6. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose
or missing insulation. If they do, you could get a
shock. The vehicles could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some
basic things you should know. Positive (+) goes to
positive (+) or to a remote positive (+) terminal
if the vehicle has one. Negative (−) will go to
a heavy, unpainted metal engine part or a solid
engine ground.
Do not connect positive (+) to negative (−)oryou
will get a short that would damage the battery
and maybe other parts too. Do not connect
the negative (−) cable to the negative (−) terminal
on the dead battery because this can cause sparks.
7. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery.
Use a remote positive (+) if the vehicle has one.
8. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it
to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery.
Use a remote positive (+) if the vehicle has one.
9. Now connect the black negative (−) cable to the
negative (−) terminal of the good battery. Use a
remote negative (−) if the vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch anything until the
next step. The other end of the negative (−) cable
does not go to the dead battery. It goes to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine part or to the remote
negative (−) terminal on the vehicle with the dead
battery.
10. Connect the other end of the negative (−) cable to
the remote negative (−) terminal, on the vehicle
with the dead battery.
11. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for a while.
12. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery.
If it will not start after a few tries, it probably needs
service.
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