Greetings, looking for a bit of advice aside from my untrained google work.

Feeling lazy and having to go shopping anyway, I decided to let Wal-Mart change the battery in my 2000 Neon today. Unfortunately the technician made a mistake and "did not realize it used a reverse terminal battery" and hooked the terminals up backwards. Needless to say, the car is not starting at all now.

The management of the Wal-Mart took full responsibility for it and informed me that their insurance company would be calling me to talk about them getting it repaired for me. Today being Saturday that will likely need to wait until Monday.

What I'm looking for is a bit of advice on potential damages for this kind of thing so I'm better informed when talking to the insurance company. I'm far from a mechanic so in my brief googling I've found that it's likely the starter/alternator/radio would be burned out, likely some fuses, and possibly the onboard computer(s.) I also saw that some cars have built in safeties to protect the computers in this situation. Does the Neon have these?

If anyone could offer advice on potential problems to look out for and make sure the garage (I'm going to fight for it to be the local Dodge dealership) check for, that would be great.

Also, while this obviously depends on the extent of the damages, being a 12 year old car it's only worth a few grand (and that's inflated Blue Book value) so is it possible this wouldn't even be worth repairing?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Could be everything electrical in the car is now bad. But it more then likely popped a fuse or 2. They may just buy you a new car depending on how bad it is. At least they made the mistake and messed up the car while it was in there possession. For example. I have a friend that had a battery serviced at a sams club. A few days later the battery blew up. He went in ready to buy a battery, they told him he didn't need one and serviced it instead. They deny any fault. This is why I don't take my cars to be serviced where I buy my toilet paper. They have no idea what they are doing despite what they lead you to believe. Take the car to an ASE certified shop next time, then you be sure the mechanic has had proper training in the automotive field. Backwards terminals is a rookie mistake. I would tell there insurance you want the car taken to an ASE certified shop for an estimate on the repairs. They should be more then willing to cover expenses.

 

totally use a certified mech. I bought my dodge because someone reversed jumped the truck and that killed the pcm, along with the alt fuse and a couple others

 

and if they lowball you about the money make them aware the only problem with the car before was a battery. and what a replacement vehichle of the same caliber would cost. because that is what you deserve

 

Thanks for the advice guys!

I_Ride_Neon: That was the biggest reason I didn't freak out about it too much, the first thing the assistant manager of the Wal-Mart did was admit fault. She also wrote in the statement I signed that the technician definitely made a mistake while it was in the shop. The line about toilet paper is hilarious, my dad said basically the exact same thing to me when I told him about it. I should have known better, no excuse. I was just lazy and this is what I get for it

Gertie240: I definitely plan on taking it to the local dodge dealer, its a family business that actually originally sold the car to my father-in-law who later gave it to my wife. They're one of those dealerships you wish you can always find. Good certified knowledgeable techs, actually do their best to help you instead of just sell, etc. The only other thing the car needed was front pads (was planning on changing them later that day) but those have nothing to do with the electrical system so they shouldn't matter.

In-case anyone else has this problem in the future I'll do my best to keep this thread updated so they can know what to expect.

 

Damage could range from blown fuses to damaged components, up to and including, the PCM. Curious how the "tech" got the small negative clamp onto the larger positive terminal post and got the larger positive clamp on the smaller negative terminal (and got it tightened).

 

Ha, I did not realize the terminals were different sizes. Isn't that special of them.

From what they said I think they used the wrong battery. Apparently there's a "26-5" and a "26R-5" for reverse terminals. I may be way off on the numbers but the R was the kicker. I think in a hurry he grabbed the 26-5 without double checking.

Also, when I gave it to them I know I said it was a 2000, (I don't have any 2001 vehicles) but when they brought out the paperwork after informing me they had it listed as a 2001. I have no idea if the different years use different batteries or not, but if so it may have started as a clerical error the tech didn't double check.

From the amount of time I had to wait, and what I overheard from the associate at the TLE desk, I'm fairly certain the one 'tech' working was just swamped and made a mistake in haste.

Edit: Also I thought there may just be some fuses blown and that's it. They didn't say anything, but from the amount of time it was in the shop after they told me "he's putting the battery in now" I suspect he may have actually checked at least the easily accessible ones. Probably so if it was that they could just not say anything at all. When I saw the car I didn't want to touch it at all (aside from removing personal items) so their insurance couldn't accuse me of doing anything that might make it worse or put any of it on me.

 

Here is my 2c on what I would do.

1) Have the car towed - their expense - to the Dodge Dealership you mentioned.

2) have them run a full electrical diagnostic with the PCM in-situ. have them diagnose any and all electrical issues the car may have and write it down as an estimate of repair.

3) Present that to Wally-world's insurance co.

4) In the meantime, Wally-world's insurance co should pony up for a replacement ride.

5) Don't forget to include any time missed at work (if any)for having to deal with this issue. Hit them up for that too.

Only if they balk and give you any bs, remind them that a - you only needed a battery and they screwed the pooch on that one and b - a lawyer complete with a full blown lawsuit costs a whole lot more. Choose wisely.

 

Assuming that the OEM cables are on it still - of course. My car has aftermarket cables, and there is no difference in the clamps at all. It could happen.

That, or the goon hammered them on and or shaved the post to make it fit. I have seen some of these "mods" done before by other idiots before.

 

You can't really reverse the OEM cables due to the way they are wired up (you don't have enough cable to cross them and you can't turn the battery around because they won't reach across to the front either), so I'm assuming they aren't factory. Been some time since I've looked at aftermarket clamps...are they no longer different sizes for + and -? Last time I bought some, they were different sizes.

EDIT: Missed the OP's response after mine. Makes sense how they did it now.