jumper cables shorted , now can't start car without jump
 

i was waiting for someone in my car and i think i used up all the battery.

i never jumped the car before so i tried to jump. but the positive jumper cable slipped and touched the negetive terminal for a good 10 secs. the cable melted for a bit but i pulled it out somehow.

Then i jump started the car successfully, but now the car won't start without a jump.

if i leave the jumper cables for a bit , i think it charges the battery somewhat , and i can start the car 2 or 3 times. Then i n ed to jump again or let the battery charge using the jumper cables.

Not sure if i damaged the alternator or battery or its just a fuse.

any help would be appreciated.

Thank you

Your main fuse is probably blown, check out the fuse box and see if anything is blown.

Thanks , im not sure which fuse box to check. and which number

You just need a new battery.

Thanks. why do you think that i need a new battery . just don't wanna buy a new battery if its not going to fix the issue

There can be several things wrong.

As per s2krazyyy, you may have blown a fuse. Fuse locations are in your Owner's Manual (you can download a PDF from NissanUSA if you didn't get one with your Z).

You may have burnt out the alternator/regulator. You can check this with a voltmeter.

You may have damaged the ECM. No good way for you to check.

You may have burnt up some wiring. Check with a volt/ohmmeter.

As per cv129, it may be the battery. Put the battery on a charger and see if it will take and hold a charge.

Taking a second look, it was a haste suggestion. Please ignore and refer to others. Their diagnostic approaches make more sense.

more than likely it will be the battery, rapid discharges like that can damage them

Thanks. how can i check if its the bad battery. i do get get battery symbol on dashboard.

Most auto parts stores test them at no charge.

If you have AAA, they can send their battery guy out and he can test it

Buy or borrow a multimeter. Volts at battery when vehicle is running should be 14-15 volts if the charging system is working. Above 12 volts when engine is off (close to 13 with a new battery).

Edit: The battery can still be bad if it passes test above but the test will usually give you a good indication of condition.

You're lucky that you can still start the car. As other stated, you probably should start with the battery, it should be at least 12.4v or above without turning on anything. It should be close to 14v when the engine is running (alternator charging).

The fact that you can still start the car when the battery is charged up a bit, your fuses are probably fine. Fuse is binary, it is either on or off. Alternator/regulator don't come in until the engine is running. I suspected that the internal of the battery is damaged when you shorted the cable clamps together.

Consider yourself very lucky if a new battery fixed it.

Best case you discharged the battery and it needs to be driven for an extended period till it gets fully charged or remove the battery and charge it up.

Worst case you damaged the battery and it can't hold a charge or has reduced capacity in some way.

It's not going to be anything else from what you described.