I mistakenly left the head lights on for less than two hours, and found the car cannot start while all the lights can still be turned on and off(head lights, emergency lights, ceiling lights).

I thought it was a battery problem and I called the community police office. When they came in, they first connect the cables in wrong way (positive and negative), and there was a splash of stars; then they switched the poles and with the cables connected with their truck, I started the car, but only find that nothing else, except for the very dim head lights, was working: I cannot move the shift stick, on the panel only the battery light was on very dim, the horn is not working, and celling lights cannot be on. I checked the fuel box at the left knee position, and they are all fine. When the officers disconnect the cables from their truck, the engine dies.

What could be the problem? Should I tow it to some shop? Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks.

Q

 

that happened to me not long ago, i had it jump started and when i disconnected the cables, the engine died. jump start it again but this time i gave it some gas to keep it going, yet the car still sputtered and eventually died. checked my voltage when i got the engine running and it only showed like 9 volts. it was the alternator going bad. changed alternator and problem is fixed. help this helps.

 

jeez...they messed up the battery terminals??? what kind of community officers were these??
the wrong jump start "might" have killed the alternator and since your battery was already nearly dead anyway...it doesnt have enough juice to turn the starter but only enought to run the lights...and since the alt is dead, its not supporting the engine on its own when its turning.

i think the officers MIGHT have ruined your alternator AND your battery with the terminal reversal...

but do some more checks to be sure.

good luck.

 

damn that sucks
Police fried your altenator

I accidently did this on my Mustang. My autotech teacher put it best: "well atleast you know you wont have that problem again".

I was doing a combined compression check, then trying to get it started and set base timing, etc. I basically drained the puny battery that came in it, so I swapped in my Costco Battery (used to be in the 3rd gen, 875CCA) but the terminals were switched. I didnt think about it, I just figured since the terminals were on the same side of the tray.... I basically flat out forgot to check, and smoke started coming out of the altenator.

$33 after core exchange and tax. You just cant beat that price.

MrGone

 

I don't blame the officers even though it might be that they made a mistake. Afterall, they are responding to my call and came to my house at the very cold evening. Don't even try to convince me that they did it on purpose.
But thanks for your information. Anyone know how much does an alternator cost? Is it an easy job so that I can change it or I have to tow it to a shop?
Thanks again.

 

MrGone,
I am wondering for one issue. If it is only the alternator problem, why the ceiling lights are not working? They should not need alternator. Please be noted that the head lights can still be on, so the battery is not completely dead. Could it be a fuse problem? If it is, do you know which fuse does it look like?
Thanks