reversed battery polarity - please help

[gnaw_divad]

Hello fellow Solaraguy members,

I'm a little embarrassed to say but the title spells it out. My friend and I were changing out my HID's and took out the battery to access the driver side bulb. We were all finished and my friend put the battery back in but since I have an optima, the battery looks reversed and he installed it backwards. Before I could stop him from connecting the battery it was too late. There was a little bit of smoke from the igniter box and we got the battery off right away but it was already too late.

So here's my question: My car will start, the headlights work. However, nothing else does. The RPM does not go up when the car is started and stays at 0. The radio, blinkers, and pretty much everything else is dead and the car will not go into gear so it is not drivable. I'm assuming it is a fuse but was wondering if anyone could help pinpoint a certain fuse or issue with the state the car is currently in.

Thank you in advance for your help.....

-David

[chriscarter]

Year and model?

Engine and trans?

Start with the main fusible link - a rubber-covered piece located in the smaller of the two positive battery cables (the one that does NOT go to the starter). Use a test light or voltmeter to see if you get 12 volts on both sides of it. If that's good, move on to the fuse/relay box under the hood.

If automatic, it won't go into gear because the brake pedal interlock is not receiving power, along with the instrument cluster (no tach).

Again.......without more specific vehicle and symptom details, those of us who may want to help don't have enough info.

To what are you referring as the igniter box?

[gnaw_divad]

Thanks Chris, I appreciate your help..

It was the 100 ALT fuse that blew. Changed it out and it also blew the 2 fuses in my amps but got it up and running. I'll make sure to share additional information about the car in my next question, which I will post in just a few. Thank you.