jpromee

Well, for your future info, the mechanic confirmed the jumper cables were connected correctly. Its good to know since my father in law and I both have MSEEs. The alternator, a wiring harness, and a master fuse had to all be replaced to restore function.

Father in law owns an RX300, claims the battery died and had to jumpstart it. So he connected the jumper cables, disconnected one to check something and then reconnected it. When he reconnected it, the horn started going off, steadily, not the alarm beeping sound. So he disconnected it and found that 3 of the larger amperage fuses had blown, so he replaced them. He can start the car, but that is it. No radio, no lights, no indicators, it won't sense the brake is depressed to allow the gear shifter to move. He can start it and let it run in his driveway, but that is it.

He is an electrical engineer so I have a hard time believing that he hooked the jumpers up backwards. Anyone have any ideas or diagnostic recommendations?