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Blown computer from jump?

BruddahJeepah

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Looking for advice/insight/rant? - technically this is regarding a JK, but I don't think it's too niche of an issue and this forum seems pretty responsive.
2018 Wrangler JKU - 56,000 miles

tldr: Roadside assistance jump started my dead battery and now my computer is toast.

Story time: I neglected to shut my door all the way, didn't realize it and hours later it killed my battery. Once I realized it was dead I utilized my insurance's roadside assistance to come give me a jump start. I had the hood popped already so the tech pulled up, attached the cables, asked me to turn it over, and left immediately after. probably was out of his vehicle for 2 minutes max. I did not see him hook up the jump pack as I was walking around the back of my jeep to get to the driver door. I mention this because I can not be 100% sure that he didn't connect them backwards and then fix it while I was walking around. Once it turned over I immediately got out (wasn't even sitting in my car, just leaned in to turn the key) to talk to the tech. He disconnected the cables and said to let it run for a few minutes and left. Once he drove his towing rig away from my jeep I realized my seatbelt alarm was going off like I was driving unbuckled. Hopped in and saw the dash lit up like Christmas.
-Hot Oil message
-Traction control
-Check Engine
-Hill decent
-Tire Pressure
-Driver and passenger seat belt

It was after hours so I hopped online to schedule an appointment at the dealership. Couldn't get one the next day but got one the morning after. Dealership was only 5 miles and I figured I could make it there just fine because I was able to back it out of my driveway. Hopped in the morning of the appointment and once driving I realized that it wouldn't shift gears so I was stuck driving in first at 25mph.

Dealership diagnosed with a fried computer likely caused by an "incorrect jump". In all, a $2,700 fix - mostly in diagnostic / labor. I reached out to my insurance company and they are not confident that the claim would go through because they will likely not be able to prove it was caused by the jump - there are no arc/flash marks on my battery terminal. Towing Co claimed they won't cover anything because if their tech fried my computer or reversed the jump then the car wouldn't have even turned over. I reached out to the roadside assistance company my insurance is contracted with and waiting for a call back on Monday, likely will be my only feasible option.

I think I'm SOL here, but any advice/knowledge is much appreciated.
Would an "incorrect jump" fry my computer?
Can you even jump a car backwards?
Coincidence?

Thanks for any / all help!
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mjg4xe

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In the JL’s, the Christmas tree lighted dash is usually a sign that you just need a new battery.
 

Philly_

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I had a ton of odd dashlight/electrical issues that inconsistently plagued me for months in my JKU, and ultimately rendered the vehicle undrivable as it stopped cranking the starter with every error code in the book popping up on my scan tool, and none were related to the root cause.

Turns out the clamp to connect to the ground terminal was ever so slightly cracked and was no longer establishing a solid connection no matter how tight you cranked it down.

I ended up replacing the terminal clamp, and that jeep never had another electrical issue for the rest of the time I owned it, and the second owner owned it, before it was unfortunately totaled this past spring from an accident.

Anyways, I would clean/check/tighten your battery terminal connections, and if that doesn’t work, unhook the battery and let the jeep discharge overnight to see if that will allow the computer to reset. Electronics suck, but sometimes you get lucky and it’s an easy fix.
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