Oppo PSA: disconnect your battery

"PowderHound" (PowderHound)
11/27/2015 at 19:39 • Filed to: None

When working on your car. Doesn’t really matter what you are working on. I blew my main fuse yesterday by accidentally hitting the alternator with a screwdriver and grounding out. Didn’t even think about it until my car didn’t start this morning and I had to get a ride to work. Yes, I’m an idiot.

DISCUSSION (7)

XJDano > PowderHound
11/27/2015 at 19:57

So my battery died in my metro, like dead. I didn’t have cables. Job side was about an hour & 20 minutes. I grabbed the yellow top optima battery out of my Jeep. The terminals lined up, so I just flipped it over & touched them together. Pop.

SHIT. The optima battery terminals are opposite the metros. So positive to negative and blew the main fuse. SHIT.

I took out main fuse, replaced with a penny from ashtray. Reversed the battery, jump started. Drove towards work, bought new battery, fuse & jumper cables then went to work. Was only a half hour late.

PowderHound > XJDano
11/27/2015 at 20:06

Hell yeah! That’s the way! Unfortunately I was in a bit of a hungover/late for work state and wasn’t thinking properly or else I probably would have checked the main fuse. I even bought a new fuse! But the internet info was wrong and I need an 80 amp not 120 amp fuse.

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > PowderHound
11/28/2015 at 09:34

I have an electrical leak in my e30 so I fixed it by buying a $20 battery disconnect knife switch. Kind of want to do that for all my cars now, so convenient.

rockingthe2 > PowderHound
11/28/2015 at 13:34

I did something similar, but ended up blowing my fuseable link, that thing was a bitch to troubleshoot!

RazoE > PowderHound
11/30/2015 at 14:45

I did the exact same thing on my Supra once. Live and learn.

PowderHound > RazoE
11/30/2015 at 14:48

All fixed now. Luckily it was only the main fuse and dead simple to replace. Definitely a good lesson for me.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > PowderHound
12/11/2015 at 21:33

Thought I had 2 burnt out lights. but ended up having to change fuse. forgot to unplug the battery and touched two together. luckily my arm was resting on the metal floor. Feeling returned about 15 minutes later.