Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1965, Lincoln Continental, voltage regulator circuit, reverse polarity

Question
Car doesn't start- engine does not turn; No clicking from the starter; has a new battery. I believe the guy working on the car attempted to install the battery and mixed up the pos and neg cables; the starter clicked before I gave him the car. How and where do I start checking? Thank you- any help is appreciated!

Answer
Hi Ed:
If the guy working on your car connected the battery backwards, the battery is most likely damaged. Also, there could be possible damage to the Started Relay and Voltage Regulator Circuit. First, test the new battery to see if there is a full charge. If not, then start with a fresh/new battery.  However, if the battery seem OK, but the engine still won't turn over, put a battery booster or fresh/new battery on it anyway, to try to start it. Sometime even a damaged battery may give a fault charge reading when reverse polarity has been applied.

If the above all fails, then take a look at the start relay/solenoid. There is a good chance it was fried in the process. However, hopefully it didn't also fry the starter.

Hope this helps...