Mega stupid mistake

I replaced the battery my fourth GEN forerunner and mistakenly hooked it up backwards. when I corrected it the car turns on, but nothing else works. Not the windows or radio. I can’t even put the car into drive. I need a major help from the community. Some of the tiny fuses burned out and I am replacing them but I don’t think those are responsible for some of the major things that are not working like the windows and not being able to put it into drive. is there a main mega fuse in these vehicles that can be responsible for these major things and if so, where is it? I cannot even take the car to a mechanic!

thank you in advance!

 

So the car starter turns over and the engine runs?

 

There's two fuse boxes, one in the engine bay and one inside, check both if you haven't already.

 

time to bust out the manual and find your fuse boxes

 

Yes the engine runs. Also I did check the two fuse boxes. There were some small fuses in the engine fuse box that seemed blown and I will replace them but I don’t think they run the entire dash including a/c. I can’t even put the car in drive.

 

Get the fuses first, it could be just a computer that runs the shift interlock and a lot of things don't require big fuses.

 

It just blew some fuses. Find and replace all. Happy wheeling.

 

If you’re saying that fuses seem blown, that tells me that you haven’t measured them. You need to use an ohmmeter and measure zero ohms on each fuse. If you see resistance, you need to replace that fuse.

 

I will do that and see. Thank you all!

 

It’s the fuse on drivers side inside the cabin. I believe it is labeled ECU 2. Does the ac work? If not it’s that fuse. I blew it once. It controlled the windows,ac, moon roof and rear window. If none of that is working, it’s that fuse

 

Yes! None of that works! Thanks for chiming in!

 

Yeah. No problem. I know what it feels like. We were in Florida when it happened and it was hot. No windows no air. Someone here helped me. Glad I could share that with you. Easy fix.

 

the exact fuse is ECU IG No 2. It’s a 10amp fuse.

 

Unfortunately I changed all the fuses and still nothing has worked. The only thing that turns on inside the car is the speedometer cluster. The windows do not work. The air conditioning or radio area does not turn on and I cannot get the car into gear.

 

Did you just replace every single fuse?

 

How about the main fuse. 140 amp fuse? Did you check that?

 

If all the fuses have been replaced/checked, it might be worth checking if one of the relays was damaged.

 

It's like reversing the polarity on a jump start and yes it's one of those big ass fuses

 

This is a crazy. I checked the 140. It was blown, so I replaced it. But…nothing. Same issue. I don’t know if the new fuse is faulty but no solution. I don’t fucking get it!

 

Have you measured every fuse one at a time? Including the new 140 you just installed?

 

I would get the wiring manual, find help to read the diagrams and check wiring one step at a time before changing parts. Trouble could be damaged wiring at a fuse box.
Edit: If it’s not fuse, checking the wires is next step.

 

Short to ground. Do you have a multi meter?

 

Getting a fuse test light to check all the fuses. I have no idea how to use a multi meter.

 

I will check the fuses and then if nothing works, I will check the wires. Hopefully it will not come to that

 

Ok. When you test the fuse make sure you’re getting the point of the probe exactly on the top metal test points of the fuse. They’re super tiny. If you don’t get it exact you might think it’s bad but it is actually good. I feel for you. I had an Acura max. Went to add a towing wiring harness and cut the taillight wire while the battery was connected. After 3 weeks at Acura they finally found the shorted wire. Cost me 1,200. SUCKED

 

If you can get a tester that allows you to insert the fuse to test it, that would be best, I think. I'm not sure what testers there are. You can get multimeters for $15 and up on Amazon or wherever - even at Walmart or Autozone. Using one to test a fuse is a simple procedure that we can instruct you on. Testing fuses while still inserted into the circuit can also give flaky readings, so I personally would remove them to test.

 

I000% agree with this post. It will take you longer but you will get better test results. With the probe circuit tester it works good when you test in the engine compartment but when you’re up under the dash and trying to do it, it does suck. Regardless, you will eventually need a circuit tester and multi meter. Multi meters are not hard to use. Tons of videos. If you rule out fuses, you’ll then need to start trying to find the short. You need a multi meter for that. I personally think you have a short to ground. I’d go to Walmart and buy the cheapest automotive ground wire and unplug your ground cable from the battery and take the new ground wire and hold it to the battery and to a good ground on the car.

 

$13 iztor DC 24V Automotive Multifunctional Blade and Glass Tube Fuse Tester Puller ATO/ATC ATM Removal Tool Detect and Find The Burned Fuse in The Car Fuse Box

https://www.amazon.com/iztor-Automo...-28-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1

Is this what you mean by a tester that you insert the fuse?

 

I will get a multimeter at walmart today and see how I can use it.

 

Yeah, I didn't have a specific one in mind though. I think your plan to go with a multimeter is the better idea.