I got a call from my girlfriend at work, and she told me she went to jump a friend's car and they hooked up the jumper cables incorrectly. The cables were reversed on the starter vehicle.The check engine light came on immediately when she restarted her car. I asked her how long the drive home was and she said only about 2 or 3 minutes, so that doesn't tell me anything about the alternator.


My thought is that either the entire alternator or maybe just the voltage regulator got fried in the process. Tonight I am going to stop by after work with a voltmeter and test the current going to the battery. Does anyone have any other ideas as to what could have happened to cause the check engine light to come on? Thanks!

 

If it is the SES light (service engine soon light) most auto parts stores will read the error code for free. The error codes can help point you in the right direction. If it is the service light with a wrench, that lights up, it means that it is a non-emission related failure. I believe the dealer could scan the error code for you. The battery light is for the alternator/voltage regulator.

 

Take the car down to a local big chain auto parts store. They'll usually check the codes for free. If the car is running and driving normally, it cant be that bad a problem. Could be something as simple as the PCM seeing the reverse in voltage when the jumper cables were installed incorrectly.


So, have the codes read and report what they are back to us.