Jumped incorrectly, not it won't start. Please help!

My mom left her lights on, the battery drained. Somebody tried to jump the car but crossed the terminals and fried the "3.0mm fusible link" wire that connects the starter to the alternator. I soldered in a new wire that was a little larger in diameter (10 gauge) and it worked, for about 2 days. She said the car would turn over slower, and slower with each start up, and there would be a delay before the starter would kick on, then it just wouldn't start.

I just replaced the soldered wire with an OEM fusible link, and replaced her starter with a used one. Same thing, turn the ignition and nothing happens, doesn't turn over or click. The electronics in the car all cut back like they're supposed to, and the battery seems like it should have enough juice to atleast allow the starter to "click," the headlights don't dim when ignition is switched on. I checked fuses IGN 3, IGN 4, and EIS, all looked fine. Any ideas as to what else could be the problem? Thanks!

Auto 99 SL2

with any luck i don't think you did any real damage to the vehicle. have the battery heavy load tested and replace if needed. ohm out/voltage drop test the battery cables. did you remember to reattach the small purple wire to the starter?

with any luck i don't think you did any real damage to the vehicle. have the battery heavy load tested and replace if needed. ohm out/voltage drop test the battery cables. did you remember to reattach the small purple wire to the starter?

Purple wire was connected. I went to start it up again and it will click once. If I turn the ignition off for 5+ seconds, and try it again, it'll click once. I'll take the battery out now. Thanks!

If everything comes on when the ignition is on then the alsternator could be bad. If nothing at all comes on then check the starter.