Ok so the ol' wagon has been sitting undriven for a couple of weeks and the battery was dead flat - no door open light in the dash or anything - so I bunged the battery from my Cooner into it but the thing wouldnt fire. The wipers were also constantly on and I couldnt turn them off and when I hit the key the temp gauge went straight up to red.
Thinking about it for a tick I quickly went and had a look at the battery and sure enough, for the first time ever, I put the terminals on backwards, and not only left them on, but tried to start the car as well.
I quickly swapped them over, but by this stage the battery was nearly dead from cranking but it fired up but now the battery light stays up on the dash (or trip comp.) and it's no longer charging.

I went to disconnect the battery to put the original in to charge it up but when I disconnected either side (+) or (-) the engine stops, leading me to believe that the alternator is munt.

Is the alternator buggered or is there someting else I should check before splashing out $250 for a new one and still having the same problem?

Ooops..

May just be a relay you've shorted.. But sounds like she's a goneskies!

SuFz

Would there be a relay for recharging? Its gunna cost me $80 to ask the question :D

I'm going to lock in alternator diodes.

yeah too much current in wrong direction will wreck diodes

Im just going from personal experience..

Brother did the same to his lancer and he shorted out two relays and all was fine once replaced.

Have you tested the alternator or given it a knock with a rubber mallet..?

SuFz :ninja:

No you have done 2 stupid things, you dont disconnect a battery in a running car, that is stupid number 2

There is a fuse in the main junction box, I would say this has blown, check that one and you will most likely find that is has popped and saved your electrical system

If you want to charge the dead battery either use a set of surge protected jumper leads to jump start the car or charge the battery off the car on a battery charger

OK. Madmagna I have learnt my lesson.
BTW, what is your stance on them booster packs?

Ah yes, the front lower 45 degree fuse seems blown. Next Q - How to get it out!

http://i51.tinypic.com/2940u8i.jpg

Booster packs are fine, they will not cause a surge so are all good

There are 2 10mm head bolts under the plastic cover of the fuse box, they are a bit of a bugger to get to but need to be undone to get the fuse out

Got them thanks. The coolant pipe is in a bugger of a spot.

Hopefully this is the issue.

Just went and got a replacement, and problem fixed! Thanks heaps Madmagna and everyone else I really appreciate it.

And I learnt my lesson