2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser crossed cables

CLILSHORTYO16

MEMBER
2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER

Electrical problem
2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

When I changed my battery I crossed the cables and now the radio doesn't work but the lights on the radio work and the reading light doesn't work. Also where the mileage is located it says no fuse. I checked all of the fuses and they are good. I am pretty sure there is a wiring problem somewhere but I don't have a clue where to begin looking. I read another faq about this and it said I may have to take the car to the dealer to have the radio reset but #1 I don't have any money and #2 why would the reading light be out. Anything may help me. Thanks for your time.

2 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

Did you check fuses in two places? There should be a junction box in the dash board and a power distribution box under the hood.

There are two power sources for the radio. One is turned on with the ignition switch to turn the radio on, and one is always hot to maintain the station presets and clock memory. The memory circuit is always tied to another circuit that is always live, such as the interior lights.

Normally, connecting the battery backwards can do many thousands of dollars worth of damage. There are dozens of computer modules, and the alternator that must be properly powered.

Caradiodoc