Jumped my car off improperly

Tiny
DAVE6412
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 205,000 MILES
This morning I jumped my car off and accidentally hooked the positive jumper cable to the negative terminal and the negative cable to the positive terminal.
Now my speedometer tachometer odometer stereo A/C power window controls brake lights backup lights and turn signals aren't working. I checked all the fuses I could found none were damaged that I could see. Bought a new battery put it in still those things don't work. I've talked with a few mechanics but they basically all tell me different things. A few said it was my ECM/ECU and others said it was relays or fusible links or fuses and I had one say if it was your ECU/ECM that my car wouldn't run at all. I do not know what to believe or think is wrong and I don't want to take it to a mechanic because I don't want the it is this then them charge me to fix it then it is still not fixed, now it is this or that plus the last mechanic I took it to misdiagnosed a different issues and I had ti fix the issue myself, which was ridiculous especially since I had all hand tools and did the job in the same time they charged me for them to do it. But they have all the specialty tool like lifts and impact wrenches, etc, etc.
Monday, July 1st, 2019 AT 7:33 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,277 POSTS
It sounds like the interrogation relay stopped working/burned. here is the location of the relay and a guide to help you test it:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.
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Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019 AT 1:38 PM
Tiny
DAVE6412
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I found the issue. I just fried some wires and had them replaced. Thank you so much for your reply.
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Thursday, July 11th, 2019 AT 3:23 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,277 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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+1
Saturday, July 13th, 2019 AT 11:26 AM
Tiny
JHDSDN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
I inadvertently connected the positive end of cable to positive side of dead battery and the other end of positive end to the negative side of good battery and attempted to start the car. After discovering what I had done, I connected them correctly, and the car turns over but doesn't start. Did I do any damage to the electrical system in the car?
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Saturday, July 13th, 2019 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Most likely you have blown a fuse, fusible link, or possibly a relay. Inspect all fuses.

Thanks for using 2CarPros. Com!
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Saturday, July 13th, 2019 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARHELP7
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY
Electrical problem
1997 Toyota Camry 182704 miles

Hi, I have a 1997 Toyota Camry. Two times now, my car needed a jump before it will start. This has never happened before. I didn't leave the light on, I have gas in my car, and the car starts nicely after I jump start it for 5 minutes. I am thinking that it could have something to do with the wires because my car's MP3 player doesn't start now, even if the car is running. I have noticed that my car has gotten louder lately, and when I turn the wheels it makes a louder engine sound. Do you know what might be wrong?
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Saturday, July 13th, 2019 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

Start looking at the condition of the battery, get it load tested, check all terminals and earths. Check the alternator charge rate, if low the battery will not re charge. Have the exhaust inspected for leaks, when all electrical issues are resolved, have a look at the power supply and earths for you MP3 player, this may be a separate issue.

Mark (mhpautos) :D
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Saturday, July 13th, 2019 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JUANFARIASC
  • MEMBER
  • 23 POSTS
  • 1991 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 189,000 MILES
The car will only turn on if I jump it- I have taken the starter, the alternator, and battery to autozone to test if they work. They tested the 3 items and all passed.I checked the wires that go to the starter, atlternator and backery and all appears to be in good condition. When turning to turn the car on it doesnt do anything (no creaking) but if I jump it using jumper cables with another car it turns on ok, but once I turn car off and leave it off for a while it wront turn back on unless I jump it again.I have even checked the fuse box and all is ok. Can is wrong with my car?
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Saturday, July 13th, 2019 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello -

To better assist you is your model just the Camry or the DX or LE and what is your engine size in liter?
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Saturday, July 13th, 2019 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
If battery tested OK
suspect and check battery terminals for corrosion and pay a close attention to the positive terminals
remove inspect replace if needed and tighten
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Saturday, July 13th, 2019 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JUANFARIASC
  • MEMBER
  • 23 POSTS
Its was the battery terminals,
thank you
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Saturday, July 13th, 2019 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Thank you for the update
happy driving
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Saturday, July 13th, 2019 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 134,000 MILES
New battery and rebuilt alternator but car still sometimes wont start. When you turn key it just clicks but lights & radio work. Starts right up with jump. Battery tested fine. What could be the issue?
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Saturday, July 13th, 2019 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,864 POSTS
If that's a rather loud click, suspect worn contacts inside the starter solenoid. A lot of hardware stores and farm and home supply stores have the kits for two versions of starters for Chryslers. They have two different length plungers with the contact discs. Toyota uses a considerably different plunger that has to be purchased from the dealer at a cost about double what the entire Chrysler kits cost, but it rarely has to be replaced, so you can use either Chrysler kit. All of them come with the same four contacts. You use the smaller "battery" terminal for all starters, then you select the one out of the remaining three that matches what's in your starter.
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Saturday, July 13th, 2019 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MICHAEL HERL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1992 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 240,000 MILES
Every morning, even eith a brand new battery in it, still needs a smalll jump start. That battery is not fully drained indicating something was left on. I double check to make sure everything is off. However when driving down the road there are 2 lights on constantly ABS and AIR BAG the 2 that flickers are battery and the one that looks like a car w/ rear lights on. Any suggestions?
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Saturday, July 13th, 2019 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If you have to jump it all the time to get it started-Either you have a short that's draining the battery or the alternator is weak get it load tested.
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Saturday, July 13th, 2019 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)

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