How to Change Battery Cables

If your car battery is dead a few days out of the week, but you are positive the battery unit is good, check out the cables. The positive battery cable is usually the culprit. Check for corrosion (a white-blue powdery substance that covers the wire and post), as it will impede the flow of electricity, making it impossible for the alternator to charge your battery. If you find corrosion, dont bother trying to clean it off, just replace the cable.

Instructions

1

Loosen the cable to be replaced with the appropriate wrench and then remove from the battery post.

2

Trace the cable down to the other end. If it is positive (red), it will go to the starter. Negative (black) cables usually go to the engine block to ground out. Loosen this end as well, and completely remove the battery cable.

3

Clean battery post terminals with a wire brush while the cables are off. This will eliminate most if not all the corrosion.

4

Attach the new battery cable to the proper post on the battery, and route it safely to its end destination, whether it be the starter or a block ground. Do not overtighten the terminal; clamp it so it won't move, but not so much it distorts the lead.

5

Attach the other end in the reverse order of removal, and try starting the car. If you have a voltmeter, now is the time to use it. Place the terminals of voltmeter on the battery posts, not the cable ends. Volts should read 13 to 15 volts.