What Damage May Occur If You Reverse Battery Connections?

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gerpena · #1 Unread post by **gerpena** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 6:47 am

I bought a new battery because my bike wasnt starting and i didnt notice the polaritywas switched from my old battery. I saw some sparks and noticed my lights wouldnt go on after i connected it.

I realized my mistake and took the battery to an auto parts store to have the charge tested, fearing i had screwed it up. They said the battery was fine. the accident burned out the 30 amp fuse on the starter solenoid but after i replaced the fuse and connected the battery properly my lights went back on.

however, my bike still wont start.

many people here seem to think its the starter motor since it makes no sound when i attempt to start. any advice on how i can check it? some troubleshooting tests i can perform with my meter?

did the fuse save me or is there a chance i could have screwed up something on the bike when connected the battery wrong (~30 seconds)?

Psycluded · #2 Unread post by **Psycluded** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 7:01 am

*grimace* On Hondas, that can actually cause the computer to completely bug out and reset itself. Means your fuel injection might not even work, if you're on an PGM-FI bike.

gerpena · #3 Unread post by **gerpena** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 7:15 am

Psycluded wrote:*grimace* On Hondas, that can actually cause the computer to completely bug out and reset itself. Means your fuel injection might not even work, if you're on an PGM-FI bike.

oh man that scares me... no chance the fuse saved me?

the bike does exactly what it did before my mistake, but of course still wont start.

any suggestions?

Psycluded · #4 Unread post by **Psycluded** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 7:32 am

Looked at your sig, you're definitely riding a carbed bike, so no worries about a fuel injection computer. I'd look at the solenoid next. You may have burned out/shorted some of the connections there.

gerpena · #5 Unread post by **gerpena** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 8:33 am

i checked to make sure the solenoid output is 12 volts when i push start. it is.

can i say the solenoid is fine and check something else?

Psycluded · #6 Unread post by **Psycluded** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 8:38 am

Hm... yeah, if that's doing fine, I'm not sure where else to look. If your starter is turning the engine over, but it isn't catching, it's gotta be a fuel problem.

gerpena · #7 Unread post by **gerpena** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 8:40 am

Psycluded wrote:Hm... yeah, if that's doing fine, I'm not sure where else to look. If your starter is turning the engine over, but it isn't catching, it's gotta be a fuel problem.

Thats the thing tho, the engine never catches. the only sound the bike makes when i try to start is that of the solenoid clicking.

the starter makes no sound.

Posthumane · Wed Sep 28, 2005 9:10 am

If the starter solenoid is clicking but the starter isn't turning, then that is likely what it is. Take the motor out and connect it directly to a battery for half a second with booster cables, and see if it spins (but make sure you secure it when you do this, it produces alot of reaction torque). If the starter motor turns, check the connection to the solenoid, the connection to ground, and the solenoids connection to ground (you said you already checked solenoid 12v output). If it doesn't turn, check the brushes and windings inside the starter motor.

gerpena · #9 Unread post by **gerpena** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 9:15 am

Posthumane wrote:Take the motor out and connect it directly to a battery for half a second with booster cables, and see if it spins (but make sure you secure it when you do this, it produces alot of reaction torque). If the starter motor turns, check the connection to the solenoid, the connection to ground, and the solenoids connection to ground (you said you already checked solenoid 12v output). If it doesn't turn, check the brushes and windings inside the starter motor.

Excellent advice man, this is exactly what i was hoping for. i will try what you suggest tonight after work. i think my clymer manual has some good info on cleaning the brushes on the starter. im keepin my fingers crossed.

thanks again.

Iain · #10 Unread post by **Iain** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:33 pm

Now why wouldn't the company go and install a simple diode to prevent the current from "flowing" the wrong way, so as to avoid such a mistake? It just dosn't make sence.