Positive battery cable routing

TEEOHDOUBLED

MEMBER
1999 SAAB 9-3
2.0L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
132,900 MILES

Hi guys. I desperately need to replace the positive battery post and cable assembly. It is frayed at the ends and has separated from the cable and wires. I bought the whole cable which has three contact points. It's more involved than I thought. I want to do this safely and confidently, so I thought I'd check with you.

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,200 POSTS

Hi,

If you purchased an original equipment part or a direct fit, simply connect it at the same locations. I would recommend having the negative battery terminal disconnected when doing this.

Now, I looked at the power distribution schematics. It does show three locations. Two of the connectors go to the under-hood fuse box and one goes to the alternator. Take a look at the schematic.

Please let me know if this helps or if you have other questions. Note, if the cable you removed doesn't have the same design, there could be a few different reasons, so let me know.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below. Note, the pic was one page long. I had to cut it into two pics to make it readable. I did overlap them so you can follow from one to the next.

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Tuesday, October 26th, 2021 AT 6:26 PM

TEEOHDOUBLED

MEMBER
60 POSTS

Hi Joe. This doesn't really help me because I don't know how to read schematics. Photos and step-by-step instructions of how to access the area are more helpful to me. I can see where the connections are to be made but I was hoping someone had a write-up of what to remove in order to access the contact points. There is very little space in that engine. FYI, the cable I removed has the exact same design. I have connected the first point at the fuse box. I can see two more in my vision, and the third goes around under the engine. I don't know how to access these areas.

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Tuesday, October 26th, 2021 AT 8:16 PM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Just to jump in on this. We don't have a set of instructions on this vehicle for this battery cable.

Unfortunately, that is one of those parts that they figured the mechanic would just figure it out based on how they are removing the old one.

So, if you look at the wiring diagrams that Joe provided, you will see there are three connection points that you are seeing on the cable.

Those connections are for the starter, alternator, and fuse box.

Take a look at the attachments below and you will see these connection points.

I labeled the picture of the cable so point one goes to the fuse box, point 2 is for the starter and the last is the alternator.

I included the replacement process for the starter and alternator so that you can see where these points connect to.

Please let us know if you need more info. Thanks

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Wednesday, October 27th, 2021 AT 7:51 AM

TEEOHDOUBLED

MEMBER
60 POSTS

Thank you, guys, so much. I think this is enough to figure it out. My challenge will be access being outside and, on a dirt, /rock pavement. I need to do this to be able to start the car and drive it onto ramps at least to start the radiator project.

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Wednesday, October 27th, 2021 AT 8:07 AM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Totally understand and I think we have both been there. Please let us know what issues you are having as you work through it, and I am sure one of us will be able to figure something out with you.

Thanks