maxinout93

saw a 97 4th gen on craigslist, says the jumper cables were put on wrong causing electrical issues, 126k miles, needs alt, fuses, ect. they want $1000 obo has a title but listing it as a parts car. Can it be fixed to drive?

bumpypickle

iTrader: (1)

Post a link to the ad. low ball him to 800 at least. These cars already are not worth much. If your mechanically inclined id say yes. Alternator replacement is a DIY. Not sure about other electrical components that may be affected.

also, how the hell do you put jumper cables on wrong? most basic roadside service there is.

CS_AR

A lot of sparks fly when cables are hooked up wrong. Think arc welder sparks. Many years ago I saw the aftermath of a wrong battery hook up. The car's battery exploded and it blew acid all over the engine compartment. Here's a case of a wrong marine battery hookup in the video below.

maxinout93

Not sure how to post the link, but its craigslist in columbia SC,

JoshG

I think if u can find the problem..that would be a big steal, whats its condition on the exterior and interior?



I paid 3,000$ for mine 2+ Years ago, but its white pearl (garaged i assume as the paint was outstanding) with black leather seats looking brand new, 125k miles, Fully loaded with all options sunroof spoiler and no codes or lights on dash.. was a steal, but had small quarter panel damage(about to fix it with my huge project coming up).. but overall it was very nice

Nopike

iTrader: (2)

The car has fuses and fusible links that help to protect circuits. Even from something as serious as hooking the jumper cable backwards. Although it is possible something other than the battery and the alternator got fried I would expect the extent of the damage to be fairly limited.

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

Usually the alternator is protected by the main fusible link (120 or 140 amp) that usually blows during a backwards hookup. But there aren't any guaranties as to what gets damaged and what is OK.

If you are serious about gambling your money on this car, don't pay any more than $500. And even at $500, that may be too much when you consider that the title is "parts car". The work that has been done on that car may be part of the problem.

maxinout93

I just talked to the guy, now says the car may need battery, fuses, alt, cv joint, it has cloth interior, no sunroof, base model, something wrong with the trunk out of alignment, I offered $650, but may go lower than that if I still consider buying it, he says it may start with a boost but wont run long.

arcticracer

Looks like its been sitting awhile, offer no more than 500. I just saw an 02 posted there with burned fuel pump that sounds like a better deal to me.

maxinout93

Yeah that car has been sitting awhile, I also saw the car with the burned fuel pump also

KP11520

Trunk out of alignment?

To me, that's the biggest red flag so far.

Racked frame? Might explain the Parts Only Title. Or maybe it was dunked.

IMO.... Move along and be patient. Something with less major problems will come along at a price that makes it all worthwhile.

This one smells.

Max_5gen

iTrader: (2)

I'd pass- the fuses won't prevent ECU or other electronics from frying up from reverse polarity voltage, they're mostly to prevent fire, not to protect circuits. You most likely will be facing rabbit hole of problems of infinite length.

JoshG

so has eletrical problems, burned fuel pump, trunk out of alignment, yeah something smells that even though it has 126k miles, he took horrible care of it. dont even bother.

maxinout93

Lol thanks for the replies guys, it looks like I was the only person interested in the car, I offerered to go take a look at it this weekend, but other than that, im not gonna waste my money, I love working on cars, from a mechanical aspect, not electrical,

maxinout93

Went to.look at car yesterday and it was worse in.person. rust around the rear quarter panel, rear end damage=salvage title explains why trunk wont close, trash bags on windows and its not running, and the current owners never drove it. def not worth anything but for parts.

CS_AR

Life is too short for electrical problems and older Jaguars.