Grounded out main wire to alternator to a 1998 toyota camry

Asked by Arlene Feb 20, 2017 at 10:25 AM about the 1998 Toyota Camry LE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I changed alternator on 98 camry 4 cyl, but I did not
disconnect battery first and hot cable on alternator
made contact with car and sparked. Now I'm
having exterior and interior  electrical problems  
that won't work. Not working are the brake, tail &
reverse lights,  dashbord gages,  turn signals to
indicate turn, and no power from alternator to
battery.  Need some help or advice  with what I
should do/try .thanks

8 Answers

21,930

Check the Alternative. Fuse under hood. I believe this one is a bolt in Fuse. You may need a 12 volt test light or a DC voltmeter to check it. Get back with results.

2 people found this helpful.
45,155

You did the work yourself? whatever, it sounds like you need a real mechanic now- messing with electronics on these 21st Century cars is risky business-

21,930

OK....let's get back to the diagnosis. What are you using for testing? Voltmeter....Test Light....other? If you have no power between the ALT and the Battery through that fat wire that shorted to ground...then...I suspect the FUSEABLE LINK coming off the battery is blown. Can you take a photo of the Battery Connections and post said photo?

1 people found this helpful.

Using a DC volt meter. And if you can give me a few minutes to go take the photo and I'll send it. Oh and I want to say Thank you for your help/suggestions!!!!

21,930

OK....Check the under hood fuse box. Do you see anything that looks like this(Fusible Link)?

2 people found this helpful.

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