Shorted Battery, Now What?

mcglsr2 · December 2nd, 2011, 05:56 PM

I need some help, please. Okay, so I was removing the battery from the car, and talking with someone at the same time. Long story short, I wasn't paying attention, and while un-doing the positive terminal I touched the ratchet to the metal sleeve on the A/C lines right there (95 Mustang GT). Got a super nice spark. Of course, I as soon as it happened I was like oh hell. Shame on me. Anyway, I pretty much knew the car wouldn't start - I put the key in the ignition (while the battery was still hooked up), turned it to accessory, and I got nothing, no lights, no radio, nothing. Dead car.

I'm assuming I blew a fuse (or 10) - any suggestions on which ones I should start with would be much appreciated.

johnGT · December 2nd, 2011, 08:57 PM

When I had my old blazer, I was replacing the alternator and something similar happened. I forgot to reconnect the ground wire and it went up in smoke. Long story short, I had to replace the starter cable and battery..

nolife · December 2nd, 2011, 10:10 PM

The battery can usually stand a quick short... the cables, terminals, and wires, maybe not. Check and clean your terminals and close by wiring first, then consider the battery.

98SnakeHorse · December 2nd, 2011, 10:14 PM

Hmm start checking your fuses and relays.

mcglsr2 · December 2nd, 2011, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. I checked all the fuses under the hood, they checked out fine. I also checked out the ones under the dash - good there too. I tested the voltage of the battery, 12.9, so it didn't drain. I put the battery back in the car temporarily, hooked it up, and everything seemed to be fine.

I didn't crank it cause the front is on jackstands with the wheels off, but everything seemed to work. So it looks like maybe the short was quick enough to where nothing got burned out. It's been a long time since I've shorted a battery like that, usually I'm more careful. Perhaps I got lucky this time...

mcglsr2 · December 4th, 2011, 08:13 PM

Phew, car started up just fine. I guess I got lucky this time, that'll teach me to not pay attention. Thanks to you guys that responded!

December 2nd, 2011, 05:56 PM	#1
mcglsr2 Regular 1995 Mustang GT Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 54 iTrader: 0 reviews	Shorted Battery, Now What? I need some help, please. Okay, so I was removing the battery from the car, and talking with someone at the same time. Long story short, I wasn't paying attention, and while un-doing the positive terminal I touched the ratchet to the metal sleeve on the A/C lines right there (95 Mustang GT). Got a super nice spark. Of course, I as soon as it happened I was like oh hell. Shame on me. Anyway, I pretty much knew the car wouldn't start - I put the key in the ignition (while the battery was still hooked up), turned it to accessory, and I got nothing, no lights, no radio, nothing. Dead car. I'm assuming I blew a fuse (or 10) - any suggestions on which ones I should start with would be much appreciated. Last edited by mcglsr2; December 2nd, 2011 at 07:17 PM.

December 2nd, 2011, 08:57 PM	#2
johnGT Regular 1995 Mustang GT vert Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: GA Posts: 499 iTrader: 0 reviews	When I had my old blazer, I was replacing the alternator and something similar happened. I forgot to reconnect the ground wire and it went up in smoke. Long story short, I had to replace the starter cable and battery.. __________________ 1995 Mustang GT vert: STOCK, AODE (B&M shift kit), 2.73 gears, red leather, 410,000~ miles. 2007 Mustang GT: 4.6, 5-speed, 3.55 gears, black on black. (dads car) 1975 Camaro LT: 305ci, TH-350, weiand intake, 600cfm carb, 3.42 gears.

December 2nd, 2011, 10:10 PM	#3
nolife MM Fanatic 91GT, 88GT, 02GT Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 3,057 Blog Entries: 3 iTrader: 0 reviews	The battery can usually stand a quick short... the cables, terminals, and wires, maybe not. Check and clean your terminals and close by wiring first, then consider the battery. __________________

December 2nd, 2011, 10:14 PM	#4
98SnakeHorse Enthusiast 1995 Mustang Gt Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oskaloosa Posts: 708 iTrader: 1 reviews	Hmm start checking your fuses and relays. __________________ 98 Cobra_stock bs/exhaust [SOLD] 2000 s/c gt, 511rwh 450rwtq [SOLD] 1995 331 Stroker Gt, (Turbo build in progress) - http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forums...-95-5-0-a.html

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December 2nd, 2011, 10:24 PM	#5
mcglsr2 Regular 1995 Mustang GT Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 54 iTrader: 0 reviews	Thanks for the replies guys. I checked all the fuses under the hood, they checked out fine. I also checked out the ones under the dash - good there too. I tested the voltage of the battery, 12.9, so it didn't drain. I put the battery back in the car temporarily, hooked it up, and everything seemed to be fine. I didn't crank it cause the front is on jackstands with the wheels off, but everything seemed to work. So it looks like maybe the short was quick enough to where nothing got burned out. It's been a long time since I've shorted a battery like that, usually I'm more careful. Perhaps I got lucky this time...

December 4th, 2011, 08:13 PM	#6
mcglsr2 Regular 1995 Mustang GT Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 54 iTrader: 0 reviews	Phew, car started up just fine. I guess I got lucky this time, that'll teach me to not pay attention. Thanks to you guys that responded!

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