Wife tried to jump the car with me not around.

[woff32]

I posted this on the maintenance board, but, I figured there was more traffic on this board.

My wife and her co worker tried to jump her 2004 4runner yesterday. I was away from home and they thought they could do it. However, they put the jumper cables on backwards and got a spark. I changed the battery this morning and the car started fine. She told me that on the way to work that when she came to a stop, the car would start shaking and anytime that she touched the brakes they would squeel pretty loudly. I am hoping she just blew a fuse. What else could they have screwed up?

 

[Will_4R]

What do yo mean by backwards? positive to negative instead of positive to positive and negative to ground?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Jump the car? I was thinking "over what?" :wow:

Have you driven it yet?

 

[woff32]

Yep, had the cables hooked up correctly on coworkers car and reversed on her car. She said it threw some sparks and there was a small hole burnt on the top of the negative post.

I havent driven it yet as she was late for work this morning and didnt have time for me to test drive it.

 

[david_ray320]

So I'll go ahead and ask the newb question here:

What is the correct way to hook up cables when jumping a car?

 

[Teqeeler]

So I'll go ahead and ask the newb question here:

What is the correct way to hook up cables when jumping a car?

Do you really think this question needs to be asked? Its not a newb question but is a question that is as obvious as the earth is round. : )

 

[Absolute]

From my personal knowledge:

Other than the battery being shot, you might also want to check the alternator. To have the alternator checked out just take it to your nearest auto store such as AutoZone. They have a machine that will hook onto your battery and let you know whats going on with the battery and alternator.

I am quite new to the forums, just thought this tid bit of information might be of some assistance to you.

Ryan

 

[nashman69g]

So I'll go ahead and ask the newb question here:

What is the correct way to hook up cables when jumping a car?

*Make sure vehicles are NOT touching and keep jumper cable clamp ends from touching each other:

1: Positive of dead car battery
2: Positive of running car battery
3: Negative of running car battery
4: Ground point (ie. engine) of dead car. Not the battery. This is for safety reasons as you don't want a spark around the battery.

 

[drmorbius]

So I'll go ahead and ask the newb question here:

What is the correct way to hook up cables when jumping a car?

Positive to positive and negative to negative, you may have to do this sometime!:shrug:

 

[audiqtr]

Check Battery, Alternator, Starter. these are the first suspects
You have two fuse boxes, one in the engine comp, one inside driver's side, check all fuses.
As far as the brakes, if it is even remotely related to what happened, I'd check the ABS.

 

[ofcbarbrady]

Definitely a fuse...........my wife did the same thing with her Nissan and the re**** negihbor next door. He put them on backwards and bam......car wouldnt start and she had it towed. Fuse ended up being blown. That's why she doesnt touch my cars!!!!!

 

[manhunter]

I accidently did the same thing on mine when I first got it - it blew one of the big fuses in the box under the hood, but I cannot remember which one. I replaced it and have had no problems since. And don't ask me how I "accidently" did it. I still don't know as I have been jumping off vehicles for over 30 years now.

 

[jsmarine]

It happens to the best of us sometimes!

I remember changing the brake shoes on my runner a while back, and couldnt get the rear drums off. I was beating and prying on my rear brake drums for about 20 min before I realized I had the parking brake on!

 

[jsmarine]

This hasn't been mentioned, but since someone asked about how to jump a vehicle I thought I would add to make sure the vehicles are NOT touching each other either.

 

[woff32]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I talked to my wife after she got back to her office from lunch. She said the car ran normal and had no proble,s what so ever. When I changed the battery and started it she took off right away. It wasnt restarted until lunch. I am wondering if maybe the computer just needed to reset? Anyway, thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[sheik]

I feel let down.

This thread had so much potential!

 

[Ruffian]

I feel let down.

This thread had so much potential!

:worthless

My thoughts exactly...lol j/k

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