goes onto the larger diameter + post, so it will be spread out to a larger diameter than the negative clamp. It will also have an additional lead (besides the main cable to the battery) attached to the clamp. I'm sure you're aware of this, but I'm posting it anyway for the benefit of any newbies who may be watching this particular train wreck.

 

Time to redo your wires and add a 2nd gen fuse panel.

 

I'm glad you spoke up as I've been trying to find your setup again haha. Well heres a place that sells that stuff. What fuses did you use bro?

http://www.darvex.com/miva/merchant....egory_Code=FDB

 

Remember, that stuff is not ment to be run outside of the car. It is not weather proof. So just be forwarned. Just replace it with a 2nd gen or other automotive fuse block to be safe.

 

Not to be a dick, but how "waterproof" do you think that POS is that comes on are cars? I bet if I droll on that wrong, it'll mess up.

 

I've put the battery on wrong, but i can one-up the rest of you. I managed to set my engine bay on fire trying to unflood the 12a...

 

Well "dick" they are ment to be outside and in the weather. Car stereo stuff is not! Enough said.