Electrical problem after hooking up battery in reverse

[EdCrono]

Hi. I accidentally put my '84 van's battery cables in the wrong poles, :pissed: both of them. Now it does not start, no ele trical life whatsoever. All fuses in the fuse box are good. Can anybody give me some diagnostics? Would greatly apreciate it :thmbup:

[timsrv]

Check your fusible links (http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?136-The-fusible-link-thread).

[EdCrono]

Ok, thanks!


Check your fusible links (http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?136-The-fusible-link-thread).

[EdCrono]

Check your fusible links (http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?136-The-fusible-link-thread).:dance2: Hey Tim! Just got done! My AM1 fusible link was blown. Replaced it and my van fired up like a champ!:roflmao: You guys are awesome! Thanks again! :thmbup:

[EdCrono]

Where exactly is the FL0.5G fusable link located at? Is it the one attached right next to the positive pole in the battery or is it the FL 2.0L fusible link that is attached to the positive pole of the battery?

Thanks :?:

[timsrv]

I just noticed your profile states your van is an 84. From what I understand 84-85 vans don't have the FL 1.25B links (I frequently forget that as I don't own any 84-85 vans). The FL 0.5G link should be the yellow plastic thing attached to the battery positive terminal with the small wire. Of course your van is almost 30 years old, so who knows what may have happened to it over the years. some people cut them off and stick the wire to the battery terminal and all other sorts of things can happen. The FL 2.0L Is the 1st 6" or so of your positive battery cable. This one carries all the battery current so when it blows pretty much nothing will work & it's usually pretty obvious there's been excessive heat in this area of the battery compartment. Tim

[EdCrono]

Thanks for clarifying about the FL 1.25B, because I did not find it and the problem ended up being the AM1 fusible link that was blown, which in my van is black and is an 80 Amp.

So then is the FL 0.5G fusible link goes bad you recommend that PICO from the Summit racing? Mine's wire got tore up and I'm thinking about ordering one from PICO.

Again thanks for pointing me in the right direction. :doh:

[firstclass]

*** another update ***
Turns out at closer inspection my AM1 fuseable link had gone out, the 80amp fuse near the power steering fluid. Put a new one in and I'm back in action.
My alternator has low voltage, which was my original battery problem. Maybe from a slightly leaky power steering pump.
Maybe this post should just be deleted since I seem to have solved my issues, however maybe it is helpful for another anxious newb. :dizzy:
****
----
update 1
Embarrassed to say I put my battery in backwards.:no: Fixed it, found I had blown the 12a EFI fuse, and now when I put the key in I get the battery light, but thats the only thing I get. Other fuses seem fine, and from what I can tell the fuseable links seem fine.

Have I fried the computer?

Any help would be appreciated.
:doh:
------

Hi Guys,
Last week while driving to the airport at 4am my 1984 van displayed the battery light and the parking brake light. A few minutes later I pulled into a toll, and on my way out of the toll could not regain power and pulled over. Turned off the van, couldn't turn it back on, but still had lights etc.
Today I took my battery to get checked out, it needed to be replaced because CCA was low (around 425).
Now when I installed my new battery (and I'm pretty confident I have done this correctly), I noticed some smoke in the cabin near the glove box.
Now the key does nothing in the ignition, no lights, nothing.
Wondering if there is a sequence of fuses to check or something obvious that I haven't been able to find yet.
Thanks

[technocj]

Re check the fusible links under passenger seat, I had a very similar issue after shorting the battery.

[Eppy_ate_eppie]

Our van has been sitting for a few years but was running when it was parked. A friend installed the battery wrong, could that fry the computer? A couple of mechanics have looked at it and couldn't fix it. Anyone have ideas?

[JPERL]

Our van has been sitting for a few years but was running when it was parked. A friend installed the battery wrong, could that fry the computer? A couple of mechanics have looked at it and couldn't fix it. Anyone have ideas?

Check the fusible link next the battery box . do searches on fusible links here on the forum. The fusible link is a wire designed to melt before the system sustains damage . Is it totally dead ? dead like as if there were no battery present at all? check all fuses also

[Eppy_ate_eppie]

Thanks for the reply. I think it might be the fl 2.0l the section right off the terminal looked darm and corroded while where it connect to the next section of wire looked good. I will try and replace it. I thought it would melt as a failsafe but could that really be the trouble all along?

[Eppy_ate_eppie]

Just checked fuses looks like someone put a 15a fuse in the ecu fuse how bad is that for the ecu?

[JPERL]

Just checked fuses looks like someone put a 15a fuse in the ecu fuse how bad is that for the ecu?
I don’t remember off hand what fuse it’s supposed to have but For example putting a 15 amp fuse in a 10 amp circuit is bad but putting a 10 amp fuse in a 15 amp circuit won’t damage anything it will just make the fuse blow easier

[Eppy_ate_eppie]

I don’t remember off hand what fuse it’s supposed to have but For example putting a 15 amp fuse in a 10 amp circuit is bad but putting a 10 amp fuse in a 15 amp circuit won’t damage anything it will just make the fuse blow easier

It's supposed to be 10amp fuse

[Burntboot]

It could be as simple as they only had a 15A on hand or maybe theres an issue.
Only one way to find out, install correct fuse and monitor, if it blows, start digging.

Sorry, I know that isn't very helpful, I'll go back to my sandbox now

[pinkgrips236]

I did this with my first van. Fried the fusible link and definitely fried the ECU.

I replaced the fusible link and the van would run, but barely. I traced it back to the ECU. Pulled it out, opened it up, and sure enough, I could see where a capacitor or resistor was blown. Ebay'd a used ECU, ran fine.

[davidd113]

The check engine light needs to come on when key in on then off while starting and off while running.. Not 100% sure on van but other toyotas need that circuit working for EFI to kick on. Fusible links are known for going bad. I just looked at mine and the need replacing for sure.

Check out EFI relay (PIC) If ck engine is NOT lit and links are GOOD (tested) and ground is good then check relay. Locate it and when key is turned on it will click. I doubt computer is fried

If you have ck engine light on when key is on but turns off while starting most likely not an EFI issue. Check for spark.

Just checked out toyodiy and seems to be some big fuses in there as well on my 1986. Any/all could be blown due to battery issue.

I am extrapolating TLC methodology to van but i doubt it is all that different



85910F
RELAY, COMPUTER (FOR EFI)


90987-02004

1
$45.07




7287

[pinkgrips236]

Does the van crank and not ignite/turn over? Does it sound like it wants to? Or do you turn the key and nothing happens?

If you're getting it to crank, I'd suspect something other than a blown fusible link near the battery. IIRC there is a fusible link at the passengers access panel that is part of the starting circuit. I'd check these as well and make sure they are in good shape.

[Adamk42]

Embarrassing post disclaimer**

Got a new battery for my 1984 Van Wagon LE. Hooked up the terminals backwards when putting it in. (I know...It was early.) :anger: Immediately heard a fuse blow, realized what I'd done, and unhooked it. Checked the fuses and the fusible links under the passenger seat. I replaced one blown fuse in the main fuel panel, and closed the fusible link that was blown. My hope was that the fuses had prevented any real damage to van's electrical system. The fusible link by the battery itself was unharmed.

When I hooked up the terminals correctly, I got power to things like interior lights. The van also cranks easily on the first try. But it won't turn over. I figure the alternator may have been damaged by hooking up the battery backwards, but I'm not sure what to do to diagnose further? Everything I've been reading seems to dead end here, and I haven't had much luck combing through previous forum posts.

Maybe someone knows a related thread I could turn to?
Any help much appreciated! :doh:

[llamavan]

Adamk42, I moved your post to the existing thread on the subject of folks who've accidentally hooked up their battery backwards. :doh:

You'll want to do the following:

(1) Read this thread :thmbup:
(2) Read THIS THREAD (https://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?5323-Searching-TVT-successfully-and-posting-new-threads) so you can find relevant existing threads quickly the next time around, :clap: and
(3) If the information in this thread still doesn't help you, continue to post your observations and issues in this thread. :yes: This alerts previous posters that there's something new in this thread. (When Admin is forced to do a thread merge, nobody is notified ... so it's always best to be the one to find the right thread to post in.)

Good luck!

Gwen

[Adamk42]

Thanks Gwen!