..Yesterday I decide to pull the cover off the CJ let it air out, dry up and such. I try to start it, nothing. So I check the voltage on the main battery I'm only gettin like 3.1v. Ok So I pull it out and pull the battery from the DD and slap it in there. As soon as I hook up the neg., it all goes to hell. Smoke, a burning smell, etc. So first I grab the fire extinguisher & spary to avoid any further probs. Then I go to grab the neg wire to pull it off OUCH!! its cookin. So I grab the pos. unhook it and the problem stops. After about 3 sec's of investigation I realize how retarded I really am. As I'm sure many of you have figured out I switched polraities. Now My question is how much damage did I do?

1976 CJ-7
No computer
No blown fuses
Put battery back in DD drove it to work
Did hook the battery up right and the CJ still wouldnt start
Do have an after market ignition system (did this get damaged?)

Retardedly yours,

This should answer ALL your questions! (http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/sierranaked.jpg/) After that, good luck :flipoff2:


Edit: Crap, can't flame here........don't click the link!!!

OK if it won't start you may have burnt the starting solenoid up, the gauges should have diodes in them to prevent reverse-current meaning you shouldn't have burnt them out....but I can't remember off hand. Turn your ignition on, then take a heavy gauge piece of wire, strip both ends, wrap one end around the positive side of the battery (wear gloves though as the wire might get hot) and touch the other end to the positive terminal on the starter. See if it clicks or turns over or starts....you're hoping it starts, get back in and try to start it, if it still doesn't turn over, you're going to have to start eliminating electrical components from the solenoid to the ECM to the ignition switch. Also when you key your ignition, check your gauges and see if they register, if you're low on gas, the gauge won't do much. Hope that helps some.

Did you hook the battery up properly and see if it would start? Its possible nothing happend to the electrical system, but you'll never know until you try. If the ignition switch was off when you did this, everything that receives power from the switch should be safe. At the most you may end up having to replace the starter and ignition switch. Also don't forget to check the insulation on the battery cables.