k_k

Hi all,

I have a 2002 Honda Accord V6. Novice question here.

According to the manual there is a ground wire I need to attach the negative terminal to when jump starting the battery, but I cannot locate where that is.

I needed to jump start my battery today (first time), so I attached the positive terminal to the positive part of the battery, and for the negative I had read in the past that it can be on the engine but I couldn't comprehend how to hook it up.

The only metal part I found was the left side on the - I don't know what it's called, radiator pipe (?) - away from the battery.

Here's a pic with an arrow showing where I attached it - http://i51.tinypic.com/281is3.jpg

(Not my car, found a 2002 V6 pic..)

Anyway, does anyone know if that is a safe place to put the negative terminal in the future, or is there a more appropriate location? Also where is that wire that Honda mentions?

Btw it started the battery fine although I was worried it would damage something.

Appreciate any help, thank you

holmesnmanny

I have jump started many vehicles and never had any problems with putting it on the negative terminal itself instead of on a part of the engine. Just make sure it's only touching the terminal and nothing else.

MAD_MIKE

The negative wire IS the ground wire.
(+) Positive to (+) Positive, (-) Negative to (-) Negative.
That is possibly one of the worst places to attach the negative to while jump starting. On the vehicles with negative ground systems, which is most vehicles, you will want to attach the negative jumper either directly to the engine block or to the negative terminal on the battery.

k_k

Thanks for the replies.

Glad I asked because I had a feeling that location was very wrong.

I always thought connecting the jumper directly to the negative terminal on the battery could cause it to explode.

How do you connect the negative jumper to the engine?

holmesnmanny

On some cars, there's a wire going from the negative terminal directly to the engine and it'll say you connect to that.

redbull-1

Here are the instructions from the owner's manual.

nicolaselias

interesting thread, I was always taught to connect directly to the negative pole of the battery..
Only car I would ground somewhere else was my volvo because it had the battery in the trunk, so under the hood had a positive pole, and a negative metal clamp..
That explains why my accord always has a bracket looking thing next to the engine i could never figure out the use for..

freefall365

A lot of people feel like they are supposed to connect the ground to something metal like part of the engine, rather than the negative terminal... what is the rational for this?

DCFIVER

The battery produces hydrogen gas when it is being charged. It is explosive and hovers around the terminals and vent. sparks from the the battery can cause this gas to ignite and cause the battery to explode.



Only the ignorant and lazy jump start a car with battery - to battery- connections. Use a chassis ground instead.

Cpyro

cause we all know how many ppl die every year from battery to battery car jumping related explosions. Ive never even heard of putting the negative on a different ground instead of the battery till know.

MAD_MIKE

Hydrogen offgases when a battery is being charged, arcing of the terminals when completing the circuit can ignite, and cause an explosion.
People may not die from it, but sulfuric acid will cause chemical burns and if splashed in the eyes, blindness. It can and has happened.
This is why you want to connect the dead car with the negative lead to the block, as any arcing will not be near the battery.
With DC power, voltage drop can occur in rather short runs. Since the negative is the ground, and the starter housing is bolted to the transmission/engine block, rather than adding to length and resistance of the circuit you are creating, you bypass the Negative battery cable and attach directly to the block. And the aforementioned danger of arcing/explosion.

slomofo

iTrader: (1)

DCFIVER

Im sure I could fill the Sun with things you never "heard" of. Your ignorance is irrelevant. The possibility exists, so why play it unsafe?

k_k

Thanks for the helpful and informative replies guys.

Unfortunately I still cannot locate the grounding strap even after staring at the V6 diagram picture for a long time.

I'll check again more carefully tomorrow when it's light out.

DCFIVER

Any chassis ground will do. I usually use the strut tower bolt/stud.

hatchet_honda

FYI : YOU CANNOT START A HONDA WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BY PUSHING OR PULLING IT

good info

k_k

Thanks for the tip. To make 100% certain I understood correctly, that is where the green arrow is pointing to on this pic right? - http://i52.tinypic.com/316lpvq.jpg

(The red arrow was where I connected the negative the first time.)

holmesnmanny

lol you can't start ANY AUTOMATIC CAR by pushing or pulling it

DCFIVER

Yes. You can also use the hood latch, or the red arrow in your picture. Any good ground that is not near the battery.

MAD_MIKE

On the contrary, some older automatics can be push started. My '54 210 PowerGlide can.

holmesnmanny

Ok, I stand corrected then.

You can't push start NEWER automatics.

k_k

I had to jump start my battery again today, I think I need to have it tested. (Or maybe I killed it somehow during my first jump, hope not.)

This time I tried attaching the negative to the strut tower. First time on the center bolt, and when I tried to start the engine it just flickered the lights so it seems it didn't have a good connection.

Then I tried an outer bolt on the strut tower, and when I tried to start the engine it made a strange noise and lights were flickering very fast.

So then I just attached it to the same place on the red arrow and it started up without an issue. One of you guys mentioned that place is one of the worst places but another person said it's fine so I'm still kinda confused.

I couldn't find any other suitable metal place that the jumper would attach to.

When I get it tested I'm going to ask them show me where the "grounding strap" is the manual instructs to attach to. I bought this car used so maybe it's missing.

Also, just to note, I'm using a 900 amp battery jumper from Clore Automotive that I got a long time ago for emergencies; it's not a car-to-car jump.

Edit: Forgot to mention that a strange thing happened when I couldn't start my car today. I also could not shift out of Park at all! Luckily I had the manual in my car and found the page about "shift lock release" method by inserting the key into the tiny slot and that worked. I just hope that's a coincidence and they are not connected somehow.

poorman212

If there isn't enough voltage for the interlock to operrate (dead/weak battery) then you will not be able to shift out of park.

Have the battery tested, replaced. While doing that have the alt checked. Then be sure to clean the ends.