I reversed battery polarity, now it won't start

[HerbieJ]

Tried to hook up a battery while lying on my stomach under the boat cover, in the dark. Realized I had reversed the battery terminals as soon as I touched the second cable to the post and saw the little orange sparks. Now I have no power to the engine, except the tilt/trim switch. Can't turn it over. What did I do??? What will have to be replaced?
HerbieJ

1995 Mercury Mariner 4 cylinder, 4 stroke, 50 HP.

 

[j_martin]

Re: I reversed battery polarity, now it won't start

Tried to hook up a battery while lying on my stomach under the boat cover, in the dark. Realized I had reversed the battery terminals as soon as I touched the second cable to the post and saw the little orange sparks. Now I have no power to the engine, except the tilt/trim switch. Can't turn it over. What did I do??? What will have to be replaced?
HerbieJ

1995 Mercury Mariner 4 cylinder, 4 stroke, 50 HP.

There's probably an inline fuse under the cowl near the solenoid. Reverse polarity on the rectifier would have blown it. Hopefully that's the only damage.

hope it helps
John

 

[slasmith1]

Re: I reversed battery polarity, now it won't start

check all fuses and circuit breakers if they did their job it should be your only problem.

 

[HerbieJ]

Re: I reversed battery polarity, now it won't start

FOUND THE FUSE!!! Problem solved. Someone please cancel this post: I don't know how.

HerbieJ

 

[j_martin]

Re: I reversed battery polarity, now it won't start

FOUND THE FUSE!!! Problem solved. Someone please cancel this post: I don't know how.

HerbieJ

No herbie, it's here for all to learn.

John

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: I reversed battery polarity, now it won't start

Check your charging circuit now. There is a chance you blew a diode(s) in your rectifier.