Expert: Sean Halliday - 3/5/2007

Question
I have a chance to buy a beautiful 94' Previa LE AllTrac. It is a one owner with 46,000 original miles, always garaged, immaculate auto serviced regularly by a local Toyota dealer. The owner is a neighbor and told me he would sell me the car for $4,500.00!!!
The problem is, he let his grandson purchase and install a new battery. He got the wrong battery and connected it backwards (pos. to neg./neg. to pos.). I installed a fresh battery (correctly) and all of the electrical is out. No lights including: dash, interior, brakes also windows, locks, radio and starting. Everything.
I spoke to his grandson and he said there was no smoke or sparks. He said he connected it, tried to start it and everything was dead so he disconnected it. He said it was only connected for about ten minutes!!?!!
I really want this car. It is a tremendous deal if it doesn't take too much to fix. A quick look at the fuses showed nothing and there are no outward signs of excessive heat. I'm really hoping for some good news. This is the used car buy of a lifetime. I intend to keep and drive this car.
What do you think was damaged and where do you suggest I start looking.
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
  Neil  

Answer
You will need to find the line fuse.Its usually on the firewall near the battery not in the fuse box.This is a heavy type fuse so trace all the wires from the battery.Its 50amp or some are 60 amp and hes probably blown this.It may be a ceramic type and doesnt look like a normal fuse.,some are small black plastic square types.Under the cover you will find the fuse.