How to Jumpstart a Vehicle Battery the Right Way
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- Опубликовано: 4 июл 2024
- Sooner or later, you will need to jumpstart a vehicle with a dead battery. Here’s the correct and safe way to do it.
#batterycharge #jumpstart #jumpstarter #chargingcable
There is a simple sequence to attach jumper cables when attempting to bring the charge level up in a “dead” battery to where it will start a car.
“Dead” batteries are rarely completely without charge unless the battery hasn’t been used for several seasons, is very cold or frozen, or has been shorted out or significantly damaged in some way.
For this reason, be careful with the “dead” battery, as there may be enough energy in it to give you a good shock!
There is a significant amount of energy that is being transferred with charging cables, so having quality cables is important. Light-gauge cables can overheat and melt the components. We saw this happen to someone once! Not good. Pay for better cables and be safe.
Charging cables are used to add current to the battery to a level that it has enough power to start the vehicle, and once started, to remove the cables and allow the charging system of the vehicle to bring the battery back up to full charge.
Red cables and clips designate “hot” or “positive.” Black cables and clips designate “ground” or “negative.” The posts on a battery may have “+” or “-” symbols with positive and negative names. The ground or negative side of the battery will go to the ground using the vehicle’s metal framing. The positive/red side will go to electrical components, including the starting system.
Here’s the right sequence to jumpstart a vehicle:
Be sure the donor car is turned off.
When handling the cables, ensure that each end jaw does not touch any of the others.
Attach the red cable clamp to the non-working battery’s post or cable clamp. If you find the wiring clamp is loose and rotates on the post, clean the post and inside of the clamp and reinstall, tightening sufficiently. Then affix the red cable jaw to the post. A good way to remember where to start is “red to dead.”
Attach the other end of the red cable to the working battery post.
Attach the black jaw to the ground/negative side of the working battery.
Attach the black jaw to a metal component (make sure it’s metal - not plastic!) on the non-working vehicle.
Start the working vehicle and let it idle.
Start the non-working vehicle and let it idle.
Remove the cable jaws in reverse sequence.
Drive the vehicle that needs charging for about 15 minutes to assure the battery adequately charges.
There you have it! Remember to carry your jumper cables with you, you never know when you’ll need them or when you can help someone in need.
Just Do It Yourself! 
Хобби
Thanks for the video! I have jump-started quite a few vehicles over the years and in several instances, the no-start was caused either by a corroded terminal and/or a loose terminal that just needed tightening.
Good stuff!
Also it's a good idea to check the owners manual. My wife has a hybrid and the recommended ground point is in a bit of an odd place. My 2017 Jeep also has automatic stop/start so it has TWO batteries and a dedicated set of lugs for jumping. I haven't traced it out but I suspect the lugs go to the auxillary start/stop battery.
Alan, that's a great point. There are certainly exceptions like you mention or specially set up equipment. Based on this, it's likely we'll make another video on the subject down the line. Best, DFJ
Thanks Jay
i have an older tractor with a positive ground battery setup. If i was to try and jump the tractor battery with a battery box, how should i attach the cables?
Thank you very much for all your videos
Glad you like them!
Thanks 🙏🏾
You’re welcome 😊
Bad advice. With modern vehicles you only want one running at a time . Shut off donor vehicle before attempting to start dead battery. With both alternators pumping through the cables you can fry the modern electronics.
You are correct, good advice
Clearly, he doesn't read comments or care about correcting his bad advice, which is why I unsubscribed.
How modern though. I mean I have a 2012 and a 2017. My kids have a 2008 and a 2010. I havent had to boost for awhile, and the last time I did it was in my garage with a battery charger booster, so i didnt have that worry
Can you provide a link or place to buy hose cable you got there?.. Save us the hunting to find some good thick coated cables like that. Thank you.
Great stuff. I hate car makers not using a red positive cable. At least use a red terminal. Wouldn’t be hard to connect to the wrong polarity otherwise.