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Shorted battery to ground accidentally

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Old 07-21-2015, 07:27 AM
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Default Shorted battery to ground accidentally

Okay I know I messed up guys but I just want to know if I'm totally screwed or what.. I was replacing my thermostat yesterday and I took the starter out to do it. I accidentally dropped my ratchet on the starter power cable (disconnected from the starter but not the battery... I know.) and it landed on my transmission. So essentially I had a power cable going right to my transmission. It started sparking and burned my ratchet a little. I put everything back together and now I get a no start no crank no start.. Do you think I fried some wires somewhere? The power to ground touching was for like 8-9 seconds long until I could get it off after noticing. Any input is great


The starter clicks once and that's it now. I replaced the starter cable to the battery, the starter is fine because I've already taken it in and had it checked out. I really don't know what the issue is or what I could have fried if possible
Old 07-21-2015, 12:19 PM
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Default Re: Shorted battery to ground accidentally

Grounding a 12v+ battery lead usually results in blowing the main bus fuse in the under-hood fuse box. Depending on how long the event took, you could have potentially done more damage than this, but it is unlikely.

Check the largest sized fuse/breaker in the fuse box... look through the clear plastic cover and see if the copper colored barbell shape inside is intact. If it is broken in the middle, then you have found the problem. Replace and see if you are ok then.

Good luck.
Old 07-21-2015, 12:27 PM
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Default Re: Shorted battery to ground accidentally

I got a dollar that says the battery is fried. There was no fuse between the battery and the trans according to the description. Battery more than likely blew a cell. I did this to a BRAND ******* new Optima once. Dropped a ratchet and it hit both posts for less than a second. Battery was toast everything else was fine.
Old 07-22-2015, 03:43 PM
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Default Re: Shorted battery to ground accidentally

Its also possible that you dis-charged the battery. Try charging the battery up. Also check some of the battery leads around the battery and starter to make sure they didn't over heat and melt there coatings making them exposed wires. You can take the battery to an auto parts store and have them test it, I believe.
Old 07-22-2015, 08:28 PM
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Default Re: Shorted battery to ground accidentally

I had the same problem with my old toyota echo... battery was toast and the main fuse also.

try to check the battery and replace it if its still under warranty and double check all fuses... after that like everyone said, you should be fine.

Good luck ,

note : next time try to take out the battery to avoid such mistake,. I also learned my lesson.
Old 07-31-2015, 12:34 PM
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Default Re: Shorted battery to ground accidentally

same thing happened to me it ended up being a fuse in the fuse box next to the battery
Old 08-04-2015, 08:57 PM
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Default Re: Shorted battery to ground accidentally

Yeap i did an alternayor on a 04 rsx base model forgot to disconnect the battery and sparked it while messing with the alternator and blew the big 100amp fuse in the fuse box, by the way dnt do an alternator on this its a PITA
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