theqaz

I have made a big mistake with my 1989 Toyota Camry. I had a bad water leak, which I thought was coming out of the engine block or water pump. I removed my alternator to get a better look at things but when I was trying to prise off a plastic cap, I touched the screwdriver to a metal contact on my alternator and there were sparks and then my radio died.

Both the battery and alternator are new (2 months). My headlights still work, but the radio is dead, and the car is dead - won't start. All you can hear is a relay clicking when you try to start it.

I knew that I should have taken it to my mechanic from the very beginning, but you do dumb things when you are broke and tired. Right now the car is stuck in my driveway and I just want to get it running so that I can take it to someone who knows what he is doing.

Any ideas on what might be wrong, what have I fried??

fabb

Sorry about your sparks. Suspect you have blown a fuse or two. Check the positive batt cable, I think there are 2 or 3 built in under the plastic cover by the battery clamp. Also check the fuse/relay boxes on the drivers side under the hood (I am trying to keep my 91 and 94 Camrys straight in my head, forgive me). Of course there is a fuse panel in the drivers foot well. Most likely that's all you've done.
FABB