Connecting jump leads to jump-start a car with a dead battery requires following a specific sequence to ensure safety and avoid damage. Here's how to properly connect them:
Steps for Connecting Jump Leads:
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Prepare the Vehicles: Park the car with the working battery (the "donor" car) close enough to the car with the dead battery that the jump leads can reach both batteries. Turn off both vehicles' engines. It's best if the cars are not touching.
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Attach the Red (Positive) Cable to the Dead Battery: Connect one red clip to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery. It is usually marked with a "+" symbol or colored red.
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Attach the Other Red (Positive) Cable to the Donor Battery: Connect the other red clip to the positive (+) terminal of the working battery in the donor vehicle.
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Attach the Black (Negative) Cable to the Donor Battery: Connect one black clip to the negative (-) terminal of the working battery in the donor vehicle. It is usually marked with a "-" symbol or colored black.
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Ground the Other Black (Negative) Cable: Connect the remaining black clip to a grounded metal part of the car with the dead battery. Do NOT connect it directly to the negative terminal of the dead battery. This is to avoid sparks near the battery, which could ignite hydrogen gas that may have accumulated. A good grounding point is an unpainted metal part of the engine block, frame, or chassis.
Summary Table:
| Step | Cable Color | Connection Point | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red | Positive (+) terminal | Dead Battery Car |
| 2 | Red | Positive (+) terminal | Donor Car (Working Battery) |
| 3 | Black | Negative (-) terminal | Donor Car (Working Battery) |
| 4 | Black | Grounded metal part of engine/chassis | Dead Battery Car |
Important Safety Tips:
- Wear safety glasses.
- Ensure the jump leads are in good condition and free of damage.
- Do not allow the clips to touch each other while connected to either battery.
- Double-check the polarity before connecting each clip. Connecting the leads incorrectly can damage the electrical systems of both vehicles.
- After starting the car with the dead battery, disconnect the jump leads in the reverse order of connection. That is, remove the black clamp from the ground on the dead car first, then the black clamp from the donor car's negative terminal, then the red clamp from the donor car's positive terminal, and finally the red clamp from the previously dead car's positive terminal.
What to do after connecting the jump leads:
- Start the donor car and let it run for a few minutes.
- Try to start the car with the dead battery.
- If it starts, let both cars run for a while to charge the dead battery.
- If it doesn't start, check the connections and try again. If it still doesn't start, there may be a more serious problem.
