How to Wire a Battery Disconnect Switch

Battery disconnect switches are small, heavy duty switches designed to disconnect a vehicle's battery from the vehicle's electrical system. This technique is used as a deterrent from auto theft since the vehicle cannot be started when the battery disconnect switch is off. These switches also make it easy to disconnect the battery during maintenance. Wiring a disconnect involves adding the switch between the battery and the vehicle frame.This requires a second black battery wire.

Things You'll Need

• Battery disconnect switch
• Black battery cable
• Drill
• Screwdriver
• Socket wrench

Instructions

1. Find a spot in the engine bay near to the battery to mount the switch. Use the drill to drill pilot screw holes. Once the switch is secure, remove the end of the black battery cable that connects to the engine block using a socket wrench.

2. Connect the end of that black cable to one of the two terminals of the battery disconnect switch. Take the new black battery cable and connect one end to the second battery disconnect switch terminal.

3. Connect the remaining end of the new black battery cable to the engine block. Test the battery disconnect switch by turning the switch to the "Off" position. Try to start the vehicle. The vehicle should not start. Turn the battery disconnect switch back to the "On" position. Try to start the vehicle. The vehicle should start this time.

References

• Mgexperience.net: Battery Disconnect Switches