While replacing my battery I accidentally put.

Tiny
MOMMY-OF-4-BOYS
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 203,000 MILES
While replacing my battery I accidentally put the battery terminals on backwards and tried to start the car. I then looked and realized what I had done now my car will crank but not start. The starter, altinator, and fuel pump are okay, I checked all fuses, they're fine so I figured I had fried the computer I replaced it and my car is still cranking but not starting. I don't know what else it could be. I'm a single mother of 4 children and I don't have much money. I live in a small town in KY. Where we don't have any type of public transportation, so a vehicle is a necessity, I can't afford a new car so I desperately need to find out how to fix this one asap or I will lose my job because I have no way to get to work Please help!
Sunday, February 24th, 2013 AT 7:09 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
BUST OUT THE OWNERS MANUAL

LOOK UP FUSIBLE LINKS----LOCATIONS

CHECK THEM TOO----THEY ARE LIKE FUSES---SOME ARE MADE DIFFERENT THAN OTHERS

SOMETIMES THE ARCING MAY WEAKEN A CONNECTION (SORTA BURN IT---LITTLE OR NO CONTACT---ESPECIALLY IF THERE WAS CORROSION TO BEGIN WITH, ON THE CONNECTION)

MY LINK BELOW WILL "MAKE YOU" DO THIS RIGHT.....

http://www.2carpros.com/questions/1996-chevrolet-tahoe-wont-start-sounds-dead-battery-jumpbox-get-same-reults

I ALSO GRABBED YO A DIAGRAM---IT LISTS LOCATIONS

ANY QUESTIONS....JUST ASK!

I'D RATHER YOU RETURN HERE WITH A BIG OLE GRIN!!!

YOU MAY OWE ME LUNCH!

LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES

THE MEDIC
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Sunday, February 24th, 2013 AT 7:38 AM
Tiny
MOMMY-OF-4-BOYS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I tried all of this and my car still wont start. The guy I had working on it said the fusible link was burnt so instead of replacing it he just got a piece of the same guage wire and connected it to the two ends which means he completely removed the fusible link. Do you think that would be the problem. Also the theft system light is staying on steady I tried to override it with information I got from other websites but I've had no luck. Please help me if you can :(
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Friday, March 8th, 2013 AT 9:57 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
I WILL ATTEMPT TO FIND YOU ANOTHER TECH WHO KNOWS SOMETHING ABOUT THE ANTI-THEFT

YES---I'M TRYING TO SCARE YOU!

FUSIBLE LINKS ARE THERE FOR A PURPOSE---TO BURN OUT, BEFORE WIRING DOES!

NOT SURE HOW THIS ONE HAPPENED----THE END RESULT IS THE SAME WITH A WIRING FIRE!

Jacobandnicholas (another tech) SENDS ME THIS "SICK JEEP STUFF" JUST TO UPSET ME ( I ANSWER NEARLY ALL OF THE JEEP CJ QUESTIONS THAT COME THRU). DOES A GOOD JOB AT IT

I THREW UP---FELL TO THE FLOOR---HAD CONVULSIONS---PASSED OUT---WAS IN A COMMA FOR DAYS WHEN HE SENT THIS ONE TO ME!

BE PATIENT.I'LL FIND YOU SOMEONE!

THE MEDIC
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Friday, March 8th, 2013 AT 9:15 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good afternoon.

Try this for the theft. Turn key to start and back to on, let it set for at least 10 minutes or till the security light goes out, then do it again, after the 3rd time, turn key off then try to start it should have learned the password with this procedure.

Roy
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Friday, March 8th, 2013 AT 9:49 PM
Tiny
MOMMY-OF-4-BOYS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I tried your suggestion about the anti- theft and it didn't work I left the key in the on position for over an hour and the anti-theft light stayed on the entire time
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Saturday, March 9th, 2013 AT 3:11 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Ok, then you may have damaged one or more modules from the voltage spikes form crossing the cables. Without us being there to check the system ourselves, you will need a shop to at least check the system. Computers and modules do not like voltage spikes. You may have damages others as well.

Roy
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Saturday, March 9th, 2013 AT 12:31 PM
Tiny
MOMMY-OF-4-BOYS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
You were right I just had to replace the coil modules and it fired right up. Thank you so much for all your help!
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Sunday, March 10th, 2013 AT 6:45 PM
Tiny
MOMMY-OF-4-BOYS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
New problem: the car will start and run then the anti theft light comes on the car acts likes it wants to die but it continues to run all the dash lights start blinking but the anti theft and check engine lights stay on steady the car runs horrible
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Sunday, March 10th, 2013 AT 10:37 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Did you put the old computer back in? Was the replacement new or used? You cannot use a used one as it is programmed for another car.

Can you get us the codes?

Roy
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Thursday, May 30th, 2013 AT 6:51 PM

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