Jumper cables got hooked up backwards

[Th9872]

Hey I hope I’m in the correct place. So our hired hand hooked the jumper cables up backward on my 1990 ranger. I didn’t know until I got in the cab to try start it and smelled burnt electrical components. I immediately unhooked the cables and tried to crank the engine got absolutely nothing. First thing I checked was all the fuses not a single fuse blew. I changed the starter solenoid and now it cranks but still wouldn’t stars so I unhooked a fuel line to see if I’m getting fuel and I was not so like an idiot I went directly to the fuel pump and replaced that still no fuel, I then jumped the harness for the fuel relay and got fuel, I assumed fuel relay was faulty. Did not fix it still no fuel. Inertia switch is in the correct position. Any help is appreciated.
-All fuses are good
-Cleaned every ground I can find
-Fuel pump has been replaced and functions when I jump fuel relay harness
-Fuel relay has been replaced
-I have power at EEC relay on the power terminal at all times (13V) then the key power terminal when I turn key to on (12.9V) then only (.120V) on the last terminal which I assume sends power to fuel pump relay

 

[franklin2]

Ford usually used fusible links along with the fuses. The fusible links are rubber looking things in the wire, usually near or not far from the starter relay. These are the main feeds for the fuse boxes and certain other circuits.

Go back to the starter relay. Where the large battery + cable hooks to the large terminal on the relay, you should have some smaller wires along with it. See if they have a mysterious rubber piece in the wire. When you find these, pull hard on it. If it stretches, it's burnt out. You may have several there and a couple more in the harness near there.

Fusible links are just undersized pieces of wire with special insulation around them so they will not catch fire when the burn out. You can get new link wire at the store, they will cut you off a small piece and you can solder it back in place.

 

[Th9872]

I’m not finding the fuseable links I don’t think. At least nothing that looks like any of the pictures I’ve found of them. There’s connectors I’ll try post a picture of about 5 of them and I don’t see why they are there (could have just kept the wire going it doesn’t make it go into a different harness) could they be the fuseable links?

 

[RobbieD]

There’s connectors I’ll try post a picture of about 5 of them and I don’t see why they are there (could have just kept the wire going it doesn’t make it go into a different harness) could they be the fuseable links?

More than anything else, getting some pics up will help us, to try and help you.

Welcome to TRS.

 

[franklin2]

 

[Th9872]

 

[rusty ol ranger]

View attachment 125148

Those things circled are just connectors.

A fusiable link will look like a piece of wire with a very hard rubber 3D looking rectangle piece that will say "fusiable link" then list amperage.

IIRC theres one that comes off the small wire running to the fender solenoid that hangs by the alternator. I havent poked around that general area in months though and both mine are 1st gens so it maybe different.

Being a 90 doesnt yours have a power distribution box under the hood? Thats where the impotant fuses/relays are if you didnt check that.

Worst case you fried the ECM. Does it start if you hot wire the fuel pump?

 

[SenorNoob]

You can see the distribution box in the upper left of that picture. The cover is off of it leaving the fuses exposed.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Not to mention the power wire to the distribution block looks like it’s toasted…

 

[don4331]

Not to mention the power wire to the distribution block looks like it’s toasted…

Isn't that a fusible link on the power wire just as it goes into the distribution block?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Isn't that a fusible link on the power wire just as it goes into the distribution block?

No… but that wire is blown apart anyway, can’t believe nobody had anything to say about it.

 

[SenorNoob]

It and the wires under it all look kinda scorched....