Truck wont start, Battery hooked up in reverse!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

slepnstang · 02-11-2007, 09:16 AM

A buddy of mine has a 90 suburban wont start now due to the fact he threw in a new battery and hooked up the wires in reverse. He said once he turned it over he saw smoke coming out of the alternator and then the truck went dead. He cant smell fuel, the engine rotates, there is no spark but all the lights, etc work. What all could he have fried as a result of this, what should we start to look for that might be behind the truck not starting?
Ive searched for this on the forums, but I cant find anything to help, and suggestions?

watahyahknow · 02-11-2007, 09:24 AM

is there still spark?
reversing the polarity might be worse than you thing on a TPI truck

**N2TRUX** · 02-11-2007, 10:13 AM

Hopefully all he took out was a fusable link. If not he could have blown a module.

slepnstang · 02-11-2007, 12:10 PM

the truck is a tbi, he said he checked the fuses but did not see anything. what module should we check on?

ChevyTech · 02-11-2007, 01:39 PM

Is the owner prepared to spend the money it is going to take to repair this?

Quote:

what module should we check on?

Being you said it has no spark, the first one to deal with is the Ignition module in the distributor. Some parts stores where I live, such as NAPA, will test ignition mudules for free. Make sure you use heat sink grease under the module when you install it.

It is possible that a fusible link is burned and no power is getting to the ignition system.

If you find the module is bad, and replacing it gives you spark, the next think to test is:
Does the fuel pump prime (run for a few seconds) when the key is first turn on?
Do the injectors squirt fuel when the engine is cranking?
We are looking for a destroyed ECM here.

I'm assuming you understand the alternator is damaged.

02-11-2007, 09:16 AM	#1
slepnstang Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Fenton, MO Posts: 10	Truck wont start, Battery hooked up in reverse!! A buddy of mine has a 90 suburban wont start now due to the fact he threw in a new battery and hooked up the wires in reverse. He said once he turned it over he saw smoke coming out of the alternator and then the truck went dead. He cant smell fuel, the engine rotates, there is no spark but all the lights, etc work. What all could he have fried as a result of this, what should we start to look for that might be behind the truck not starting? Ive searched for this on the forums, but I cant find anything to help, and suggestions?

02-11-2007, 09:24 AM	#2
watahyahknow Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: the netherlands europe Posts: 4,335	Re: Truck wond start, Battery hooked up in reverse!! is there still spark? reversing the polarity might be worse than you thing on a TPI truck __________________ i got a job again and having fun at it too idea's for the trucks and the order of things to do are taking shape and get closer to being realized , a few more months and i be able to start building for real i complete 2 of the trucks intoo running fashion one custom and one basicly stock the thirth will be sacrificed for parts

02-11-2007, 10:13 AM	#3
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Truck wont start, Battery hooked up in reverse!! Hopefully all he took out was a fusable link. If not he could have blown a module. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

02-11-2007, 12:10 PM	#4
slepnstang Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Fenton, MO Posts: 10	Re: Truck wont start, Battery hooked up in reverse!! the truck is a tbi, he said he checked the fuses but did not see anything. what module should we check on?



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