Q: How do I jump start a car with another car or truck?
A: With the vehicle that has the good battery running at idle, attach the red (positive) cable of the jumper cables to the positive (+) terminal of the battery of the car or truck that has a good battery. Now attach that same cable to the positive (+) terminal of the car or truck with the bad battery. Now, attach the black (negative) cable to the negative (-) terminal of the car or truck with the good battery. Now attach that cable to a ground on the car or truck that is being jump started. IT IS NOT ADVISABLE TO CONNECT TO THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL OF THE DEAD VEHICLE’S
BATTERY. IF THE CONNECTION IS BAD YOU CAN DAMAGE THE GOOD VEHICLE’S
BATTERY – OR CAUSE OTHER UNWANTED DAMAGE. Wait about ten seconds, then attempt to start the vehicle with the dead battery. If you get a cranking sound, but it does not start, turn off the ignition key and wait 30-seconds while the failing battery gets a bit more charge. Now, try it again. Repeat if necessary, but not more than three times. If the dead vehicle doesn’t start, it might indicate a more serious problem that should be checked by a qualified mechanic. NOTE: Don’t be too confident of the red and black wires on batteries. Sometimes they are installed backwards. Always check for the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals by looking on the battery itself.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, June 6th, 2007 at 7:17 am and is filed under Automotive: General, Automotive: Maintenance.
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