Q: Battery hooked up backwards

asked by on January 04, 2018

I have a 08 Chevy Malibu,I put a battery in backwards,and it made my radio and horn stop working,I replaced the alternator and got a new battery,and after doing that,the battery light still comes on,what else could it be

My car has 97000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

As you may know, when the battery is hooked up backwards, reversing the polarity, will typically cause the alternator to fail. The fusible link is also likely blown. I would suggest performing a visual check in the fuse/relay box with a flashlight. The blown fusible link will be easy to spot. Other fuses need to be removed and checked one at a time or by using a multi-meter. If you need additional help with this, please contact our service department here at YourMechanic to schedule an appointment.

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


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

I have to turn the ignition twice
Hello. It sounds like an ignition switch or starter relay problem with your vehicle. I would have a certified mechanic accurately diagnose your car's starting issue (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-not-starting-inspection) so that you do not waste any time or money on unnecessary repairs....
Gearshift button
Hello. In order to repair this problem, you simply need to get the gearshift knob and button replaced. If you still want to use the car until you are able to get your shifter fixed, you can take a small...
Speedometer not working correctly
Your assumption sounds about right, either the sensor and or the cable are sending some mixed signals to the dash and it doesn't know what to do with it. Have a certified mechanic take a look at your speedometer components...
My truck is starting to have a rough idol , I changed the spark plugs about 6 months ago.
The rough idle (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-idle-is-rough-inspection) is often times associated with what is called an idle air control module/valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idle-control-valve-replacement) which regulates the air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the motor. When this is not...
Open sunroof during rain-damp front seats, water droplets near switches, damo carpet. Best solution to completely ensure no mold
As long as you totally dry the carpet you should not have a mold issue (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-remove-the-smell-of-mold-from-your-car). If the carpets were completely soaked and floors were flooded then the carpet will need to be removed and the padding (JUTE) under the...
My ford contour 2.5 litre v6 1998 model is losing coolant, When the engine is hot steam rises from the right hand front of the en
Hello, thank you for writing in. While the head gasket is a common place for older vehicles to leak coolant, there are some places you will want to check first. For example, the water pump which is the heart of...
Where is the transmission mount of the 1998 Toyota Camry located?
The mount is beneath the transaxle on the driver side. The Toyota OEM mount is recommended if you desire to replace this part. If you need help with this, please request engine/transaxle mount replacement (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-mount-replacement) and the responding certified mechanic...
2008 Dodge Caliber, The engine is shaking at idle on Drive and Reverse mode, but stops shaking when in Neutral and Park Mode. The
Hi there. There are a few things that can cause the engine to idle rough or shake at idle. The first would be that the engine or motor mounts are loose or wearing out. In this case, the engine will...
2002 Elantra: ratting, sudden loss of power and stalling! Pls help stuck on a mountain.
It sounds like you may have a cooling system leak that may have caused a hose to burst. The more concerning question is the brown colored coolant that came from the leaking hose. This often times indicates that there may...

Related articles

2012 Toyota Camry vs. 2012 Chevrolet Malibu: Which One Should I Buy?
Mid-size sedans are the perfect family vehicle; offering just enough space for you and a few kids, but not so much that a small family will feel lost in them. This class of vehicles is slightly larger than a compact...
2012 Toyota Prius vs. 2012 Chevrolet Volt: Which One Should I Buy?
While these two vehicles are both certainly cost-effective to drive, they can be difficult to compare due to the Prius’ entry in the mid-size category and the Volt living squarely in the compact car category. Both of these vehicles are...
Industry News for Automotive Techs: October 8-14
50 MPG Chevrolet Cruz Diesel, Mazda's G-Vectoring drive system, Uber and Volvo collaborate on autonomous cars, and Hubb's new reusable oil filter.