Tried to charge car, hooked up wrong, won't start, big spark. what's wrong?

Question

My car's battery was running low, since i was sitting it, listening to music. So I decided to charge it. But I believe I hooked up the charger wrong since there was a big spark. And then the lights would turn on and stuff, but the car wouldn't start. It's a 91' oldsmobile cutlass sierra.

I'm new to owning a car...

Answer 1

Because you hooked it up wrong, you may have messed up the starter, I think. I did that a long time ago, I brought it in to the mechanic and he fixed it. It wasn't that bad, I think he said I screwed up the starter. But it could have been worse. Going off memory here, I think he said I was lucky to not mess up the alternator.

Take it in to a mechanic, hope you have one you can trust.  

Answer 2

check your fuses exspecially the ones in the fuse box under the hood look for ones labeled starting or ecm it will probally be a larger fuse with higher amp rating good luck

Answer 3

Check out your fusese under dash if thats not the problem you probably fried the fusible link( very cheap and easy repair)It's a 12 gauge red wire that goes down to the starter

Answer 4

Check your fuses first. It's always a good idea to have a manual (an owner's manual AND aftermarket manual, like Chilton's or better, if available) to keep in the car, as well as an assortment of extra fuses, oil, trans fluid, brake fluid, radiator fluid, jack, jack handle, lug-nut wrench, some hand tools, etc. You probably just blew your ignition's fuse ... if you're lucky.

Answer 5

you have shorted your battery =[[[  your gonna have to break out the wallet and go get a new battery sorry. but bottom line is your battery is dead lol.

Answer 6

Its probably a fuse you blew. No, your battery isnt the cause but you will need to get a new one. Check all your fuses and then fix them if you blew them, then go and get a new battery.

Answer 7

You have probably blown a few fuses. Listening to the radio would not flatten the battery, so it was probably a dud when you bought the car.

As you don't know what you're doing, get an electrical mechanic in to replace the battery and fuses.

Answer 8

Check your fuses, there should be a fuse box somewhere under the hood (on the left or right side) and one somewhere under the steering wheel.  Check to see that A: All fuses are intact, B:the cables are properly connected to the battery (give them a jiggle and see if anything lights up).  If none of this works, take out the battery and hook it up to another car and see if it works.  If none of this works than I have no idea what the problem could be.

Answer 9

you could have damaged a cell in the battery ,you may have to take the battery to auto zone or any parts store and have them check it,as for the car,you wont know if there's any damage to it until you put a good battery in it,sometimes it can damage some of the electrical components in them,good luck.