Accidental battery cable mix up- 1972 -360V8

[Brian]

Hi everyone, I could use some help on this as I'm completely at a loss.

I picked up a new battery and started the installation. Both of my battery cables are red and I got them mixed up. I first grabbed the negative cable and mounted it on the positive post, then grabbed the positive cable and I barely made contact with the negative post and you guessed it.....threw sparks and all hell broke loose. I immediately pulled the cable back off. Stupid mistake on my part and now I'm paying the price. The result? My truck won't start, it won't even turn over, not even a click. I replaced the starter solenoid and ignition switch. I checked every fuse I can find. I traced wires down looking for a melted wire but nothing. I'm lost. Any guidance here would be greatly appreciated!


Brian

[Jbarnes79]

Check with a multimeter that one of the pins on the ignition switch connector has 12 volts available to it with the switch off. If so, have someone move the switch to the start position and see if 12 volts is available to the small solenoid terminal that activates the solenoid. IIRC neither of these two wires are fused so it should give you a good idea which one of these wires you should check for burned wiring or poor connection.

It may be wise to have your alternator tested to make sure it's good also.

[cep62]

you replaced the solenoid . make sure it's bolted tight , I like to put a ground wire from the battery to the bolt to make sure it's grounded.
You can jump it by putting power to the small stud by the pos side. be careful it will turn over in gear.
A volt meter and test light are your friend.
make sure you have good cables also if you have the clamp on ends those will cause trouble.

[cep62]

Oh. Welcome to our site.

[basketcase0302]

Brian
Hi everyone, I could use some help on this as I'm completely at a loss.

I picked up a new battery and started the installation. Both of my battery cables are red and I got them mixed up. I first grabbed the negative cable and mounted it on the positive post, then grabbed the positive cable and I barely made contact with the negative post and you guessed it.....threw sparks and all hell broke loose. I immediately pulled the cable back off. Stupid mistake on my part and now I'm paying the price. The result? My truck won't start, it won't even turn over, not even a click. I replaced the starter solenoid and ignition switch. I checked every fuse I can find. I traced wires down looking for a melted wire but nothing. I'm lost. Any guidance here would be greatly appreciated!


Brian

The master wiring diagram for the 72' I'm posting here is huge. Being that you hooked up those two cables wrong I'm not sure if this will help you or not?
My first guess, (after the above info which is a good start) is that you might've fried the fusible link that powers the entire trucks wiring from the solenoid.