P38A Uh oh..........

Changed offside headlight and side-light bulbs earlier, but side light failed to come out to play. Thought I'd leave it until daylight but then decided to venture out in the dark. BIG MISTAKE!

Removed battery to get decent access to the bulb again, but still didn't get side light to work. Street light wasn't as illuminating as I expected so, rather than mess about in the dark using my phone torch, decided AGAIN to wait until daylight tomorrow. Put battery back and only connected battery terminals incorrectly didn't I? Disconnected as quickly as I could after being blinded by the ensuing pyrotechnics....

REALLY chuffed and relieved when the P38 burst into lifeimmediately on turning the key, but less so when I realised the instruments aren't working, and internal courtesy lights were on and wouldn't turn off. No Radio, no dash display, although instrument binnacle lights up. I've locked the car up, disconnected the battery and left bonnet un-latched until morning.

WHAT A D1@K!

Is there a neutral equivalent of a fuse somewhere on board, or have I likely fried something terminally?
Pointers welcomed...
Down to my last £23 for a week and having spinal surgery on Tuesday, so need a bit of good fortune methinks, NOT expensive remedies....
Totally embarrassified...DailyMike.

Sadly there is a risk that you have done serious damage, electronic components do not like reverse polarity.

Datatek said:

Sadly there is a risk that you have done serious damage, electronic components do not like reverse polarity.

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That's what I'm afraid of, Datatek! Drove for about five miles and most stuff seemed OK...indicators, lights (except RH/front sidelight STILL) and most internal lights went off after a mile or so, except the one above rear n/s passenger door which went very dim, staying like that when car was switched off.. Radio was dead, along with unmoving instruments.
I'll have a play tomorrow morning and hope I can sort it before Tuesdays surgery. I won't be up to much leaning over peering into the engine bay for a while after that!

Have you checked all fuses.....instrument pack on the P38 is fuse 1

Saint.V8 said:

Have you checked all fuses.....instrument pack on the P38 is fuse 1

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Not yet Saint.
After a few minutes driving to see what was/wasn't working, I disconnected the battery. The street lights give out little useful light and, to be honest, I'm in absolute agony with my back and needed to get back indoors. I'll have a check of all the fuses in the morning...thanks for suggesting a starting point, it's much appreciated!

@Jon Dor pop yourself over to Regional LZers and post looking for help, with a link to this thread. Offer up some cake/biscuits/coffee/etc and you might be lucky enough to find someone close by,and lure them out of their hibernation , to help

gold rover said:

@Jon Dor pop yourself over to Regional LZers and post looking for help, with a link to this thread. Offer up some cake/biscuits/coffee/etc and you might be lucky enough to find someone close by,and lure them out of their hibernation , to help

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Cheers, Gold.
I'll see if I've simply blown a fuse or twelve tomorrow morning then, if I'm struggling, I'll try just that. Time's tight as I'm having spinal surgery Tuesday afternoon.
Thanks for your advice.

Jon Dor said:

Cheers, Gold.
I'll see if I've simply blown a fuse or twelve tomorrow morning then, if I'm struggling, I'll try just that. Time's tight as I'm having spinal surgery Tuesday afternoon.
Thanks for your advice.

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Hence, the idea of posting for help. You can watch and learn/supervise, whilst being brew master. Then when you can drive she'll be sat waiting for you

gold rover said:

Hence, the idea of posting for help. You can watch and learn/supervise, whilst being brew master. Then when you can drive she'll be sat waiting for you

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I'm having a CT scan tomorrow morning, followed by Kidney function tests immediatley afterwards so I'm not sure when I'll be available tomorrow. Great advice though. I'll jump on it as soon as I know when I'll be available. I don't want to risk messing someone about... a couple of weeks ago I was hovering around for three hours when a scanner went down.
Many thanks.

Jon Dor said:

I'm having a CT scan tomorrow morning, followed by Kidney function tests immediatley afterwards so I'm not sure when I'll be available tomorrow. Great advice though. I'll jump on it as soon as I know when I'll be available. I don't want to risk messing someone about... a couple of weeks ago I was hovering around for three hours when a scanner went down.
Many thanks.

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Doesn't need to be quick time. Put out a call and see if anyone responds, then chat between yourselves about doing it in the New Year.

Saint.V8 suggested checking Fuse 1. If that's simply blown and I've got instruments again, I'll be a happy bunny. If that doesn't work i'll do as you suggest. Cheers.

First off Jon Dor deep breath calm down and wait for morning. Check your fuses if problem found fantastic, if not get your health sorted first and then call for help. I aint too good with electrics but there are some aces on here who will be willing to help

Rubberknees said:

First off Jon Dor deep breath calm down and wait for morning. Check your fuses if problem found fantastic, if not get your health sorted first and then call for help. I aint too good with electrics but there are some aces on here who will be willing to help

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Thanks for the wise words mate.
Health has been spiralling for years. Tuesday will be fourth spinal op in just over two years. Chilled about it, but was totally avoidable. Shouldn't have tried using street lighting when bent over engine bay. Many thanks. Off to sleep now before I turn into a pumpkin! Mike.

Jon Dor said:

Thanks for the wise words mate.
Health has been spiralling for years. Tuesday will be fourth spinal op in just over two years. Chilled about it, but was totally avoidable. Shouldn't have tried using street lighting when bent over engine bay. Many thanks. Off to sleep now before I turn into a pumpkin! Mike.

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@Jon Dor, how are you doing today?

I would gladly help ,but I`m in Manchester hope the surgery goes well. The car can wait a while until you are better

Mark Piercy said:

@Jon Dor, how are you doing today?

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Was just wondering the same. Fingers crossed , for him, it was just a fuse.

Wouldn't think reverse polarity would be good for the alternator.

I once helped a guy who had broken down. Had an E class Merc at the time. I got the leads out, put them on his, went to do mine ,and he virtually pushed me out the way, saying 'I'll do this'.
Next thing sparks and flames, when I turned on the ignition! The Richard had only put them on wrong way round.
He then says 'oh hope it's ok', and got in his car and drove away. I got off lightly, just my SRS light wouldn't switch off. So took it to a guy who managed to run SRS through something else. No MoT fail. Happy Days

Grr & Gold rover , He's back on the road again !!!!! combination of fuses & door pack rod fell off causing eka code , anyway he now mobile , ive told him hes on three strikes and your out !!!! he's spent two today alone !!!!!! I think his middle name isn't LUCKY , he just likes meddling with it " I mean his rangie " honest ,, I think someone should have bought him a meccano set for xmas ???? but surely he would lose the spanner ,,,, its a good job he's a fellow manc . but he's a nice chap so will always pull nice people outta the **** , ok fellows I wish you all a fantastic new year wherever you may be . all the best Mozz . P.S. my phone is going on divert to the Samaritans over hogmany !!!!!!

mozz smith said:

Grr & Gold rover , He's back on the road again !!!!! combination of fuses & door pack rod fell off causing eka code , anyway he now mobile , ive told him hes on three strikes and your out !!!! he's spent two today alone !!!!!! I think his middle name isn't LUCKY , he just likes meddling with it " I mean his rangie " honest ,, I think someone should have bought him a meccano set for xmas ???? but surely he would lose the spanner ,,,, its a good job he's a fellow manc . but he's a nice chap so will always pull nice people outta the **** , ok fellows I wish you all a fantastic new year wherever you may be . all the best Mozz . P.S. my phone is going on divert to the Samaritans over hogmany !!!!!!

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Happy New Year Mozz, another good deed done