{
WARNING:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engine is running.
5. 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 (+) will go to
positive (+) or to a remote positive (+) terminal if
the vehicle has one. Negative (
−
) will go to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (
−
) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to negative (
−
) or you
will get a short that would damage the battery and
maybe other parts too. And do not connect the
negative (
−
) cable to the negative (
−
) terminal on
the dead battery because this can cause sparks.
6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the dead battery. Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
7. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it to
the positive (+) terminal of the good battery. Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
8. Now connect the black negative (
−
) cable to the
negative (
−
) terminal of the good battery. Use a
remote negative (
−
) terminal 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 a remote
negative (
−
) terminal on the vehicle with the dead
battery.
9. Connect the other end of the negative (
−
) cable
at least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the dead
battery, but not near engine parts that move. The
electrical connection is just as good there, and the
chance of sparks getting back to the battery is
much less.
10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for a while.
11. 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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