Checked across the terminals with a voltmeter. 10.58 V. So the battery appears to be toast. Doesn’t mean I don’t have another problem on the sled. I have to think someone else has done this besides me. Or maybe I’m the only one that will admit it. 
Battery Backwards
Ok, so I’m a dumbass, we can get that over with right away.
2019 900 Turbo Renegade Adrenaline. Had to move it to a different storage area. I had the battery at home and was charging it every so often instead of keeping it on the sled. So battery was fully charged although it is the original and about 4 years old. Hooked it up and noticed it sparked when connecting it, never noticed that before. Then I noticed a buzzing from under the hood, and the headlights were on. WTF I thought, then noticed the battery polarity was hooked up backwards. So I quickly unhooked it. It was connected for maybe 30 seconds, and I didn’t try to start it that way.
I hooked it up correctly, then tried to start it. It just clicked the first time, then it cranked slowly on the 2nd and 3rd try. 4th try it started. I let it idle for a few minutes, then backed it out and loaded it on my trailer. Shut it down, tied it off, and tried to start it again. Nothing.
Put it in the new storage on the trailer and brought the battery home. I hooked it up to my charger and it did not appear to take a charge.
I do plan to get the battery tested next week. Probably should just get a new one.
So did I fry my battery, or something on the sled?
2019 900 Turbo Renegade Adrenaline. Had to move it to a different storage area. I had the battery at home and was charging it every so often instead of keeping it on the sled. So battery was fully charged although it is the original and about 4 years old. Hooked it up and noticed it sparked when connecting it, never noticed that before. Then I noticed a buzzing from under the hood, and the headlights were on. WTF I thought, then noticed the battery polarity was hooked up backwards. So I quickly unhooked it. It was connected for maybe 30 seconds, and I didn’t try to start it that way.
I hooked it up correctly, then tried to start it. It just clicked the first time, then it cranked slowly on the 2nd and 3rd try. 4th try it started. I let it idle for a few minutes, then backed it out and loaded it on my trailer. Shut it down, tied it off, and tried to start it again. Nothing.
Put it in the new storage on the trailer and brought the battery home. I hooked it up to my charger and it did not appear to take a charge.
I do plan to get the battery tested next week. Probably should just get a new one.
So did I fry my battery, or something on the sled?
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
Change the battery and then go from there. Maybe a fuse popped as well. We all have those days once in awhile
I did the same thing with a Jeep Grand Cherokee years ago. After a long day at work I came home and changed the Jeep’s water pump (the project I was worried about). I then managed to over-ride numerous fail safes and install the battery backwards.
Hate to one up you but it’s pretty hard to hook up a car battery backwards. Takes dumbass to a whole new level.
Cab filled with smoke, I was sure I fried everything. Turned out to be a bunch of fuses and relays. Maybe $200 and I was back on the road.
Good luck with your sled, I hope it’s just some fuses and relays for you as well. I’d definitely get them checked along with treating yourself to a new battery.
Hate to one up you but it’s pretty hard to hook up a car battery backwards. Takes dumbass to a whole new level.
Cab filled with smoke, I was sure I fried everything. Turned out to be a bunch of fuses and relays. Maybe $200 and I was back on the road.
Good luck with your sled, I hope it’s just some fuses and relays for you as well. I’d definitely get them checked along with treating yourself to a new battery.
That's what I was thinking. It is possible, but usually it is difficult to get it wrong.Hate to one up you but it’s pretty hard to hook up a car battery backwards. Takes dumbass to a whole new level.
Dave in WI, kudos for telling the whole story! Smart of you to do so in my opinion.
Had this happen on a buddies boat. Before you hook anything up I would look at all the wiring you possibly can. The outboard motor had fried wiring harness, popped a fuse and voltage reg was shot. We replaced all that put new battery on and was good to go.
Unless the ECU has protection for this, that is what I would be more concerned with. Basically anything computerized won't like it, like displays. Get a new battery and cross your fingers.
It started so probably just a battery. If you fried the ECM it wouldn't start ever. Then be sure to check your fuses and make sure everything works as it should.
As above.... you're just gonna hafta try a new battery, then test all functions, and keep a close eye on things for a while. Usually, modern computers have internal regulators to reduce the internal operating to around a few volts for the computer internals, and that tends to be protection from reverse voltage. But there are a lot of electronic parts that are connected one one side to the main 12 volt system and the other side to a computer (ECM or cluster), so it is impossible to say what may have happened.
@Dave in WI
You're probably fine. Imagine batt was already done, 5 seasons is a pretty good run for the orig battery. That is right about time to replace anyway.
(I know somebody will chime in on thread with a decade - old awesome, best ever battery.....lol)
You're probably fine. Imagine batt was already done, 5 seasons is a pretty good run for the orig battery. That is right about time to replace anyway.
(I know somebody will chime in on thread with a decade - old awesome, best ever battery.....lol)
Crossed the battery cables on a 1973 Mercury 65 horse outboard turn the key and fried its brain but I had to put the fire out first... Didn't hurt the battery any but the brain was dead... New used brain and it worked fine with the same battery...
That's pretty messed up. I've seen 2 batteries installed backwards on mid 1990's pwc and all they did was instantly blow an inline fuse. Easy fix.
Had a customer do that on an Arctic Cat, burned a fusible link and blew a diode. Hopefully this sled had some form of protection.
With electronics, it's darn near instant to fry something...... and most times you will smell it.
Not hitting the start button was (IMHO) what saved you.
So if you got the leads put back correctly and then actually got it to crank, turn over and run I'm gonna say you're fine.
Not hitting the start button was (IMHO) what saved you.
So if you got the leads put back correctly and then actually got it to crank, turn over and run I'm gonna say you're fine.
That’s my hope too.With electronics, it's darn near instant to fry something...... and most times you will smell it.
Not hitting the start button was (IMHO) what saved you.
So if you got the leads put back correctly and then actually got it to crank, turn over and run I'm gonna say you're fine.
I’ve got a new battery on the way. Won’t be here till July but I’ve got a little time before the snow flies.
I did look at the factory service manual pdf I have. There are a lot of codes you could read with buds for the electrical system. Doesn’t help me unfortunately. I couldn’t find anything about protection built in for reversing the battery polarity. When I get the new battery I’ll start by checking all the fuses, and see if it will start & if it shows any warning lights.
You can test with any 12 volt battery, in case you have another one handy, or want to jump it from a car. If you do the latter, I would first disconnect the car's + terminal to the battery.
Hopefully you just shorted the battery. Like said check all fuses and relays.
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
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