How to Install a Car Battery Cable

A car battery's primary purpose is to provide electrical power to the starter motor to start the engine when the ignition switch is engaged. The battery also provides a constant supply of electrical current to the ignition, lighting and other circuits and acts as a reserve supply of electricity should the power that is being consumed exceed the electricity produced by the alternator. Battery cables are not immune to wear and tear, particularly if not property maintained. If the battery cables show signs of wear, they should be replaced.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wrench new battery cables

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable at the negative battery terminal by turning the nut on the end of the cable in a counterclockwise direction with a wrench. The negative battery terminal can be identified by locating the "---" symbol next to its post.

2. Disconnect the positive battery cable at the positive battery terminal by turning the nut on the end of the cable in a counterclockwise direction with a wrench. The positive battery terminal can be identified by locating the "+" symbol next to its post.

3. Trace the positive battery cable to the starter solenoid. The solenoid is usually located on the passenger's side of the vehicle, close to the battery.

4. Remove the positive battery cable from the starter solenoid. The cable slides over a post on the solenoid and is secured by a nut. To remove the cable, turn the nut holding the cable to the solenoid in a counterclockwise direction, then pull the cable away from the solenoid.

5. Place the end of the new positive battery cable over the post on the starter solenoid, then reattach the retaining nut and tighten the nut by turning it with a wrench in a clockwise direction.

6. Trace the negative battery cable to the cable's ground point, which is usually the side of the engine.

7. Remove the negative ground cable from its ground point by turning the bolt at the end of the ground cable in a counterclockwise direction with a wrench.

8. Attach the new negative ground cable to its ground point by inserting the bolt removed in step 7 through the cable and into its ground point. Tighten the bolt by turning it in a clockwise direction with a wrench.

9. Attach the positive battery cable to the positive battery terminal on the battery by sliding the cable over the post, then tightening the bolt at the end of the cable with a wrench.

10. Attach the negative battery cable to the negative battery terminal on the battery by sliding the cable over the post, then tightening the bolt at the end of the cable with a wrench.

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