986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post - Dead Batter = No Engine Block for negative cable

blue2000s · 02-01-2008, 09:30 AM

When you touch the negative jumper cable to the car, it can make a small spark because it should be the last wire connected to the car. The reason it's recommended to connect to a location other than the battery terminal is to make sure this little spark is far away from any potentially explosive gasses generated by and residing near the battery.

Use a strut bolt. Don't use the bolt that holds the negative cable to the chassis, it's right next to the battery. Don't use any other location that's right next to the battery.

Jumping and charging are very different operations. If you're charging your battery (which is better to do if you're not stuck somewhere), disconnect the battery from the car, attach the cables to the battery, and plug the charger into the wall.

02-01-2008, 09:30 AM	#9
blue2000s Porscheectomy Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 3,011	When you touch the negative jumper cable to the car, it can make a small spark because it should be the last wire connected to the car. The reason it's recommended to connect to a location other than the battery terminal is to make sure this little spark is far away from any potentially explosive gasses generated by and residing near the battery. Use a strut bolt. Don't use the bolt that holds the negative cable to the chassis, it's right next to the battery. Don't use any other location that's right next to the battery. Jumping and charging are very different operations. If you're charging your battery (which is better to do if you're not stuck somewhere), disconnect the battery from the car, attach the cables to the battery, and plug the charger into the wall. Last edited by blue2000s; 02-01-2008 at 09:37 AM.