A4 electrics

[rokit]

Hi all, I recharged my battery on my 96 a4 an accidentally connected it the wrong way round because I was in a hurry, It was only connected for a few secs but now I cant start the car.
When I turn the key there is 1 click but then nothing, tried jumpleads and still the same.
What am I likely to have Broke? looked at fuses but couldnt see any blown

[pauloliver]

Thats very odd, that should just blow the fuse on the charger? So there really shouldn't be a problem with the car. Are all the connections to the battery ok? Why wasn't the battery good enough to start the car before? I presume it tried to turn the engine beforehand?

[rokit]

Thats very odd, that should just blow the fuse on the charger? So there really shouldn't be a problem with the car. Are all the connections to the battery ok? Why wasn't the battery good enough to start the car before? I presume it tried to turn the engine beforehand?

The car had been stood a while so the battery was flat, I charged it fine, just put it in the wrong way round and connected the terminals back to front, didnt actually connect it just pushed the -ve connection on to the +ve pole, then I realised what i had done

[rokit]

bump!

[Marc97]

If you have only connected 1 lead to the battery, it wouldn't (shouldn't) make a circuit and therefore shouldn't blow anything. I noticed your post was a while ago so did you fix this? If so, what was it, if not, just try a known good battery from another car which will start before the battery is removed.
You also said it had been stood a while. It is possible that the starter might have stuck, try giving it a tap on the solenoid with a hammer.

[rokit]

I bought a new battery and it started straight away, I think the old battery must have been dead so I came out pretty lucky

[anthonyendsor]

You are very lucky! Dad mistakedly fitted a new battery the wrong way round once (don't ask how, I think he's as embarassed as an engineer could possibly be lol). Blew the fuse on the back of the stereo (which when refitted- halfords I think- someone broke it so it won't ever release from the dash...) and destroyed the alternator! Unsurprisingly was a very costly mistake to make- had to drive it to the specialist swapping batteries with my Mum's car, only for the so called Audi specialists to make a mess under the bay, damage the weather seals and bent the sill where they jacked it up with an unprotected trolley jack!!

Lucky indeed!!!