Jump start - terminations worng way round!

[ollie_owen_84]

I've recently been having trouble with my battery, something is draining it quite badly. I think it may have something to do with the switch for the roof in the boot. It fell apart, and, as a temp' fix, I've just put a loop on the two wires for now. Works fine, roof comes down.

Since then, the battery has been failing on start up. So I got a new one. Same problem still. The loop was then taken off. However, when I went to jump start it, for what I hoped was the last time, I put the jump leads on the wrong way round on the donor car. Yes, I know. I am a plum.

A big spark appeared, and the jump lead melted near the clip on the negative cable.

The donor car is fine. All the electrics work fine on the Z4, but nothing happened when I go to turn the engine over. I've got new jump leads and tried it again (With them being the right way round second time) But still nothing. I've Checked all the fuses in the glove box, but can't find any blown ones.

I've clearly melted something, but am not sure what. Maybe an ECU or a fuse I haven't found yet? Any help would be much appreciated

 

[ollie_owen_84]

This may be in the wrong section. Apologies if it is.

 

[MrPT]

Turn the headlights on and try and start the car. If they dim significantly then the battery is probably shot and can't handle the amperage required to start the car.

Be really careful handling the battery. Damaged car batteries can be extremely dangerous and I wouldn't leave it too long before calling the pros!

 

[ba3bas]

Did you notice any smoke from elsewhere in the car? Hopefully you've just damaged the battery.

Worst case is you have melted an earth wire somewhere but you would or should have noticed a burning smell.

Most probably battery damage from what you've done. Swap over.