How do you replace a positive battery cable? How to examine the battery cables? new for 2022

You are watching: How do you replace a positive battery cable? How to examine the battery cables? In amortips.com

Replacing a battery cable can be a difficult and confusing process.

It’s important to replace your battery cables regularly to ensure your car runs smoothly. Failing to do so can lead to decreased performance, corrosion, and even engine failure.

We’re here to help make the process simple. Our how-to guide will walk you through every step to How do you replace a positive battery cable? from identifying the positive and negative terminals to crimping the connector. Moreover, we also help you How to examine the battery cables? Now, let’s start!

Contents

How do you replace a positive battery cable?

Tools:

-10mm socket and ratchet

-Flat head screwdriver

-Replacement battery cables

Step 1: Determine the location of battery cables

Put on your safety goggles and gloves.

When working on a vehicle or truck, it’s essential to wear the proper safety equipment. Car batteries contain a sulphuric acid and water combination that, if ingested, may cause significant injury to your eyes. If batteries are improperly connected, they may burst, allowing the battery’s water/acid combination to enter your eyes.

Wearing latex gloves may make cleaning up after working on the automobile much simpler, but they may not be essential for this activity.

Make sure the vehicle is switched off.

Before starting the procedure of changing your battery wires, ensure sure the vehicle is in park and switched off. Because you will be working with the car’s electrical system, leaving it running may raise your chances of obtaining an electrical shock and perhaps causing damage to the vehicle. Remove the keys from the ignition to ensure that no one tries to start it while you’re working under the hood.

If you have a normal automobile, check sure the parking brake is engaged rather than the car in park.

Determine the battery’s location

The battery will usually be located under the car’s hood. If so, open the hood and locate the battery on the driver’s side of the engine compartment.

In some cases, the battery may be located in the trunk. In this instance, open the trunk and look for the battery on the driver’s side.

Verify the the positive and negative terminal

The battery’s positive (+) terminal will usually be marked with a “+” sign or red in color. The negative (-) terminal will usually be marked with a “-” sign or black in color.

Step 2: Take the old battery out

Disconnect the negative cable first

Using your 10mm socket and ratchet, loosen the negative (-) battery terminal. The negative cable will be attached to the negative (-) battery terminal. In some cases, you may need to use a flat head screwdriver to loosen the terminal.

Make sure to keep the socket and ratchet on hand as you will need to remove the positive cable next.

Remove the positive cable

Using the 10mm socket and ratchet, loosen the positive (+) terminal. The positive cable will be attached to the positive (+) battery terminal. In some cases, you may need to use a flat head screwdriver to loosen the terminal.

Once both cables are loose, remove them from the battery terminals.

Note: In some cases, the positive and negative battery terminals may be reversed. If so, make sure to disconnect the positive cable first and then the negative cable.

READ: How To Patch Holes In Car Body?

Step 3: Installing the new battery

Get the new cables ready for installation.

If there were plastic protection boxes on the ends of the old cables, remove them and replace them with the new ones. Before installing the replacement cable ends, make sure that there is no paint or debris adhering to them. [11] To enable energy to travel through, the connectors on each end of the wire should be bare metal.

To guarantee a proper electrical connection, clean the connector ends of the wires with a steel-toothed brush.

Connect the positive cable first

Make sure the cable is tight before moving on to the next step.

Connect the negative cable

Using the 10mm socket and ratchet, loosen the negative (-) terminal. The negative cable will be attached to the negative (-) battery terminal. In some cases, you may need to use a flat head screwdriver to loosen the terminal.

Make sure the cable is tight before moving on to the next step.

Put the battery in the vehicle.

It’s time to put the battery back in the vehicle now that both fresh wires are in place. Since you return it, take care not to allow the new wires come into touch with the battery terminals, as this might result in a shock. If the battery terminals look to be corroded or rusted, clean the connecting area with a steel tooth brush before reinstalling the battery.

To secure the battery, re-bolt the bracket that keeps it in place.

Make sure you put the battery back in the same position as before, with the positive terminal closer to the positive cable and the negative terminal closer to the negative cable.

Step 4: Test the new battery

After connecting the new battery, start the vehicle’s engine and let it run for a few minutes. This will allow the battery to charge.

Once the engine is off, check all of the lights and electrical components to make sure they are working properly.

If everything appears to be working correctly, you have successfully replace positive battery cable.

How to examine the battery cables?

It is important to know how to test the battery cables. This will help you determine if they need to be replaced. You can test the battery cables with a multimeter.

1. Disconnect the positive and negative battery terminals.

2. Set your multimeter to read DC volts.

3. Connect the positive lead of the multimeter to the positive battery terminal.

4. Connect the negative lead of the multimeter to the negative battery terminal.

5. If the reading is 12 volts or higher, the battery cables are fine. If the reading is below 12 volts, the battery cables need to be replaced.

How much does battery cable replacement cost?

Battery cable repair costs between $305 and $334 on average. Labor costs are estimated to be between $70 and $89, with parts costing between $235 and $246. This range excludes taxes and fees and does not take into account your individual car or region. Related repairs may be required as well.

How long does it take to replace battery cables?

It should take about two hours to replace the battery cables. This time may be shortened or lengthened depending on the make and model of your car, as well as your own mechanical abilities.

What are the reason that positive battery cable has two wires?

The battery terminals are not stock, but two wires to each is normal. The positive wire goes to the starter and one to the power distribution center (PDC). The negative wire goes to the engine block and one to the firewall.

READ: High Beam Headlights Illuminate How Many Feet?

How to differentiate battery cables positive and negative?

The positive battery cable is typically red and the negative battery cable is black. However, it is always best to consult your car’s owner’s manual to be sure.

1. Locate the positive and negative battery terminals.

2. The positive battery terminal will have a “+” sign or “POS” next to it. The negative battery terminal will have a “-” sign or “NEG” next to it.

3. The positive battery cable will connect to the positive battery terminal. The negative battery cable will connect to the negative battery terminal.

FAQs how do you replace a positive battery cable?

What does the positive battery cable connect to?

The positive battery cable is a wire that, as its name suggests, provides power to your car’s computer. The negative battery cable (ground strap or ground cable) does the opposite; it grounded your vehicle’s chassis for stability.

How often do battery cables need to be replaced?

Every 50,000 to 100,000 miles, you should change the battery cable. Because these cables are frequently used by the vehicle, they soon wear down. Also, replace the battery cable as soon as there are indications of damage because they are difficult to mend.

What is the small wire on the positive battery terminal?

Negative battery cables are larger and red. They connect the battery to the starter motor and electrical system. The negative cable is smaller and black, whereas the positive cable is larger and red.

Do I remove positive or negative first?

The order in which you disconnect and reconnect the car battery terminals is important. To avoid damage, always start by disconnecting the negative cable from the old battery first, then follow with the positive cable. When adding a new battery to your car, reverse this process: connect the positive terminal first, followed by negative.

What happens if you connect positive to negative on a battery?

When one battery’s positive terminal is connected to the other’s negative terminal, a large surge of electric current will flow between them. The batteries will then begin to heat up, and a number of chemical reactions will generate a lot of hydrogen. This gets much worse for lead-acid batteries, which are the most popular.

READ: How to fix a door dent in a car? 10 Easy Ways

Where does the positive wire from the alternator go?

Locate the terminal on the alternator called “B,” “Bat” or “Pos.” This is a standard terminal found on all alternators. It’s red and goes to the battery. Because it has to transport a lot of current, it is made of superior gauge wire.

Does the positive cable go to the fuse box?

The positive cable, which is usually red, divides into two large parts. The first stop for this section is frequently the starter motor, after which it goes to a major under hood electrical distribution center and fuse box.

What happens if you remove the positive terminal first?

It can fall over either terminal and the car will not be affected. If you take the positive terminal out first and drop a wrench, it’s possible for it to land on the positive terminal and any earth on the vehicle, resulting in spectacular and potentially deadly consequences.

Can you touch the positive terminal of a car battery?

In reality, a 12-volt automobile battery will usually not shock you under normal circumstances. The math might become complicated, but the primary reason why you can touch the positive and negative terminals of a typical car battery without suffering damage has to do with the voltage of the battery.

Conclusion

In short, how to replace a positive battery cable? Replacing a positive battery cable is not as difficult as it may seem. With the right tools and instructions, you can do it yourself and save yourself some money in the process. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to reach out to a professional for help. Thanks for reading from amortips.com!