Reverse battery terminals

So I just recently disconnected my battery and brought it in the house to protect it from the elements, the following morning I go outside and put it in my truck, which is a one Tundra two-wheel drive 4.7, not knowing that these trucks have reverse battery terminals. I connected the battery backwards. The truck will start and run for a couple seconds and then die, almost the same length of time the few times I tried to start it. I have checked all the fuses bought a new battery, bought a new main fuse, still no fix. I'm thinking possibly next check the alternator, I'm kind of at a loss here. I do have headlights tail lights cargo light, but no interior lights. If that's of any help, I would greatly appreciate any help that I could get to help me narrow this down.

Jack Maxwell

 

The couple of times we've seen this on the forum, I've never seen a solution. Just a myriad of problems.

Not saying it's impossible to fix. Just saying I don't envy you, and don't have any great advice. If I recall, those two people I'm thinking of were also 1st-time posters, and never bothered to come back and post updates to help folks like you. That's pretty typical for people whose 1st post is a plea for help.

Good luck with finding a solution - sounds like you've taken most of the actions I would've.

 

Gotta start chasing wires with a voltmeter.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/ultimate-tundra-wiring-diagrams-collection.81448/

 

Doesnt look good and also dont envy you either. I have seen this done in a few vehicles by shotty mechanics and people who just goofed/ were ignorant of mechanical abilities, but most of the time, it kills multiple components and/or expensive ones.

If you are 100% sure you checked "ALL" the fuses, both under hood and under dash and it only runs for a few seconds ( which sounds more like a MAF sensor/ air leak issue) I would get a OBDII scanner and see what the computer is saying. While it may not have a CEL, you will be able to go thru all the information like temp, rpm, crank and cam sensors, o2 sensors and others IF the computer hasnt been toasted. If its a high dollar one, you can see the sensor info in real time vise the cheaper ones that refresh every 3-5 seconds, which will make this a little harder.
As of now, throwing an alternator at it would be a waste of time and money. Until the vehicle actually runs, your alternator does nothing. You could on the other hand, disconnect it to rule it out. just keep the main power wire covered so you dont short anything else out.

Good luck!

 

I accidentally did this too, was in a hurry and had a lot on my mind.

I blew the main fuse (20a) and a handful of smaller fuses. These trucks are actually pretty well protected.

As far as what I had to replace exactly, I don't remember, but it took a solid hour to go through and figure it out. I only wiped out fuses though. The fact that it runs, you're probably okay.

 

are the battery cables actually long enough to reach if you have the battery in backward?

 

My ground to body wire wouldnt reach if i turned my battery around unless i really stretched it. Maybe easier if i didnt have the battery tray in and had some wiggle room.

 

They will reach with a 24F battery.

 

We have reverse terminals? I thought the ground was always towards the body?

 

We have reverse terminals if you try the wrong way first.

 

I've never thought of carrying my car battery into the house to protect it. It's a battery for Pete's sake, not a child. If it's going to be that cold, a block heater and a smart charger on the battery will keep things warm enough. I don't deal with the cold here, thankfully, forecast today is 71F. Motorcycle ride today. Back to the OP's question, there is no fusible link at the battery?

 

Maybe OP has a backwards battery? Maybe an ?R? Instead of an F

 

When I was stationed at Ft. Carson, CO., I drove an old Volkswagon bug as my daily drive. When it would get real cold, I would take an extension cord attached to a work light with an incandescent bulb in it and place it right below the oil pan overnight. Never failed to keep the oil/engine warm enough to start the next morning.

 

If it cranks and runs just for a few seconds I wonder if you cooked your fuel pump resistor

 

I just had these symptoms after a bad jump experience (jumper cables crossed) The solve was to replace the blown ETCS fuse.