

In the worst case, the ECU/ECM can be removed and inspected if a diode has failed. Most of them are designed to withstand reverse polarity. It is not common to damage the Engine Control Unit / Module by disconnecting the battery cables. If current flows backward through lights, that’s not a problem when current flows backward through electronics with diodes such as the ECU / ECM (Engine Control Unit / Module). If your vehicle doesn’t have a fuse (almost all cars do) designed for this purpose, you will send electrical current backward through systems in your car, including ECU, transmission control unit, and more. When a car battery is connected backward, a fuse designed to protect vehicle electronics should blow. Similar symptoms will be experienced when you try to jump-start a dead battery but accidentally connect the jumper cables backward. The dashboard lights are off, and everything is dead. Suddenly, you see a scary spark, and your car dies. Instead of connecting the positive (+) cable to the positive battery terminal and the negative (-) cable to the negative battery terminal, you hooked them up backward. You decided to change the car battery but accidentally put the cables backward. Installed a new battery backward, now the car won’t start Wiring: The wiring in a vehicle’s electrical system can also be damaged by the surge of electricity caused by connecting the battery backward.Ĭonnecting a car battery backward can cause a surge of electricity that can damage a variety of electrical components in the vehicle, potentially leading to costly repairs.An electrical surge from connecting the battery backward can damage these sensors and disrupt their functioning. Sensors: Many vehicles have sensors that monitor various systems and report back to the ECM.If the battery is connected backward, the surge of electricity can blow fuses and disrupt the vehicle’s electrical system.

Fuses: Fuses protect the electrical system by breaking the circuit when the current becomes too high.An electrical surge from connecting the battery backward can cause damage to the ECM. Electronic Control Module (ECM): Also known as the Engine Control Unit (ECU), this component is responsible for controlling the engine and other systems.Connecting the battery backward can result in a surge of electricity that can damage the alternator. Alternator: This component is responsible for recharging the battery and providing power to the vehicle’s electrical system.When a car battery is connected backward, various electrical components can be damaged including: What gets damaged when you connect the battery or jumper cables backward? In this article, you will find troubleshooting steps that will help you diagnose such problems. Installed a new battery backward, now the car won't startĬonnecting the jumper cables backward or installing a new battery the wrong way is never fun.

