71 240Z - New battery connected the wrong way around

[kevpatts]

Hey all,

My car doesn't have black and red batter connections, and when a battery was replaced today someone didn't notice that the poles were in the opposite side on the new battery, hooked it up the wrong way around.

They soon disconnected it but not before a boiling sound and a puff of smoke from around the starter motor area. I'm fearing the worst!

Is it safe to hook it up the correct way around and hope for the best? I'm guessing the car doesn't have a fusible link. What's the most likely to go first in a 240Z?

 

[Rob Gaskin]

It should have a fusible link to protect the cabin wiring - that link is next to the starter.

However I fear you will have damaged components in the engine bay - alternator, voltage regulator etc. Have a good look at the wiring for signs of melting.

 

[kevpatts]

I can't see any problem with the rest of the wiring. This is the area at the back of the starter. The top cable looks burned, but it still seems flexible, which is unexpected.

Is it likely the wiring or the starter itself? It looks like the starter from a later model if I'm not wrong.

 

[kevpatts]

Okay I'll wire it up correctly when I get home and test everything.

 

[s2k_adz]

Ive done this a couple of times over the years with different batteries on the Z and never caused any damage bar a fusable link

 

[candy red]

If I was you I’d clean up all terminals blot back up and put the battery back on with correct wires to correct terminals and start it up if you’ve already done damage nothing will happen if not will start up and be fine unless you’ve blown fusible links ,or you could join the overthinking club

 

[richiep]

The fusible link is that short middle wire to the solenoid with the plastic connector at the other end visible in the first picture.

 

[kevpatts]

Started up and ran fine. Thanks guys. I’ll try to stop overthinking!