1988 Ford F150 Battery install gone wrong

1988 FORD F-150
120,000 MILES • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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MATDAVIS721
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I was installing a battery into a 88 ford f150 and I was not thinking when I put the battery in and put the negative cable on first, and then touched the positive to the positive post. Once I touched the positive post with the positive cable it caused a wire near the ground on the side of the truck to go up in smoke. I was wondering what sort of damage would be caused by this? Also, if I needed to bring the truck into the shop or if this is a possible quick fix? Thank you for your time.

Matt Davis
Jun 4, 2008 at 5:03 PM
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MHPAUTOS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

If you have shorted the system out, hopefully you have just cooked the fusible link and blown a fuse. Worst case is a voltage spike and a damaged ECU. so i would get a qualified mechanic to inspect this for you.

Mark (mhpautos)
Jun 4, 2008 at 5:27 PM
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