Reverse polarity

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Gen13068, Jun 1, 2026 at 12:48 PM.

  1. Gen13068

    Gen13068 New Member

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    I mistakenly reversed polarity while jumping the 12 volt battery. Now I have no dash lights and the horn honks repeatedly when I try to start. Won’t move out of park to roll it.
    How to recover from reverse polarity? 2002 Prius was working wonderfully until I put the jumper cables on wrong. Sparked when I did that. Regretting doing that. Now how to recover? Thanks
     
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Haven't seen as many posts about this for gen 1, maybe just because there weren't many gen 1s made. These are common posts in gen 2 and gen 3 forums.

    Often, one of the casualties will be the DC/DC main fuse in the underhood fuse box, so checking that wouldn't be a bad place to start. (Of the multiple gen 1 underhood fuseboxes, this is the one on the left inner fender, 'left' meaning, as it always does in a car, on your left when you face the same way the car's pointed.)

    It's a 100-amp fuse in gen 1, and I believe it has legs with bolt holes; it doesn't just pull out of slots. It's mounted in its own little modular island in the top inboard corner of that fusebox, and I think you unclip and lift up that island and you can get to the bolts holding the fuse in. (Don't do this with the battery connected.)

    Sometimes other fuses join in the fun, so there might be more to check, but that's where I'd check first.
     
  3. Trombone

    Trombone Active Member

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