How to Hook Up Jumper Cables?

You just tried to start your car and, horror, she does not want to start?

Do not worry, Mr. Battery ( it’s me ) is here. Do not go further; I’ll explain everything to you.

Is this the battery?

Your first instinct will most likely be to think that this is the car battery. Here are some things to check before declaring the battery as the main culprit.

• Check if the headlights are working. If they project a dim light, it is probably the battery. If everything seems normal, go your way and visit other articles on this blog. Or check out the excellent blog of Mister Auto.
• Switch on the ignition and test the radio. If you do not get anything, it can come from the contractor.
• Now try to start the car. If you feel jolts or if the vehicle has not started, your battery is probably discharged. If all goes well, the battery is not flat and this item will be of little use (well, read it anyway, it can still serve you).

If you’re still here, your battery needs some outside help to restart. Fortunately, you have boot cables, so I’ll explain how to start a car with these cables and another car.

How to start a car with starter cables?

I am sure that you have seen two cars on the roadside, open hoods connected by electric cables. That’s exactly what we will do.

No, no, do not be afraid, it sounds complicated, but it’s not. Cooking a bouillabaisse is probably much more pointed.

You need:

• A car down
• A car in good condition
• Starter cables (also called crocodile clips ). If you do not know which one to choose, I wrote an article on how to choose a boot 

Come on, here’s a list of steps to follow, in order, please.

• Position the car in good condition in front of the broken car. The two covers must face each other and be close enough.
• Open the covers of both vehicles and locate both batteries.
• Remove the covers from each battery and identify the positive and negative terminals.
• Unroll each start cable. They come in pairs, one red and one black, and at each end have a crocodile clip to connect to the terminals of the battery.
• First, connect one of the red clips to the metal terminal of the plus terminal of the car’s broken down the battery. Plug the other end of the same red clip into the metal terminal of the positive terminal of the running car.
• Next, connect one of the black clamps to the negative (minus) terminal of the broken down vehicle, and finally, plug the other black clamp to a metal part of the vehicle in good condition (e.,g. any bolt, or bodywork).
• Put the vehicle in good condition in neutral, brakes applied. Turn on the engine of the emergency vehicle and let it idle for a few minutes. You can slightly accelerate from time to time. During this period, the faulty battery will recharge gradually.
• Try to start the broken down vehicle. If it still does not start, after turning off the engine, check that the connections between the cables and the terminals are correct, and restart the vehicle in good condition. If after five minutes it still does not work, it will replace your battery.
• If the vehicle starts, congratulations, your battery has recharged a bit. But it is not finished.
• Then remove the starter cables, proceeding in the reverse order of connection. Therefore, first, disconnect the black clamp connected to the ground or one of the bolts of the broken car, then disconnect the other black clamp.
• Same operation with the red clip.
• Replace the covers on the battery terminals.
• Let the engine of the car that has been rescued still run and push the accelerator from time to time. Your battery should be recharged (and if it does not, it’s probably a problem with the alternator )

So, was it so difficult to learn how to start a car with starter cables? There are many stages, of course, but they are all very fast. And be aware that if you are on the side of the road and a person stops, she will probably know how to proceed.

Precautions of use

Even if it is a relatively simple process, there are some precautions of use to be respected to avoid short circuits or even explosions:

• Must always connect red clamps (those between the positive terminals) first.
• Corollary: ALWAYS connect the black clips (negative terminals) last. Otherwise, you risk a short circuit.
• Once the cables are connected, the cars must not come into contact. The cables either.
• Wait for a little before leaving the car in good condition to start again.
• Once the car has failed to restart, do not hesitate to push a little on the accelerator for the battery to recharge well.
• If you have gloves and goggles, consider using them. They have been planned for this kind of situation.
• If you have broken down in the middle of the road, consider reporting your vehicle properly.

Good luck with your next payday. I am convinced that with all the advice I have just given you, the next time you will help someone start their car down, not the other way around!