1990 Toyota Corolla jumping mistake

Tiny
DEEH2581
  • MEMBER
  • 1990 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 65,000 MILES
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?
Monday, March 10th, 2008 AT 10:35 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 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.
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Monday, March 10th, 2008 AT 5:30 PM

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