QuestionThis isn't so much a follow up question as it is just a follow up. Did you automatically assume that because I'm obviously female, that I'm completely incompetent? You never once answered my initial question. If I had reversed the polarity on the jumper battery, don't you think that I would have mentioned that? Especially considering how detailed my quesiton was? Yes, I checked every single fuse that looks like a fuse. That includes the one that says 'ALT 80' and located just off the positive lead of the battery. I asked about the plastic covered squares because your answer didn't make sense to me. I figured that those were relays, but deferred to your authority....ie you made me feel like I was an idiot, like I overlooked something that now I see I didn't. I'm disappointed that my question wasn't addressed.
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Followup To
Question -
If I know for certain that the connections to the jumper battery were correct are there any other things to check? About the 80/100 amp alternator fuse, is it one of the plastic covered squares (one orange, one black) that I assumed were relays? How would I test it?
Thanks again.
-brandi
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Followup To
Question -
The other day, I left my lights on, killing the battery. I have an 89 camry, 4cylinder. When we went to jump it, I had accidently left the key in the 'on' position. When we touched the negative lead to the the chasis of my car, there was a loud pop (can't really describe it, it was sort of fast) that sounded as if it came from the steering compartment area. We've checked all the fuses possible. Right after it happened, after charging the battery for a while, there were no panel lights or anything with the key turned on. Today we reset the circuit breakers. Now, the interior lights come on when the key is turned over, seatbelts move, etc., but nothing else happens. There's absolutely no noise. No fuel pump sound, no whirring, nothing. So now my guess is something possibly in the ignition or starter mechanisms. I have the Haynes manual, tools and determination not to spend a lot unless absolutely necessary. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks so much.
Answer -
The most likely cause is that the jumper battery was connected backwards, this will cause the 80/100 amp alternator fuse to blow out, this fuse is located under the hood in the black fuse panel, along with this fuse the EFI fuse and some other ones will also go so check for the alt fuse first and replace it if needed.
Answer -
The alternator fuse has a clear cover on it and is marked either 80 or 100 amp.
AnswerLet me address the first part of yor follow up first, you'd be surprised if I told you how many times cars get towed into the dealer because of dead batteries that were jumped backwards without the customer admitting or mentioning that they did, not just by ordinary people but also by tow truck drivers and garages that should know better, that question was not meant as an insult to you but a starting point to answer your question.
Electrical problems are the hardest to diagnose on a forum such as this and all I can do is try to give the best anwser that I can, sorry couldn't be of more help.
