I connected the jump leads to the wrong ports

[Autumn]

I would get a new battery fitted first as that appears to be the first problem.
After that start the engine & see if it will run - sounds like it should if the AA got it running.
After that see if there's any warning lights, or batteries not charging.
You may be fine & its just the battery that's been damaged.

Best straight forward unjarganese reply.

 

[DessyParkerWigWam]

Update on my cock up … needed a new battery and a new alternator - thankfully all other electrics are fine and all now working - except my bank account which is £900 lighter…. Though I do think give the original gloom from the AA man - I’ve got away lightly ; ) Thanks to everyone for your advice

 

[AlistairC]

Phew, that is a very good result for you!

Several years ago I actually had the AA out to deal with a flat battery on my friend’s car. They managed to hook their super high power jump leads up backwards on our car and again leads started smoking.
AA man was very non-plussed and casually walked back to the clamps to correct his mistake!
But this was before the days of cars having multiple ECUs on board. Incredibly, no damage done there either! But it does show, we can all make mistakes!

 

[m10chkcalifornia]

Seems odd to say having had to spend £900 but "good result"!. And you needed a new battery in any case.

 

[DessyParkerWigWam]

It's a good result compared with the - several thousands - quoted by AA man !!! I take the small wins - glass half full type of guy : )

 

[sidepod]

Next time you’re tempted to open the bonnet, don’t. Get an adult to do it.

 

[DessyParkerWigWam]

Next time you’re tempted to open the bonnet, don’t. Get an adult to do it.

Thanks for advice - though a little patronising!

 

[sidepod]

Oh behave you snowflake! Where’s your sense of humour?

 

[Gina-B]

Given that many users of this club are here to learn (me especially), Id like to thank m10chkcalifornia for their contribution here. Probably the most helpful above all the others. I haven't (yet) had the problem described but I've certainly learned a lot just from that one response. Grateful for that. Let's keep helping and teaching where we can.

 

[m10chkcalifornia]

Oh behave you snowflake! Where’s your sense of humour?

Adding 'insulting' to 'patronising'.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

Personally....I wouldn't have posted this error......I'd have kept quiet and hoped no-one saw me do it!

 

[sidepod]

Adding 'insulting' to 'patronising'.

And you need to be offended on behalf of someone else because???

 

[silversurfer]

If it makes you feel any better, I’m an experienced car DIYer and refuse to jump start to/from any of my vehicles. It’s just too dangerous if you get it wrong

 

[CaliforniaSeb]

Also, my friend's partner put petrol in her VW California. He then drove about 30 mikes on it. Worse still; the tank was almost empty when he filled it up. It makes the financial cost of your mistake seem rather petty.

 

[ArunAlec]

Think we need a new thread “DIY cock up confessions”!
My best one was trying to drain a Saab radiator. Instead of undoing the drain tap, after some heavy spanner application I managed (mistakenly) to remove the complete soldered tap assembly. Ended up having to remove the radiator and resolder …. Not happy,

 

[momo44]

If it makes you feel any better, I’m an experienced car DIYer and refuse to jump start to/from any of my vehicles. It’s just too dangerous if you get it wrong

experienced ? refuse to jump start to/from any of my vehicles. !!

 

[sidepod]

experienced ? refuse to jump start to/from any of my vehicles. !!

Yeah, that whole giant + and - symbols in red and black can be confusing!

ONLY JOKING !!!

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

Stop being so Positively Negative!

 

[rod_vw]

Come on boys and girls lets not be harsh on one another, not everyone has fifty years of DIY experience.

The OP (@DessyParkerWigWam) did make a very silly mistake but those of you who know a bit about automotive electrics will admit that he got away with it very lightly. He could have done thousands of pounds of damage to both vehicles or even injured himself. Batteries do explode up in such circumstances!

It's an expensive lesson learned but one well worth remembering!

 

[Corradobrit]

If it makes you feel any better, I’m an experienced car DIYer and refuse to jump start to/from any of my vehicles. It’s just too dangerous if you get it wrong

Sometimes its unavoidable. Like when I sold my Audi S4. The chap and his entourage turn up to collect and the battery is flat as a doughnut (it was 7 years old afterall). Luckily my buddy was there to come to the rescue with his portable Li Ion booster power pack and saved the day.
Like anything critical always double and triple check before proceeding and have someone else chack again.......

 

[Corradobrit]

I predict this will be an epic thread.

 

[ArunAlec]

Stop being so Positively Negative!

That’s the trouble with batteries, no neutral!

 

[Velma's Dad]

If it makes you feel any better, I’m an experienced car DIYer and refuse to jump start to/from any of my vehicles. It’s just too dangerous if you get it wrong

Obviously if you're not 100% confident then don't do it. But on the other hand it's surely useful for everyone to know how to do a jump start, maybe out in the middle of nowhere, it might be someone else's vehicle who's stuck in the sticks.

Red-to-red, black-to-black surely isn't all that hard to retain as useful knowledge?

(Just my view, and no implied criticism of anyone on here.)

 

[Kev56]

Sometimes its unavoidable. Like when I sold my Audi S4. The chap and his entourage turn up to collect and the battery is flat as a doughnut (it was 7 years old afterall). Luckily my buddy was there to come to the rescue with his portable Li Ion booster power pack and saved the day.
Like anything critical always double and triple check before proceeding and have someone else chack again.......

This. One of my best buys was NOCO Boost X GBX155 4250A 12V UltraSafe Portable Lithium Jump Starter. Will start any truck, no problem with pos/neg issues and a massive back up source , bit expensive but paid for itself on a couple of occasions.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

That’s the trouble with batteries, no neutral!

Except in Switzerland!