There are some things that car owners should know or be able to do. One such thing includes how to reconnect a battery. You may have had your battery removed for repairs or connected to a maintainer over the winter. But when it is time to reconnect it, do you know what to do? Connecting a car battery may seem like something that’s not worth discussing, but the truth is many people don’t know how to reconnect a car battery the right way. Read this article to separate yourself from this group.
Positive first, then negative. That’s the correct order of connecting a car battery to the terminal ports.
While the order of connecting a car battery terminal is simple enough, one can easily forget it and connect the battery in the wrong order. Note that when you are disconnecting a car battery, you disconnect the negative first, then the positive.
Continue reading to learn more about how to properly connect a car battery, as well as battery care and maintenance tips.
Why Does A Battery Need To Be Connected The Right Way?
If a battery is not connected or disconnected properly, you risk damaging the battery and wiring by accidentally short-circuiting the battery. While it’s not always easy to remember the correct order of removing and reinstalling a car battery, it’s nevertheless important to do so in the right order to avoid accidentally damaging the battery or other electronic components of the car.
How To Connect A Car Battery The Right Way?
The right order to connect a car battery is to connect the positive terminal first, followed by the negative terminal. To disconnect a car battery, disconnect the negative terminal first, then the positive terminal. As you can see, the terminals are reversed when you are connecting or disconnecting the battery.
By now, you are probably wondering how to identify the positive and negative terminals of a battery which is easy in most cases. Connecting the wrong terminals of a battery can lead to damage, and this is why manufacturers have made it easy for car owners to differentiate the two terminals from each other.
In most cases, the positive terminal will feature a red protective cover, while the negative terminal will have a black cover. For confirmation, look at the top or side of the battery. The positive terminal will have a plus (+) sign, while the negative terminal will have a minus (-) sign, and this is the confirmation you need to identify the terminals. If, for any reason, you are still confused or unsure about the terminals of your battery, consult the owner’s manual.
How To Correctly Connect A Car Battery?
It’s not enough to know the right order to connect a battery’s terminal. There is a process to correctly connecting a car’s battery after removal, and they are discussed below:
Put On Eye Protection And Gloves
Many people connect car batteries without wearing eye protection and gloves. But this doesn’t mean they are right. If you accidentally connect the wrong terminals, there’s the risk of your battery overheating and spraying some of its content which might get into your eyes. While goggles offer the best protection for your eyes, you can also use traditional safety glasses.
Latex gloves will protect your hands from accidental or unknown leaks. So, it’s always a good idea to wear protective gear when connecting a car battery.
Make Sure The Ignition Is Off And Remove The Keys
It’s important that your car’s ignition is off before connecting the battery. The keys should also be removed from the ignition. This is because there will be a power surge as you connect your battery, and if the ignition is on, the surge could damage some of the electronic parts of the vehicle. Damage can also occur even with the keys just in the ignition despite the ignition being turned off.
Inspect The Battery Terminal Posts For Corrosion
Before connecting a battery, inspect the terminal posts for corrosion or dirt. If you find corrosion or dirt at the terminal posts, use a wire brush to remove it. You may also need a baking soda solution to scrape away rust or old oil. Remember to remove the baking soda solution from the terminal posts with a damp rag.
If you don’t have baking soda, you can also use 100-grit sandpaper. You’ll get the same result. You can also apply a corrosion protection material, which you can easily get at an auto shop, to the terminals after cleaning them.
Inspect The Cables For Damages
Inspect the two cables that connect to your car battery very closely for signs of damage or scraping. If the cables are scraped, you may have to tape them. If they are damaged, they may need to be replaced by your mechanic.
Secure The Battery In Place
Put the battery into the tray and carefully lower it into position. Check that the battery tray is empty before lowering the battery in it. Slide the positive cable into the positive terminal and apply pressure with your hands until the connector lies flat against the battery. If the connector doesn’t slip over the terminal post, you’ll have to use a wrench or ratchet to loosen the bolt on the connector and then try again.
It is easier to use an open-ended wrench on most batteries than a socket. But you can use either of the two to loosen the bolt on the connector.
Then connect the negative cable to the negative terminal and tighten it. Remember, it is positive first, then negative when connecting a car battery. Easy peasy, right?
Start The Engine
After connecting the battery, your car is ready to resume work. Insert the key into the ignition and try starting the vehicle. If you connect the battery properly and the battery has a charge, the vehicle will start. If the vehicle doesn’t start, then it may be a problem of a wrong connection or dead battery. You may have to charge the battery or jump-start it with another vehicle.
Battery Care And Maintenance
A good way to extend the lifespan of your battery and keep it in good condition is through regular inspection and testing. Depending on the model of your car and the type of battery, you may be able to see the level of charge on an indicator on top of the battery. If your battery has no indicator, you’ll need to use a voltmeter or hydrometer if the vents are removable.
The top of the battery should always be clean, dry, and free of grime and dirt. Accumulation of dirt or grime at the top of a battery can create electrical conduction, which drains the battery. Surface cleaning with baking soda, as discussed above, should be done. Remember to remove the baking soda solution with a rag.
If you want to protect the battery from future corrosion after removing the existing one, you’ll have to use a terminal spray which you can easily get from an auto shop. Buy a spray, hold it about 4 inches from each terminal and spray until the connection is coated. Then wait a little bit before reconnecting the terminal.
The terminals, cables, screws, and clamps should also be inspected for damage, breakage, or loose connections. If there is any damage, proper repair should be done.
Batteries that are used seasonally or intended for long storage should be fully charged prior to storing. It may also be smart to use a battery maintainer for batteries that are intended for long storage. A battery maintainer will keep a battery charged during storage by reading the charge level of the battery and supplying power as needed.
