Is my inverter fried? What to do next?

Firstly, check for blown fuses. You will most likely have some. After replacing those fuses that were blown due to the bad jump, go ahead and cry. You'll feel better.

If your car still doesn't start, then know that the cheapest option would be to purchase a used inverter as a brand new inverter costs about as much as the car does at this point.

 

If replacing all the burned fuses (don’t forget the not so easy to find ones) doesn’t fix it. And you do need inverter used one is good since they are not wear item. They really only break either by jump with incorrect polarity or by driving too long with failed inverter pump (warning lights on).

PS. Is there really reverse polarity switch in jump start pack? Why? That just sound like an accident waiting to happen.

 

OP, just curious: what's your portable battery pack?

 

Hmm, there is no "reverse polarity" switch as you stated in the OP rather it's just a warning light you have the cables wrong. Without reading the manual, I would assume this power pack won't allow charging/boosting to occur until the polarity is correct.

Therefore, I would check the voltage of the 12V battery at rest; better yet, remove and take it to an auto parts store that performs battery testing.

 

yep its a warning light to tell you not to turn the power on you have the wires backwards..

replace blown fuses,pray,jump correctly,pray some more, order new invert from e bay if needed..pay someone to install it, jumping is the simple part of auto repair it gets a lot harder

 

You can remove them and examine for a break or discoloration. I think an ohm meter would help too. The fuse box covers typically have a diagram as to which is which, though it's pretty cryptic. 3rd gen has a fuse which is sorta built into the under-hood fuse box base I think, has a thick white cable running to it. Someone got to it (after a similar incident, if I recall correctly) and had to half remove and take apart the fuse box for access.

 

First just turn on the headlights. No headlights: check the big white long fuse with clear cover in the black fuse box on the drivers side under the hood. The fuse lead will look blown open. Thats the big one...if that one is blown usually the Inverter is damaged also. Also there's a 100 amp fuse in the battery post assy mounted right on top of the 12 volt battery itself and usually the DOME fuse blows too.

And yes that reverse polarity is a light on your jump pack if illuminated red is to warn you that the jump leads are backwards so don't turn the pack on