Jake_65_65

Recently I did the head up ass thing of installing a battery backwards and I even tried to start it. Cold + Dark + Hurry = Mistake, well lesson learned.

We recently had a cold snap 0' and below and I did not run my truck much at all for about two weeks. I went to run some errands and while I was parked with the engine running the truck started dying. Running bad, backfiring, headlights dimming. So I tried to make it home (>1 mile) and she just limped along for a little bit then died completely. When anything like this happens I generally just replace the battery first because it is usually due to be replaced and it is the culprit a high percentage of the time with various vehicles that I have owned.

So I returned a few hours later with new battery in hand, slapped her in there backwards and while doing so noticed a small amount of smoke coming from the alternator. At this point I figured my alternator was toast and was probably the reason why it died, but figured I could still drive the short trip home on just the battery. So I tried starting it and the starter turned over great, but no fire.

Well finally I had realized my head up ass mistake and installed the battery correctly. After I installed the battery correctly the truck started right up, but no electrical activity except for the back light on the clock, no headlights, taillights, radio, gauges, nada.

I get home park the truck and go to sleep. Well I went to work on her this morning and while pulling her into the garage noticed most (if not everything) of the electrical components started working again.

Here is where I am at now:

1. All(most) fuses checked and are good, and I did not find any that were blown.

2. I have not replaced the fusible link on the + battery cable yet, but it does not looked to be fried I will replace it, but I believe I have to get this from a dealer(correct?). Is there another fusible link near the alternator?

3. The only things that I can find that do not work are the "open door" ringer/bell and the aftermarket radio that was there when I bought.

Any help would be greatly appreciated specifically with what would smoke near the alternator.