How To Disconnect A Car Battery To Reset The Computer
Now lets see how to disconnect a car battery to reset the computer. For this thing, you will have to locate the car battery.
The next thing you want to do is to remove the positive terminal. This is how you reset a car computer. Loosen up the clamp and remove it. Leave it like this to sit for 5 minutes and then plug the battery back in and tighten up the clamp. After this, your computer has successfully been reset.
Check the radio and all the accessories if they are working well. If they do, mission accomplished.
Locate The Positive And Negative Terminals
This is one of the most important steps. The positive terminal is marked with a “+,” and the negative is marked with a “-.” Some batteries have plastic caps covering the terminals that will have to be removed for you to gain access to the battery cablesthe wires connecting the battery to the rest of the vehicleand the cable clamps that you will have to remove to disconnect the battery.
How To Clean The Battery Terminals
Corrosion can damage the battery terminals over time. Greenish residue on the terminals indicates corrosion. Clean the terminals as part of the task of changing a car battery.
- Use a wire brush and a solution of baking soda and water to clean the battery tray and terminals. Dry everything completely.
- Do not install a car battery if there are any damp parts.
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Reasons Why You Would Want To Do This
Now before we learn how to disconnect car battery, lets learn what could be the possible reasons why you would want to disconnect the battery in the first place. What are the possible reasons for this action that you plan to do? Lets elaborate.
The first and most obvious reason is probably that you want to reset the car computer. A lot of people have trouble with the check engine light flashing for no reason and they just want to do a quick fix.
And can it get simpler than removing the positive terminal and letting the car computer reset? Sadly, though, this doesnt always help and in most cases, you will get a check engine light again. Only proper diagnostics could solve the matter permanently.
The second probable reason that someone would like to disconnect the car battery is in order to keep it for winter storage. Imagine that you have a car that you dont drive a lot and keeping your battery safe for the winter might be an excellent idea.
Since in wintertime car batteries usually suffer the most and often tend to fail. But how to disconnect car battery for storage? Well, thats what we are going to cover later in the article.
And the third probable reason si that the car battery simply doesnt hold power and you want to just replace it with a new unit. You dont need an unreliable car battery that could leave you stranded somewhere on the side of the road.
Clean The Battery Tray And Battery Cable Connector
Once battery removal is complete, youll want to clean the battery tray and cable clamp or connector for future use. Do this irrespective of if youre installing a new car battery or just taking the car battery out for a recharge.
Clean the battery tray and connectors of any dirt and corrosion, then spray it with an anti-corrosion compound.
Always make sure each battery cable is secured out of the way. Dont leave them hanging loose from your engine bay.
Whats next?If you plan to install a new battery or put back the current one, reverse the entire process:
- Secure the battery with the holding mechanism before reconnecting the terminals
- Apply some anti-corrosion grease on each battery terminal and connector
- When reconnecting the car battery, connect the positive terminal first, then negative
Note: Disconnecting and reconnecting a car battery isnt difficult and is something you can do yourself with a little bit of care and attention. However, always get a professional to handle the task whenever youre in doubt.
Now that you know how to disconnect and remove your car battery, lets go over some FAQs.
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Whats An Easy Way To Replace The Car Battery
If your car battery fails, the battery warning light or check engine light will probably illuminate on the dashboard.
But theres no need to panic. RepairSmith can help you sort out your battery issues and fit in a new battery if required.
Whats RepairSmith?RepairSmith is a convenient mobile vehicle maintenance and repair solution. Here are some excellent reasons to keep us in mind:
- Expert technicians execute your vehicle inspection and servicing
- Online booking is convenient and easy
- Competitive, upfront pricing
- All maintenance and fixes are conducted with high-quality tools and replacement parts
- RepairSmith offers a 12-month | 12,000-mile warranty for all repairs
Car battery replacement costs will vary based on the cars make, model, and location. For an accurate estimate of the cost, fill out this online form.
Things To Consider Before You Disconnect The Battery
Now before we learn how to disconnect car battery, lets learn more about the things to consider before you disconnect the battery. And frankly, there is a lot to it. Lets elaborate.
As you probably know, car batteries have electricity in them. This isnt a strong current but for sure can harm you. Whenever you are trying to manipulate a positive terminal cable you need to make sure that you dont have any metal on your hands.
Like a watch, a ring, or another metallic object. Because the positive terminal comes into contact with metal that doesnt have ground, it will electrocute you. So, beware of this.
The next thing you need to pay attention to is to make sure that you dont work under bad weather. This means that you need to make sure that you are not touching the terminal with wet hands and is not raining on the battery.
This could cause electrocution as well, in addition to this, it could cause a chemical reaction that will rust out the battery terminals and reduce the contact between the cable and the terminal.
The third thing is to learn how to safely disconnect a car battery. Thats what we are going to cover in the following chapter in depth where we will elaborate on this procedure in detail.
And the last thing to consider will be the risk of losing your radio. Some radios have protection and whenever you unplug the battery, your radio will stop working and will require you to enter a code.
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Disconnect Battery Negative Cable
It is a good practice to always disconnect your negative battery terminal first, to minimize the risk of sparks that can lead to car electronics damage and battery explosion. Once you have located the negative terminal, use the wrench to free the nut that tightens the terminal. Turn the wrench counterclockwise direction.
Once it is free, you can proceed with your hands if you know how to disconnect car batteries without tools, which entails gently wiggling off the cables. Remove the nut but ensure you put on gloves. If your vehicle uses a double battery, the same procedure applies, but you will have to disconnect the jumper cable after you have disconnected the negative terminal.
In any case, if youre working on your cars electrical system, you have to disconnect car battery negative only. Theres no need to disconnect both cables.
Find Your Car’s Battery
The second step is to locate the battery. Most vehicles have the battery safely tucked under the hood. Press the hood button or pull the lever to open the hood. You will find the button near the steering wheel but below.
If the battery is not in the hood, chances are it’s tucked in the trunk of your car. However, first, counter-check this information on the owner’s manual. In addition, you will find recommended steps to gain access to the battery.
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Which Car Battery Terminal To Remove Positive Or Negative First
Again, identifying the order between positive and negative first when removing the battery can be somewhat confusing. The cables are not mere wiring that can be randomly removed when disconnecting a battery.
Therefore, carefully remove the negative battery terminal first before the positive terminal. If you disconnect the positive terminal first before the negative, the wrench you use in removing the positive cable may touch the cars body or the engine block and trigger a severe spark capable of damaging the battery.
In that case, simply follow the reverse order of connecting the cars battery. In other words, while the connection procedure starts with the positive terminal, the disconnection procedure begins with the negative terminal. For more guides, I recommend you check how to safely disconnect the car battery.
Determine The Size Of Wrench You Need To Loosen The Terminal Nut
Take a visual inspection of your vehicle battery and the terminals. Ascertain visually the wrench size youll need to unbolt the nuts. You will be required to have a couple of wrenches to perform the job, based on the space available to maneuver the wrench.
A single wrench is enough to get the job done if the terminal uses a single bolt, but if its a bolt and nut, then you will need two wrenches. Most battery cable clamps have 10mm bolts. Therefore, you should use a 10mm flat wrench to disconnect the terminals. A set of socket-wrench with the same-size socket will serve the same purpose as well.
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Why Disconnect Negative First
If you fail to remove the negative connection from the battery first, you put yourself at risk of an electrical short. As an example, if you were to drop a metal tool on the positive terminal and it also touches anything metal on the vehicle, you could create a circuit.
This problem will short your battery. It can also give you one heck of a shock. Thats why the negative cable should always be the first off and last back on.
However, its also just as important that the connectors dont touch each other or anything else while you have them disconnected. Some people choose to use a plastic zip tie or another item to attach them temporarily somewhere out of the way. Just make sure you dont let them touch anything made from metal.
Once you are ready to reinstall the connectors, you can remove them from the zip ties. Remember to install the positive cable first and always end with the negative. Give both connectors a strong wiggle to ensure that they are properly seated for the best connection.
Dont be alarmed if you see a small spark when you put the negative cable back on. This just indicates that you re-established the electrical circuit.
Which Battery Cable Should Be Removed First But Installed Last
What’s the proper procedure for removing and installing a battery cable on an automobile to avoid damage? Let’s find out!
Whether you need to jump start the car or its time to replace a battery, you must know the proper way to disconnect and reconnect the cables. Which battery cable should be removed first but installed last? If you dont get the answer right, you could put yourself in danger.
In this guide, we look closer at the reasons to take the negative cable off first. We also help you identify the two battery cables and describe in-depth why this step is essential.
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Removing And Maintaining The Battery
Which Car Battery Terminal To Connect Positive Or Negative First
Discerning the correct order between positive or negative first when connecting a battery can be confusing without a proper guide. So, heres the answer connect the positive terminal first when connecting a battery before the negative terminal.
The BIG QUESTION is why connect the positive terminal first? It is simply due to the safety it provides in the connection process.
Connecting the negative terminal first before the positive can trigger a big spark or arc through you when the spanner or wrench youre using to tighten the positive cable gets in contact with a metal surface on the car.
So, to avoid sudden electrocution or fire outbreak, carefully attach the positive cable to the positive terminal first before fixing the negative cable in place on the batterys negative terminal.
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Do I Always Have To Replace A Dead Battery
The simple answer, most of the time, is no. The majority of the time when you have a dead battery, a simple jumpstart to recharge the battery will do the trick.
Oftentimes, a battery will die if your car has been sitting inactive for a long period of time or perhaps you left an interior light on by accident. As long as the battery can still hold a charge, it does not need to be replaced.
However, if you notice that your battery is dying frequently and no longer holding a charge, it is probably time to replace the old battery.
Can I Just Disconnect Negative Terminal
In order to disconnect the battery, all you have to do is remove the cable from the negative port. Do not let the negative and positive cable ends touch under any circumstances.
How to disconnect a car battery to reset the computer?
How to Disconnect a Car Battery to Reset the Computer. Wait five minutes for the diagnostic information to be erased. Install the positive battery cable and then the negative cable. Program any radio or security codes following the manufacturers directions.
Why wont my Volkswagen start after replacing the battery?
Wondering why your Volkswagen wont start, even after youve replaced its battery? The answer is simple: The immobilizer needs to be reset. What is an Immobilizer?
How long should I let my car sit after connecting battery?
Oh, and the steering wheel light will come on, but once you drive like 20 feet or so, the light will turn off, nothing to worry about on that one. I normally let my car sit for a few minutes running after connecting the battery, so that may give the computer time to re-adapt.
Is it safe to leave a car battery plugged in?
Not so fast. A car battery will naturally self-discharge at a rate of 5-15% per month with the negative cable disconnected but is the best option for long-term parking if you cannot hook it up to a charger. Leaving the battery hooked up will drain it at 20% or more per week!
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Installing The New Battery
Before placing the new battery in position, ensure that both terminals and the cables are rust-free. If they are rusty, you can clean them with water, baking soda, and a wire brush.
Next, lower the battery onto the battery tray with the terminals in the right position, and clamp it into place. Now connect the new battery in the reverse order, connecting the positive terminal first then the negative. Make sure that the battery is secured in place!
What Does The Car Battery Do
The primary battery function in the car is to provide a spark to the starter to crank the engine.
The car battery also provides power for every electrical component in your car from the headlights to the onboard computer.
When your car is running, the alternator recharges the battery.
But your battery runs on its own stored charge when the engine is off. This is why its essential to avoid unnecessary drain from any electrical system when youre not running the car.
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How Do You Reset A Volkswagen Passat Battery
Leave the key in the ignition with the battery on and the engine off for an hour.In this case, you need to perform a cold reboot, which can be done in the following steps:
What battery terminal Do I disconnect to reset computer?
Disconnect the negative battery cable and then the positive cable with a combination wrench. Clean the battery posts and terminals with the post and terminal cleaning tool, so you have a good connection when youre done.
How do I reset my VW computer?
1) remove both the Positive and teh negative battery terminals from the battery. 4) stick key in ignition and turn to ignition on and leave in this position for 30 seconds to allow the newely reset computer to re-learn the parts of your vehicle.