A costly spark from not disconnecting the battery

I was putting in a new alternator on my landscaping van. I didn't pull the battery cables off first. My wrench hit the positive post and there was a big spark. Now the van's dash lights are all on and the radio won't shut down. I feel pretty dumb since I've done this job before (you'd think I'd learn, right?). Any tips for fixing the electrical gremlins I probably caused? Or stories about your own rushed repairs?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_viola1mo ago

Tbh that sounds scary but might not be as bad as you think. Could just be a blown fuse messing with the dash.

hollys341mo ago

Actually, blown fuses don't usually make the whole dash go crazy by themselves. That kind of wild electrical stuff often points to something bigger, like the alternator starting to fail or a bad ground connection. Wouldn't it be risky to assume it's a small fix and then get stranded somewhere?

robinc251mo ago

Check all the fuses in the main box under the hood first, especially the ones for the dash and radio. That spark can blow them in a second. I did the same thing on my old truck and it fried the fuse for the body control module, which made all the lights stay on. Had to replace a 10 amp fuse and it was fine. What kind of van are you working on?