Reversed the cables on my battery

[nate-riley]

Call me a dumba$$. I know I screwed up, but how much harm could I possibly of done. When I installed the neg (-) to the pos (+) terminal there was a spark. Long story short, I bought a new battery and changed all the fuses but I have nothing. The clock, lights, dash lights, nothing comes on. Dead. It seems I may of fried the bike. Is this possible? Any suggestions?

Thanks
NR

[axel_2078]

Are you sure you changed all the fuses?

[nate-riley]

All the fuses in the fuse box. I think around six total.

[axel_2078]

Hm..... If it was just a quick spark and then you removed one of the leads right away, I can't see it doing any permanent damage. I've done this to a car before when jump starting it, only it lasted for several seconds. It did't spark, but it did start smoking. After I fixed the leads, I had to let it charge for several minutes before it would even make an attempt to start the car. 87gixxernut seems to know a good bit about mechanics. Hopefully he will see this thread and give you some info.

[nate-riley]

Thanks, for trying. After the spark I charged the battery. 10 hours on a slow charger and it wouldn't hold. I bought a new battery and charged it, changed all the mini fuses in the fuse box and I still have a dead bike.
Not so bueno.
I have the dealer towing the bike into the shop tomorrow AM. I was hoping to have a quick solution tonight, ( I could avoid cashing in my entire stock portfolio to pay labor costs at a stealership.)

NR

[axel_2078]

I would definitely try to get an answer sometime between tonight and tomorrow morning. If by chance you did do some permanent damage, Suzuki may void the electrical portion of your warranty. I'm not saying you should try to lie your way out of it though because if some of the wires are fried, they will know what happened. You might be able to put it in a different way though....like you removed the terminals from the battery to do some work and one touched the battery and another touched a metal tool that was in contact with the bike. That sounds a lot different that saying "I put the terminals on backwards." Know what I mean?

[87gsxrnut]

( I could avoid cashing in my entire stock portfolio to pay labor costs at a stealership.)

You must have a weak stock portfolio then.

Try the MAIN fuse. It is not in the fuse box, but usually in the harness located near the solenoid. You probably smoked that one.

- Nut

[axel_2078]

Ahhhh. I told ya he knows some stuff.

[nate-riley]

Thank You so fu,,ing much!!! 30 amp fuse just where you said it was...with a spare! She fired right up!!

Thanks guys for your help!


NR

[axel_2078]

What are you going to do with all that mulah now that you don't have to take your bike to the dealership?

[Louis]

Another story that ends well.

[themeatmanlandry]

'Nut's the man again!!

[87gsxrnut]

Just make sure you head down to the dealer and order TWO spares. One to replace your fried one, and one to toss in the tool box.

Every main fuse I have seen has been a 30A one. You other riders out there with used or older bikes might want to take a look at where that fuse is, and make sure the correct fuse is in there (have seen nails, hardwire, tin foil, etc. in the main fuse slot), and make sure you also have a spare.

- Nut

[planc]

Thanks for the solution, 87gsxrnut, After reading this thread I've just repaired both my and my son's motorbikes by replacing the 30 amp fuses after battery flattening problems. My son left his parking light on all day and flattened the battery so much it caused a polarity reversal in the cells. After recharging I got sparks when I tried to reconnect it. A new charger warned of the polarity reversal. Followed advice on the net to drain the battery flat by connecting a lamp to it, left it a few days and re-charged it. Works perfectly fine now. Been riding and driving for forty years and never had that happen before.