1990 Toyota Corolla jumping mistake

1990 TOYOTA COROLLA
65,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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DEEH2581
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I left my lights and the battery died. A friend of mine offered to jump start my car for me but I think when he hooked up the cables to his battery he reversed the polarities. The cables got very hot and the alternator smoked a little. Being 6 mo. pregnant I don't feel like fixing it my self so I brought it to a mechanic who I do not trust. He is suggesting that the computer is shot and needs to be replaced. I know the alternator needs to be replaced but I'm not sure about the computer. What do you think?
Mar 10, 2008 at 10:35 AM
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MMPRINCE4000
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 8,548 POSTS
If the ECM is fried it should display the check engine light with a bunch of codes.
You may also have fried some relays, fuses and fusible links.
Best thing to do is have the alt. tested and replaced if necessary. Then use a scan tool for the ECM to see if it is receiving correct data from the sensors, and correct output.
Mar 10, 2008 at 5:30 PM
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