Dead Batter = No Engine Block for negative cable

[JFP in PA]

On the negative battery terminal...................

[joshua6060]

Every Battery Jump Instructions I have read tells you not to put the negative on the negative battery terminal........


"You usually want to avoid placing the Negative(-) cable directly on the dead battery to minimize the chance for explosions. "

"Attach the other end of that cable to the engine block of the car with the dead battery. Look for unpainted metal surfaces and be sure it will clear anything moving when the car starts. Do not attach the negative cable to the dead battery itself"

"Connect the other end of the negative cable to metal on the engine block on the car with the dead battery. Don't connect it to the dead battery, "

[dcporsche99]

Hi Josh,

No need to try to get the cable to the engine block. Since the battery is located in the front luggage compartment, just find a metal part of the car that is exposed (preferrably one that is attached to the frame--not onto the amplifier either) and hook it up there. You can find exposed hardware along the frame (if it's painted, just scratch off some of the paint---though, it shouldn't make too much of a difference).

BTW, there has been much discussion about jumping the battery of our cars due to the sensivity of our computer system and the possible expense that one might incur.

IMHO, if the battery is old and completely dead (interior / dash lights does not work) then maybe it's time for a new battery. (If you take this route, do not forget your radio code---usually found on a card that comes with your manual). Another alternative would be to use a trickle charger and the last alternative, IMHO, the jumper cables.

Good luck with that!

[Burg Boxster]

couple of options if you don't want to hook to the neg term....

- use a slow charger on it
- use a fast charge on it
- try to find some unpainted steel body surface to attach it to (i.e. bolt)
- use a cigarette lighter charger
- use a cigarette lighter jumper
- buy a new battery

[joshua6060]

the dash bored lights all come on so i think the battery is probably still good.....

[dcporsche99]

Then, just use a trickle charger ( 6 amperes or less). I have a Schumacher brand that plugs into the wall (you can purchase this at any automotive shop)....as BB mentioned, there is also a cigarette trickle charger (I've only seen these online---like fleabay) available as well.

(Note: If I had to purchase a new one, I would go with the one that plugs into the wall and turns off automatically once the battery has been fully charged).

[Kirk]

My negative terminal on the battery has a short wire that runs to a bolt just forward of the battery. That's a good ground point. I simply connect my battery charger to that bolt and the positive terminal and put it on a slow charge.

[blue2000s]

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.