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With the key in the off position, just remove the negative cable from the battery first. You won't hurt anything, but you will lose the radio programing code. To reconnect it, start with the positive cable.
...unless it's a positive ground. That's probably way before most here were even born ('50s and earlier cars/tractors), but they're still some out there.
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Originally Posted by Mike McCoy
With the key in the off position, just remove the negative cable from the battery first. You won't hurt anything, but you will lose the radio programing code. To reconnect it, start with the positive cable.
If you have the TheftLoc feature enabled, you will need the four digit code to get the radio working again.
The special order has to do with the laws of electricity and grounding. If you don't disconnect the ground first you could easily send sparks a flyin and someone could get hurt.
Last edited by jraschke11; Nov 15, 2008 at 04:33 AM.
If you disconnect the positive cable first its most likely you'll create a spark. Same thing if you reconnect positive last. It most likely will spark.
Normally the spark won't cause any problems but, if there is gas fumes or the battery is leaking, you could be surprised finding yourself waking up in a hospital after the explosion.
I've seen and heard one battery explode. It was HUGE! Sounded like a grenade going off. You don't want to risk that by sparking the positive cable/post.
Yup, I blew up a battery doing that on an AMC Pacer on Superbowl Sunday, 1977...(Broncos were playing)...I remember it WELL!!!!...It knocked BOTH lenses out of my eyeglasses....Ive never made that mistake again
Blew up the battery just by turning the key and attempting to start my '84 VW GTI about 20 years ago. I thought someone was gunnin' for me! It blew the hood up about an inch releasing the safety latch and leaving a nice dent in there as well. Battery acid all over the place, broke the cable release too. What a joyful experience!!
Regarding the battery cable removal sequence, I once welded my wrench to a brake line trying to disconnect the positive cable first. It burned right thru the line starting the brake fluid on fire. Blew it out quickly tho.
You knew auto batteries made great welders, didn't ya'??