Installed battery reverse polarization!

[La Zona Imagery]

I was replacing the battery in my 1965 C10 and I accidentally installed it in reverse polarization Ok don't blame me 100% The previous owner had a RED CABLE hooked up as the ground cable, and a black cable as the positive cable!! ARG!!!

I tried starting the truck, the starter motor was running but the engine would not turn over. Isn't that strange?

I then noticed the wire from the battery to the alternator was totally fried and smoking.

Do you think I caused any other damage?

[1963c-10]

I'd start with disconnecting the battery. Replace the bad wiring, check fuses and then put a the battery back in and see what happens. You could have friend anything electric or gotten away with no issues. If you fix the wiring and still won't fire, check for any fuseable links that may be installed in the ignition system. May be lucky and its just that one wire. Did the alternator smoke any? Lucky you didn't have an electic fire.

[La Zona Imagery]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

I'd start with disconnecting the battery. Replace the bad wiring, check fuses and then put a the battery back in and see what happens. You could have friend anything electric or gotten away with no issues. If you fix the wiring and still won't fire, check for any fuseable links that may be installed in the ignition system. May be lucky and its just that one wire. Did the alternator smoke any? Lucky you didn't have an electic fire.

Ok thanks I will do that first thing in the morning

The alternator did not smoke, just the wire connecting the battery to the alternator...it made a large plume of heavy white smoke and all the insulation burned off.

Actually now that I look at it, the wire connecting the battery to the alternator fried so bad that it cut in half...so maybe that saved the alternator from smoking?

[1963c-10]

There may be some more educated answers, its just what i'd do. Is your alternator internal or externally regulated?

[La Zona Imagery]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

There may be some more educated answers, its just what i'd do. Is your alternator internal or externally regulated?

internal regulation

[argonaut]

You're probably fine. Starter didn't engage because the solenoid was pulling in the wrong direction.

[chuckmc8]

Don't feel bad, most of us have done this same thing once or twice

[La Zona Imagery]

Hey guys I installed the battery correctly this morning.

But when I connected the alternator wire to the positive pole on the battery, it started to get hot and melted all the insulation. Isn't that wire supposed to connect to the positive side? It is a 1 wire alternator like show here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPe6QzrNM2Q

So what I did was I took that wire off and just started the truck...It runs fine but of course the battery is not charging correctly since it is not connected to the alternator. I am confused here. Why did that wire get hot and burn off the insulation when I connected it to the positive cable?

[chevy_mike]

My guess is the alt is bad. Likely shorted the diode pack or something inside the alt. Basically when you hook the new wire up, it's getting hot because it is being shorted out.

Likely you're going to have to replace the alt. Sorry.

[La Zona Imagery]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

My guess is the alt is bad. Likely shorted the diode pack or something inside the alt. Basically when you hook the new wire up, it's getting hot because it is being shorted out.

Likely you're going to have to replace the alt. Sorry.

Thanks for the tip Chevy Mike.

My new 1-wire alternator arrived yesterday, but I think it is DOA. I installed it but my voltmeter keeps reading 12.7 even when the engine is running. And the alternator did not "turn on" even after revving to 3000rpm. This is the one I bought:

Amazon.com: New Chrome 110amp Gm Style Alternator...
After watching a few youtube videos I think the alternator lost its magnetism? Its seems there is a method to "excite" the alternator if that is the case...tap a wire from the alternator positive post to the R or #1 terminal for a few seconds...anyone tired that before?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPl7CTb685I

[Lowl!f3]

That wire is a hot. And if it gets hot the alternator is strait grounded out inside. Hope thays the only thing thats messed up now.