After installing the battery incorrectly, the check engine light on, windshield wipers, horn, high beams, not working and trunk not opening?

CESAR81

MEMBER
2016 CHEVROLET IMPALA
3.6L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
133,364 MILES

I replaced the battery myself and I accidentally put the wires wrong so there was a short. After I adjusted them and properly installed the battery, I saw my engine light was on, then next day noticed my horn, windshield wipers, trunk and high beams were not working at all. Check all the fuses and relays and all seem to work. Just wanting to know what is the problem and how much to fix it? Or can I do this myself? I have a Please help.

2 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,643 POSTS

Yep, it happens. This can damage different things but most of the time the BCM will take the brunt of it which sounds like this has happened to you. But to be sure you should do a CAN scan. You can get a CAN scanner (Controller Area Network) which will work on most cars from Amazon.

Here is a video to show you how:

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

Here is a guide to help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/resolving-reverse-battery-connection-in-cars-a-step-by-step-repair-guide

Here is the location of the BCM so you can swap it out for a rebuilt unit that can be preprogrammed if you search Ebay or Google you can find one. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

Images (Click to make bigger)