New Battery = Alarm Sounding & Water Spraying
09-29-2013, 07:46 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
New Battery = Alarm Sounding & Water Spraying
So, I am now learning that didn't follow the proper battery disconnect procedure by leaving the key in the ignition. Here's why:
When I reconnect the negative terminal to the new battery the alarm blares and both the headlight and windshield washer nozzles spray. A lot. Must be an added anti-theft feature.
Anyone have any idea how to stop this spectacular sound and water show?
When I reconnect the negative terminal to the new battery the alarm blares and both the headlight and windshield washer nozzles spray. A lot. Must be an added anti-theft feature.
Anyone have any idea how to stop this spectacular sound and water show?
09-29-2013, 11:45 PM
#2
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Figured it out - I had the battery facing the wrong way - thus the + & - terminals were reversed. This was the car's way of saying "Nooooo, you idiot STOP!" Reversed the battery and connected everything properly - no damage done.
In my defense, the negative terminal looks a lot like a typical positive in that it has a second wire attached. And both leads are black. Still, I pulled the darn thing out to replace it so should have been paying closer attention!
Not one of my finer mechanical moments, but a pretty good idiot-proofing system by Porsche. :-)
In my defense, the negative terminal looks a lot like a typical positive in that it has a second wire attached. And both leads are black. Still, I pulled the darn thing out to replace it so should have been paying closer attention!
Not one of my finer mechanical moments, but a pretty good idiot-proofing system by Porsche. :-)
09-30-2013, 08:44 AM
#3
Rennlist Member
Figured it out - I had the battery facing the wrong way - thus the + & - terminals were reversed. This was the car's way of saying "Nooooo, you idiot STOP!" Reversed the battery and connected everything properly - no damage done.
In my defense, the negative terminal looks a lot like a typical positive in that it has a second wire attached. And both leads are black. Still, I pulled the darn thing out to replace it so should have been paying closer attention!
Not one of my finer mechanical moments, but a pretty good idiot-proofing system by Porsche. :-)
In my defense, the negative terminal looks a lot like a typical positive in that it has a second wire attached. And both leads are black. Still, I pulled the darn thing out to replace it so should have been paying closer attention!
Not one of my finer mechanical moments, but a pretty good idiot-proofing system by Porsche. :-)
10-01-2013, 01:07 PM
#4
Poseur
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
You were extremely lucky. Many people try to do this and reverse polarity and totally trash their systems. Here's a simple tip. Take a picture of the battery before you start your replacement job. Then compare it to your set up after the new battery is in place, but before you wire it up.
You can do significant damage by wiring up incorrectly. Also, why would you ever leave a key in the ignition? These cars do not take well to leaving keys in the ignition. You need to refer to the owner's manual about that.
You can do significant damage by wiring up incorrectly. Also, why would you ever leave a key in the ignition? These cars do not take well to leaving keys in the ignition. You need to refer to the owner's manual about that.
10-01-2013, 02:27 PM
#6
If you get trouble changing a battery, then maybe it should be left alone.
100k cars are too expensive to "Guess" on . Your PCM 's a couple of grand right there.
Glad you got away with it tho.
100k cars are too expensive to "Guess" on . Your PCM 's a couple of grand right there.
Glad you got away with it tho.
10-02-2013, 01:23 AM
#7
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Thread Starter
Saw a couple posts on different forums suggesting that leaving the key in would prevent the alarm from triggering on reconnection. Didn't try it, however.
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10-02-2013, 01:42 AM
#8
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
It was less about "guessing" and more about rushing the job because I was late to be somewhere. And a negative terminal connection that looks like a positive one. In short, incorrect assumptions were made. Thankfully the damage wasn't worse.
I deserve some grief for this but in 16 years of working on cars (from oil changes to engine drops), this was the worst mistake I've made. Lesson learned and hopefully it will help others from doing the same thing.
10-02-2013, 02:34 PM
#10
Didn't get away scot free. The alternator was fried and needed a new rectifier and regulator. $132 at the alternator shop. I also blew the Bose amp fuse and the PCM will need to come out to replace the 10 amp fuse in the back.
It was less about "guessing" and more about rushing the job because I was late to be somewhere. And a negative terminal connection that looks like a positive one. In short, incorrect assumptions were made. Thankfully the damage wasn't worse.
I deserve some grief for this but in 16 years of working on cars (from oil changes to engine drops), this was the worst mistake I've made. Lesson learned and hopefully it will help others from doing the same thing.
It was less about "guessing" and more about rushing the job because I was late to be somewhere. And a negative terminal connection that looks like a positive one. In short, incorrect assumptions were made. Thankfully the damage wasn't worse.
I deserve some grief for this but in 16 years of working on cars (from oil changes to engine drops), this was the worst mistake I've made. Lesson learned and hopefully it will help others from doing the same thing.
Not the easiest thing to share, but thanks .
10-02-2013, 04:58 PM
#11
Rennlist Member
10-02-2013, 07:16 PM
#12
Rennlist Member
The end result was the hookup of the cables to the wrong posts but other than not having a very visible marking on the cables ( a real problem), the issue was really created by installing the battery in the tray backwards (negative to the passenger side and positive to the drivers side) - the cables are short enough that I'm surprised the negative cable (on the drivers side) was able to reach the now reversed positive post and vice versa. I know there's not much slack in the cables.
10-03-2013, 05:16 PM
#13
Drifting
What about any guidelines on how to insert the battery - such as the battery old-down clamp or some other visible sign that indicates which side the positive post goes to?
10-03-2013, 05:58 PM
#14
Rennlist Member
