What happens if you reverse cables when jumping a car?
When you reverse the polarity of the jumper cables, you create a drastic increase in the amount of electrical current that runs through them. As a result, the cables may melt or even catch fire.
Does it matter what order you remove the cables after jump starting a dead battery?
Disconnect the cables in the reverse order: First remove the negative cable from the car you jumped, then the negative cable from the car with the good battery. Then remove the positive cable from the car with the good battery (don’t touch a grounded part of either car with the clamp of the positive cable).
What happens if you reverse the battery connection?
The heat produced by the reverse polarity in the battery may cause hydrogen gas (ignitable) which may explode the battery casing. The cracked case of the battery may provide a way for acid which may melt the sensitive devices and cause serious injuries as well.
Which battery cable do you connect first when jumping?
The jump start cable must only be held by the insulated plastic handles. Important: The red cable is always connected to the positive terminal and the black cable to the negative terminal. First the clamp of the red cable is connected to the positive terminal of the assisting vehicle.
What happens when jumper cables are reversed on a battery?
Damage to the Batteries. Connecting the positive terminal of each battery to the negative terminal of the other battery will result in a huge surge of electrical current between the two batteries.
Why are the jumper cables on my car not working?
The battery cables themselves may be fried and require replacement in order to start the vehicle. The PCM or the main computer in your vehicle may also have been fried in the process but the battery cables are the most likely cause. Even more unlikely but still a possibility is that your starter is even damaged.
What did I do when my jumper cable melted?
The cables are melting!” I ran out and found exactly what she said. One of us turned the van off. I then disconnected the jumper cable leads and threw them to the ground because they were hot. But, the damage was done. The insulation on the jumper cables had portions melted off.
What happens when you hook up a battery backwards?
Usually when the battery is connected backwards, it will short out the charging system. I recommend connecting the battery up the way it should be and start it up. Once started use a meter to check the voltage at the battery. It should be above 12.5 volts dc. If the voltage is dropping, you will need to replace the charging stator.