Q: Battery Light came on after jump starting another person's car incorrectly
Today, I tried to help someone with a dead battery. The jumper cables were properly placed on my vehicle, but theirs were placed backwards. The jumper cables began smoking slightly, so we turned off both cars immediately and removed the cables. The battery light indicator in my vehicle turned on while the cables were connected. Both vehicles seems to be fine and started after the incident. The battery light in my car is no longer on. Could there be any additional damage to my vehicle since my cables were attached properly?
Recommended Services
| Battery is dead Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
Hello. Your battery light likely came on as a result of additional draw or amperage from your car’s charging system. Keep an eye on your charging gauge, but you should be fine. If you notice that you are having further problems, have the battery inspected by a professional in order to have any corrections made.
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
My car does not start.
Hello. Many things can cause a crank-no start condition. Lack of fuel is one and can be caused by a failing fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, or clogged fuel injectors. If you say that you smell fuel, then it could...
How do I get to the subwoofer to replace it?
The subwoofer on your car is buried underneath a rear cover with four bolts holding it in place. To access the rear subwoofer and the bolts holding it, you will need to move the seats forward and remove the rear...
Clutch goes to floor and now car dies when putting it in hear
I'm going to assume your car dies because when you manage to get it into gear, you can't feather the clutch to get going. This would be normal in this situation. The reason your clutch is acting the way it...
My car has a lot of mileage. Is it road worthy?
Every single part on a motor vehicle will eventually fail or "wear out", and often parts will fail multiple times over the vehicle's life (for example, tires, brakes (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-pads-replacement), rotors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-rotor-disc-replacement), water pumps (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/water-pump-replacement), oil seals, timing belts (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/timing-belt-replacement), bulbs...
The coolant level is low when the engine is cold
If you're finding that your coolant is running low, especially during colder weather, it's a pretty good indication that you've got a coolant leak (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/coolant-is-leaking-inspection) somewhere. However, the problem with coolant systems today is that they can give you false...
My car is W210 E200. I want to ask about somthing in the gearbox
Hey there. When you are in 'S' mode, the transmission starts out in 1st gear normally, but when you select 'W' mode, the transmission will start out in 2nd gear to help reduce wheel slip on slippery surfaces. Where I...
Engine light On and car jerks from 2000-3000rpm
Continual failure of the camshaft sensor may suggest that you have some bad wiring leading to the plug where the cam sensor is plugged in. The internal circuitry and the wires that connect the sensor to power and to the...
Went through a puddle and my car won't start
Most of the time when people describe shutting off after driving through a puddle, drying out the ignition system is enough to get it going again. But if that were the case here, with the pieces that you have already...
Car Seat and Seat Belt Issue
You may have open recalls for the seat belts on your vehicle. I would call the local dealer to verify open recalls for the seat belts and repair for them may be free of charge. The seat being broken is...
Related articles
How the Alternator Works in Your Car
Your Your car alternator, at its most basic, is what works along with your battery and the rest of your charging system to keep your car running. When you start your car, you’re running on battery power. Then the battery...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Alternator
Common signs include having to jump start the car frequently, dim lights when operating the vehicle, or the Battery Light coming on.
How to Charge a Car Battery
In In an age where it seems every moment is tied to a schedule, the last thing you need is to find yourself stranded when your car doesn't crank due to a dead battery. It doesn't matter whether you're at...
Browse other content
Maintenance
Services