Replace Battery Cables
How to Replace Battery Cables
Your car’s battery is the most important part of the electrical system. It is
the first place to check for problems when electrical issues begin. In addition
to a good battery, the
battery terminals that connect the
battery to the vehicle can go bad, corrode, and break. Therefore, it is important
to check their condition anytime you are under the hood of the vehicle. If the battery
cables or terminals are in poor condition, they must be replaced. Otherwise, electrical
issues will occur. Battery terminals are very important on a vehicle. Always check
for cracking on the insulation and corrosion on the terminals. If problems exist,
you need to take care of the problem before there is an issue. Also, as my first
auto shop teacher taught me many years ago, any time there is an electrical problem
with a vehicle, check the battery
and battery cables first. It is
the source of power for the entire vehicle and can cause a multitude of problems.
You will be dealing with battery acid so wear protective gloves, eyewear and
clothing. Also never touch a car battery with bare hands. The battery could have
residual acid on and around it that is difficult to detect. This battery acid can
ruin clothing and be harmful to eyes and skin.
Tools and Supplies Need to Complete this Job 1. Box Wrenches 2. Wire Brush 3. Clean Shop Towels 4. Replacement Battery Cable 5. Baking Soda (to neutralize excess battery acid)
Instructions Step 1 - Park the vehicle on a level surface, place the parking brake on, and turn the engine off. Step 2 - Open the vehicle’s hood and locate the battery. NOTE: Most batteries are located under the hood. However, they can be other places such as the inner fender on the driver’s side, under the rear seat, or even in the trunk. Step 3 - Once you locate the battery, us a box end wrench to loosen the negative battery cable first. Once the bolts is loose, twist the terminal back and forth while you pull it off. (NOTE: This is for a top post battery. If your vehicle has the terminals located on the side of the battery, once the bolt is loose, it will simply come off the battery). Step 4 - Next, use the box end wrench and loosen the positive battery cable. Follow the same procedure from step 3 to remove it. Step 5 - Now it is time to remove the cables from the vehicle. Follow the negative cable to where it mounts either on the engine block or the vehicle’s frame. Unbolt it from that location and remove the entire cable.
Step 6 - Bolt the new cable to the frame or engine block where you removed the old one from. Step 7 - Next, follow the positive cable to the starter solenoid and unbolt and remove it. Bolt the new cable in its place. NOTE: When routing the new cables, make sure they are both clear if fans, the exhaust system, or any other moving parts. If the positive cable melts through from heat or is damaged from a steel moving part, it will short and possibly cause a fire. Step 8 - After the new cables have been bolted in place and properly routed, check the battery terminals. If there is corrosion on them, take a wire brush and gently clean all the corrosion off. Also, use a shop towel to dust all corrosion from the battery. Step 9 - Now that the battery terminals are clean and the new cables have been installed, it is time to mount them to the battery. Install the positive terminal first and properly tighten it. Step 10 - Next, replace the negative terminal to the battery following the same procedure as step 9.
Written by J. Feliciani / AKA jacobandnickolas - If further assistance is needed, our certified car repair technicians are ready to answer your car questions. For manufacturer specific repair information visit - Car Repair Manuals Related Car Repair Information
Tools and Supplies Need to Complete this Job 1. Box Wrenches 2. Wire Brush 3. Clean Shop Towels 4. Replacement Battery Cable 5. Baking Soda (to neutralize excess battery acid)
Instructions Step 1 - Park the vehicle on a level surface, place the parking brake on, and turn the engine off. Step 2 - Open the vehicle’s hood and locate the battery. NOTE: Most batteries are located under the hood. However, they can be other places such as the inner fender on the driver’s side, under the rear seat, or even in the trunk. Step 3 - Once you locate the battery, us a box end wrench to loosen the negative battery cable first. Once the bolts is loose, twist the terminal back and forth while you pull it off. (NOTE: This is for a top post battery. If your vehicle has the terminals located on the side of the battery, once the bolt is loose, it will simply come off the battery). Step 4 - Next, use the box end wrench and loosen the positive battery cable. Follow the same procedure from step 3 to remove it. Step 5 - Now it is time to remove the cables from the vehicle. Follow the negative cable to where it mounts either on the engine block or the vehicle’s frame. Unbolt it from that location and remove the entire cable.
Step 6 - Bolt the new cable to the frame or engine block where you removed the old one from. Step 7 - Next, follow the positive cable to the starter solenoid and unbolt and remove it. Bolt the new cable in its place. NOTE: When routing the new cables, make sure they are both clear if fans, the exhaust system, or any other moving parts. If the positive cable melts through from heat or is damaged from a steel moving part, it will short and possibly cause a fire. Step 8 - After the new cables have been bolted in place and properly routed, check the battery terminals. If there is corrosion on them, take a wire brush and gently clean all the corrosion off. Also, use a shop towel to dust all corrosion from the battery. Step 9 - Now that the battery terminals are clean and the new cables have been installed, it is time to mount them to the battery. Install the positive terminal first and properly tighten it. Step 10 - Next, replace the negative terminal to the battery following the same procedure as step 9.
Written by J. Feliciani / AKA jacobandnickolas - If further assistance is needed, our certified car repair technicians are ready to answer your car questions. For manufacturer specific repair information visit - Car Repair Manuals Related Car Repair Information