I replaced a bad alternator in my 88 DX yesterday. I took my battery to get recharged today when i took the old core to advance. i got home, installed the battery, and now the car won't start. it does nothing.

the alternator job was simple. after getting the old one out, i put the new one in and reconnected the green plug and the black wire. i put the belt on, and tightened it when i tighened the alternator's bolts. the battery is fully charged. what is going on? before i did this, it would at least turn over. what am i missing? anything i can check? the only odd thing i've noticed is a beige plug (with one orange wire and one black) that isn't plugged in. i'm pretty sure this was how it was when i began work on the car--i don't remember disconnecting it. please help...i'm at the end of my rope here.

 

the belt is too tight or too loose, maybe?

i had my belt so tight once on my s10 that the truck wouldn't start cuz it couldn't turn the belt. i didnt even tense it that much.

you also didn't mention any symptoms, you got clicking, interior lights, NOTHING, is it turning but not starting?

eh?

 

make sure all elec. connections are tight and secure.. check battery cables also..

my ol rustang didnt start one day cause of the battery terminal..

 

i get nothing when i turn the ignition. no clicks, nothing. also, before i swapped out the alternator, and my battery was really low, i still had interior lights and stuff. now everything is dead, with a fully charged battery. i really don't get it. everything is secure. i don't have a repair manual, and have very little experience, so i don't even know what i'm looking at. it's time to order from helms, i guess. thanks for your help.

 

Did you clean the battery terminals and clamps? They shouldn't be that bad, but it might help.

 

Check all your underhood fuses and even though its unlikley check to make sure you got the cables on the right sides + to + and - to -.

 

Oh yeah, that would do it. You better hope it isn't that or some of your electricals may be roasted.

 

i'm sure the battery is connected correctly. as i said, i did start to connect it in reverse, but when it sparked, i immediately disconnected it and reversed the connections. do you think this could've damaged parts of my electrical system?

i will check the fuses tonight. thanks again, for the help.

 

could have blown a fuse or two maybe?

it will spark even if you hook it up right though.

 

Not good. You probably blew a couple fuses at least.