I recently charged a battery the reverse way without realising it, then put it into my car. When I tried to start it, the alternator and its fuse burnt out, as did the computer and ignition coil. I ran a multimeter test on my battery and discovered, to my horror, that the polarity had been reversed.:shock:

I managed to get an alternator and fuse, but heard it may cost up to $1000 to fix the computer and ignition coil. Anyone had similar problems before? I would like to do it the cheapest possible way.

In addition, the alarm systems are also giving problems. Someone broke into my car not once but TWICE.:angry: Now, whenever I open any one of the doors, the hazard lights go off and won't stop until 3-5 minutes have passed.

I recently charged a battery the reverse way without realising it, then put it into my car. When I tried to start it, the alternator and its fuse burnt out, as did the computer and ignition coil. I ran a multimeter test on my battery and discovered, to my horror, that the polarity had been reversed.:shock:

I managed to get an alternator and fuse, but heard it may cost up to $1000 to fix the computer and ignition coil. Anyone had similar problems before? I would like to do it the cheapest possible way.

In addition, the alarm systems are also giving problems. Someone broke into my car not once but TWICE.:angry: Now, whenever I open any one of the doors, the hazard lights go off and won't stop until 3-5 minutes have passed.

First up.. HOW TO HELL DID YOU SWAP YOUR BATTERY AROUND AND NOT NOTICE? Most batteries have their terminals to one side, so if you swap ends the cables don't reach without some physical effort.

Second, get a 2nd hand ecu from the wreckers, shouldn't cost a grand, your coil - same thing, wreckers, but i got a new coil and it was under a hundred inc fitting.

Lastly - Alarm, easiest thing to fix - cut the sucker out and get something useful to protect your car like a big doberman.. but remember, dogs die in hot cars :( mmkay.

First up.. HOW TO HELL DID YOU SWAP YOUR BATTERY AROUND AND NOT NOTICE? Most batteries have their terminals to one side, so if you swap ends the cables don't reach without some physical effort.He said he did it off-car, somehow the polarity got reversed by charging it the wrong way around, so when he put it in his car (the right way around), apparently it's acted as if it was in fact put in the wrong way around.
Didn't know such a reversal of polarity was possible, but haven't investigated lead-acid batteries much.

But yeah, ECU from a wreckers should only cost maybe $150, as with from ebay.

It is entirely possible to reverse the polarity of batteries, which can sometimes happen by an extremely drained battery even. Charging them in reverse causes the same thing to happen.

Anyway, TCU and ECU are both not all that expensive to replace from a wreckers (maybe around $100 each), and the coil may be up to about $70, unless you claim ignorance and claim it's a standard (non EFI) ignition coil, which in that case costs about $10 :D

btw - how did reversing a battery stuff your exhaust??? :shock:

Lastly - Alarm, easiest thing to fix - cut the sucker out and get something useful to protect your car like a big doberman.. but remember, dogs die in hot cars :( mmkay.

thats what i got, 55kilo german shepherd partols my carport at night, does a good job too:angry: shame i can't take him every where:confused:

also curious bout the exhaust battery relationship?

It is entirely possible to reverse the polarity of batteries, which can sometimes happen by an extremely drained battery even. Charging them in reverse causes the same thing to happen.

Anyway, TCU and ECU are both not all that expensive to replace from a wreckers (maybe around $100 each), and the coil may be up to about $70, unless you claim ignorance and claim it's a standard (non EFI) ignition coil, which in that case costs about $10 :D

btw - how did reversing a battery stuff your exhaust??? :shock:

I made a mistake in the thread title. Was thinking of something else.

My battery was completely flat when I plugged it into the AC charger in my house. Anyway, what's the deal with EFI and non-EFI coils?

Been looking around for a TCU just now.

thats what i got, 55kilo german shepherd partols my carport at night, does a good job too:angry: shame i can't take him every where:confused:

also curious bout the exhaust battery relationship?

Well, my car got broken into while parked at the local train station. They need to get more guards with dogs to patrol the park & ride carpark.

I made a mistake in the thread title. Was thinking of something else.

My battery was completely flat when I plugged it into the AC charger in my house. Anyway, what's the deal with EFI and non-EFI coils?

Been looking around for a TCU just now.

EFI coils are designed to be run with the power transistor controlling it, and are generally more prone to failure compared to standard ignition coils off carby-based engines (thus the reason they charge more for them). If it's anything like the wreckers I always go to, if you say it's just a standard ignition coil, they only charge $10, but if it's for an EFI model, it's about $70. Depends on whether the guy who serves u knows much about cars though as to whether he will believe u or not lol ;)

If the guy then hits you with the "what sort of engine is it, carby or efi" when you're asking for the coil just use the ignorance glory-line

"Ummm BOTH!"

If the guy then hits you with the "what sort of engine is it, carby or efi" when you're asking for the coil just use the ignorance glory-line

"Ummm BOTH!"

Well, what if I get a coil that is unsuitable?:badgrin: I have an EFI motor. Surely I can't use the carby version coils?

Anyway, I need to uninstall and reinstall the TCU. I would appreciate if someone could point me to an old thread or explain the best possible way to do it. ;)

Looks like you will have to go get it off a car your self!

Don't ask them to get it for you!

Looks like you will have to go get it off a car your self!

Don't ask them to get it for you!

Ah well, I just saw some pics of the TCU and where it is located. It was a LHD version, though. The search function is really useful.

Well, what if I get a coil that is unsuitable?:badgrin: I have an EFI motor. Surely I can't use the carby version coils?

Anyway, I need to uninstall and reinstall the TCU. I would appreciate if someone could point me to an old thread or explain the best possible way to do it. ;)

You can tell the difference between the coils quite easily... usually the old carby ignition coils are sorta a large round tin can shape, while the EFI ones are significantly smaller, and usually have a power transistor on the same module. Claim ignorance when ur at the desk paying for the coil, and say it's just an ignition coil, and if they aren't all that savvy with cars, u can get out with it cheap hehe. Exactly what I did when my ignition coil failed!