jamesd83

Before I get started let me admit responsibility for assuming the parts store gave me the correct item. I gave them my old battery before work and picked up the new one on my way home however the battery they gave me had the terminals reversed!!

The reversed battery was only connected for a few seconds and now I have the correct one.

The vehicle runs, but the digital dash does not work, radio does not work, headlights work but will not go up or down, and I think the alternator must not be working because the new battery will go dead eventually.

I have checked every fuse inside the car by the driver's pedals and cannot find any other fuses on the vehicle...if anyone has any suggestions please help.

86tcoupe

Yikes ...not good you hooked + to - and vise versa?

that is why we took the jump boxes away from the car salesman at the dealer.

check the block fuses 50A - 100 A at the battery and fusible links ?

cross your fingers maybe you will be lucky
IC 's hate reverse voltage .

zxguy1986

Ouch. Your alternator/regulator is likely fried if it isn't charging correctly now. Gotta replace that. Do that first - and check your battery cables/terminals themselves for damage - before the rest so you have reliable power to all your systems. Then list what isn't working right.

All your fuses and fusible links need to be checked. Radio has a separate fuse behind it. You may as well check your relays too. Something on the way to your dash - a fuse or sensor or a circuit - is fried so you'll have to chase that down from scratch. In general, electronics are very sensitive to current polarity and amps - so any electronic sensor anywhere in the car is suspect too at this point. Not sure about the solenoid-type switches but they're also easy to test with a multimeter.

It will take you a while, but all is not lost. Stay determined and work with your FSM to locate the links and fuses to check, and to trace down your circuits. This is a good time to unplug any harness connections you come across, clean the ends with electronics cleaner, spray on anti-corrosion compound and reconnect them. Forward, soldier.

PredatorZ

Normally when you do what you did you fry a few fusible links, check them with a meter, the wire inside can burn leaving the plastic cover intact.

jamesd83

Thanks guys, I did find a bad fusible link beside the battery. Crossing my fingers that it is the only problem lol.

Heading to the parts store now, but I doubt they will be able to help. It is the large black one labeled BAT.

It probably isn't a good idea to try and make a jumper to replace this if I cannot get the correct part or is that ok? I don't want to put on something too big and defeat it's purpose. If that is an option what wire size is it?

Thanks again for the help.

zxguy1986

Good parts store with a computer will know what link replacement fits your Z. Take the blown one with you.

trulywitit

I am going through a no spark frenzy right now. Did the harness answer all your prayers? lol
81 280zx non turbo