My Battery Is Dead, Now What?

The Electrical System:
My battery is dead, now what?

Most of us have had to deal with a dead battery at one time or another. Getting a jump usually only takes a few minutes and appears to be straightforward. But did you know that simple mistakes could cause an explosion, damage your battery or damage your ignition system? But following simple step by step tips can help you avoid problems and get you on your way quickly and safely.

Three things to consider:
1. Make sure you don't damage either vehicle
2. Think Safety.
3. Successfully jump the battery

Don’t damage either vehicle:

Check your owner’s manual to make sure a jump won't damage your vehicle. Some vehicles with electronic ignition advise against receiving a jump because it may damage the electronic ignition system.

Think Safety:

1. Be careful not to get battery acid on your skin clothes or eyes. If you exposed to battery acid, wash off the area with water immediately.

2. Before you get a jump, make sure both vehicles are in park or neutral and
the emergency brake is on.

3. If your battery has battery caps (seal batteries don't have caps), it is a
good idea to remove the battery caps. Batteries produce hydrogen gas, when it is allowed to collect it can be explosive if it were ignited by a spark. It is also a good idea not to smoke around the battery. Opening the cap vents any trapped hydrogen gas. Sealed batteries have safety valves that automatically vent any hydrogen gas.

How to successfully jump a battery:

1. Connect the cables:

The positive cable is marked by red clips at either end. The negative cable is marked by black clips and either end. The red clips will be attached to the battery terminals marked by a plus sign (+) . It’s important that the cables are attached in the proper order. Improperly applied cables can damage both vehicles. In addition, be extremely careful when handling jumper cables, they could deliver an electric shock if mishandled.

a. First attach the red clip to the dead battery's positive terminal indicated by either pos or more common plus sign (+)

b. Then attach the red clip to the good battery

c. Attach the negative cable on to the good battery's negative terminal indicated by either neg or the more common minus sign (-)

d. Next, connect the other end of the negative cable to the dead battery's
negative terminal

2. Start the vehicle with the good battery

It is best to let the vehicle with the good battery to run for a few minutes before attempting to start a vehicle with a dead battery.

3. Attempt to start the vehicle with the bad battery

If the vehicle with the bad battery starts, disconnect the cables in reverse
order, be careful that the cables ends do not touch one another.

Generally driving for a few minutes at normal speed will sufficiently recharge the battery.

If the vehicle does not start, inspect the cable connections to make sure they are securely connected to the terminals. In addition, inspect the terminals for corrosion.

A corroded battery terminal can foil attempts to jump the battery. If you see corrosion, then you may be able to wipe off the terminal and reattach the battery cables and start the vehicle. A far battery plan is to use a wire brush to clean the terminal. Again, always use extreme caution when working under the hood and particularly around the battery.

4. Check for warning lights

If the check alternator light stays (some dash lights use a Discharge light) then you may either have a bad alternator or a loose alternator belt. In either case it is advisable that you immediately seek professional assistance.

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Article Pages
1. Electrical System
2. The Battery
3. The Starter
4. The Alternator
5. The Voltage Regulator
6. Lighting
7. Lighting System Basics
8. Interior Lights
9. Voltage
10. Turn Signals and Hazard Lights
11. The Horn
12. Windshield Wipers
13. The Defroster
14. Electrical Symbols
15. Types Of Electrical Circuits
16. Electrical Circuit Defects
17. Introduction To Automotive Batteries
18. Battery Construction
19. Battery Operation
20. Specific Gravity
21. Voltage And Capacity
22. Battery Ratings
23. Testing Automotive Batteries
24. Preventive Maintenance Of Batteries
25. Optical Battery & Antifreeze Tester
26. Measuring Specific Gravity With The Optical Battery Tester

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