Electrical issue

[Jpaz]

Hello all new to the forum. So I have a 2016 Sierra the other day my wife was helping her sister jump start her car well they hooked up the cables backwards first it wouldn’t start up and all the lights were dead inside, I replaced the large multifuse at the battery with a good used one. The truck started up after that but since then I have no electric steering the interior lights dnt work, the backup sensors have some kind of error and the puddle lights stay on. Not sure where to start any help would be greatly appreciated! 

[silveradosid]

i would try disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes and then reconnect and see if the computers  resets

[Jpaz]

I actually removed the battery when I  replaced the fuse I left it out for a few hours and that didn’t help 

[Supreme Pizza]

 

 

I would start with checking every single fuse in the truck. Your owners manual will list the locations of them all. Then I would check all the fusible links (if there are any). After that, I would buy a handful of relays and start swapping them out and switching around ones that have the same part number. 

 

If none of that is successful, you are running low on options. I suppose its theoretically possible that the battery was damaged in some way. You might try swapping it out for another one that you have laying around. 

 

Beyond that, you probably damaged some wiring or a circuit board. If your not getting any OBD2 codes, you will need it take it in for a diagnostic. 

 

Also, I'm sure that you already know this, but for those of you that don't: Car batteries can explode. They can be extremely dangerous if they are not handled properly. I would say that your wife is very lucky that she did not get blasted in the face with shrapnel or sulfuric acid. The acid can dissolve your eyes in 30 seconds, causing permanent blindness. Some damage to the wiring on your truck is a very small price to pay for that mistake. 

 

 

Here is a link that may help you resolve the problem with the vehicle: 

 

https://drivinglife.net/what-happens-when-you-jumpstart-your-car-the-wrong-way/

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jpaz]

I checked all the fuses under hood and inside they are all good that’s why I’m stumped on why things like the dome lights aren’t working. I will try the relays out next but not sure on fusible links without a wiring diagram and yes she is very lucky that didn’t happen 

[Dnt]

The puddle lights staying on bothers me more than anything, that suggests a meltdown and short internally in a fuse block. After all fuses are checked and "double checked" your only choice will be to pull the fuse block and check the back side for meltdown issues. The reversed connections must have been for more than just a few seconds!!     

[Jpaz]

Not sure exactly how long but it wasn’t long at all the arc scared her and she called me, I will check the fuse box a little later today see what I come up with 

[Jpaz]

But even then not sure how that would take out the steering 

[Supreme Pizza]

12 hours ago, Jpaz said:

but since then I have no electric steering

 

 

   If you have electric steering, it could be a fuse or other wiring issue. If you have hydraulic power steering, then it could be one of the fluid pressure sensors. 

[Jpaz]

It’s electric steering but I dnt see a specific fuse for the electric steering

[Supreme Pizza]

11 minutes ago, Jpaz said:

It’s electric steering

 

   There could be a variety of problems. The steering system must have an electric motor of some sort. Could be fried. 

[Supreme Pizza]

I would think that your steering system would have a direct link to the battery, so that if the engine stalls - you don't suddenly lose your steering assist. I doubt that there would be any voltage road blocks like fuses or fusible links to protect the system. I have no idea how your steering system works though. I have only worked on manual and hydraulic systems. 

[Jpaz]

Yea that’s what I’m trying to figure out but without a wiring diagram it’s a little difficult 

[Supreme Pizza]

https://www.amazon.com/Chevrolet-Silverado-Chilton-Automotive-2014-16/dp/1620922606/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1532815531&sr=1-2-fkmr0&keywords=2016+silverado+chilton

[Jpaz]

So I figured I post an update for future reference to anyone the lighting issue was a bad bcm and the rack did burn up in the process of the battery shorting. It’s all working good now