HOW TO JUMP A CAR, CHANGE YOUR BATTERY, AND CHECK YOUR ALTERNATOR Ana Rodriguez Joseph Rosenzweig Dakota Stonebrook Kyrstin Snyder Sam Tjahjono TECM 2700-Terry 9:00-9:50 am Team Instructions Project 4/18/2014
Table of Contents Introduction... 1 Tools & Safety Precautions... 2 How to Jump Your Car... 3 How to Change Your Battery... 7 How to Check the Alternator... 13 Conclusion... 15
Introduction Does your car have any of these issues? Car fails to start Battery light comes on Cabin lights fail to turn on Radio fails to turn on Keyless entry remote transmitter fails to work If you experience any of these car problems, then your car battery may have a problem. This set of instructions will guide you on how to jump-start your car and inform you of what you should do next, depending on whether your car starts or fails to start. If your car starts, the battery could still have damage and you may need to replace it. If you replace the faulty battery and your vehicle still fails to function properly, then you may need to check your alternator and take further action. 1
Tools & Safety Precautions Jump Your Car Tools: Precautions: Jumper cables A car with a functional battery During this process, you could come into contact with battery acid. Make sure that you avoid getting any battery acid on your skin. Change Your Battery Tools: Precautions: Eye protection Wrench (metric or standard, depending on car model and year) Rubber mallet (optional) Mechanic gloves New battery This procedure could expose you to battery acid, which can burn your skin. Check Alternator Tools: None Precautions: The alternator might feel hot if the car engine has run recently. Leave the car hood open for at least an hour before touching the alternator to ensure a cool temperature. 2
How to Jump Your Car Tools Needed: Jumper cables A car with a functional battery Opening the Car Hood 1. Make sure the car engine is turned off and that the keys leave the ignition. 2. Pull the interior hood latch, which is normally located beneath the steering wheel on the driver s side of the car. 3
3. Open the car hood by releasing the latch under the front of the hood. Helpful Hint: A flashlight may be necessary to locate the exact position of the latch. 4. Prop the car hood open with the hood lever. 5. Repeat steps 1-4 for the second car. Attaching the Jumper Cables 1. Attach negative jumper cable to negative post on the drained battery. Helpful Hint: The black cable signifies a negative charge, and the red cable signifies a positive charge. The positive terminal will look red in color. Usually a plastic cover with a positive symbol (+) protects the terminal. The negative terminal will look black in color or lack any identification. 4
2. Attach positive jumper cable to positive post on the drained battery. 3. Repeat steps 3 and 4 on the functional battery that is in the working car. Jumping the Drained Battery 1. Start ignition of working car. 5
2. Run the working car for 5-10 minutes. 3. Attempt to start the engine of the car with the drained battery. If the car starts, then the battery received a charge, but you may still have a bad battery and will need to change it. Continue to the next page on how to change the battery. If the car fails to start, then the battery failed to receive a charge, and the next step consists of checking your alternator. Skip to page 13 for these instructions. 6
How to Change Your Battery Look for any battery acid or corrosion Avoid allowing your wrench to touch.both posts at once Tools Needed: Wrench (metric or standard, depending on car model and year) Mechanic gloves (preferred) New battery Removing the Stabilization Bar 1. Make sure your car is off and the keys leave the ignition. 7
2. Use wrench to loosen the nuts located at either end of the stabilization bar, which will rest across the top of the battery. 3. Place nuts in a safe location and remove stabilization bar. Removing the Terminals and the Battery 1. Use the wrench to unscrew the nut securing the positive terminal. Place nut in a secure location for reassembly. Look for any battery acid or corrosion Avoid allowing your wrench to touch.both posts at once Front of Car 8
2. Remove the red positive terminal from the positive post. 3. Use the wrench to unscrew the nut securing the negative terminal. Place nut in a secure location for reassembly. 4. Remove the negative terminal from the negative post. Terminal Post 5. Pull the battery straight up and out. NOTE: The battery may feel heavy. 9
6. Set the battery aside in a safe and dry place until you dispose of it properly. Helpful Hint: You can dispose of drained car batteries at your local fire department, solid waste facility, or car professional. 10
Installing the New Battery 1. Insert the new battery onto the battery tray. 2. Reattach terminals to their respective posts. 3. Locate the nuts and use the wrench to tighten the nuts on their respective terminals. 11
Reattaching the Stabilization Bar 1. Place the stabilization bar back in its original position. 2. Locate the nuts and use wrench to tighten the nuts to re-secure the stabilization bar. After you complete these steps, your car should function properly again. If the car fails to start after completing these steps, re-read the Installing the New Battery section and make sure all steps reached completion. 12
How to Check the Alternator Tools Needed: None Precautions: The alternator may feel hot if the car has run recently. Locating the Alternator 1. Locate the engine block. See image to the right for the location of the engine block. 2. The alternator is normally located on the left side of the engine block. The surface of the alternator might feel.hot 13
Checking the Alternator 1. Attempt to turn on your car. 2. If the car tries to start but fails, then the problem lies with the alternator. Helpful Hint: If the alternator appears damaged, it will emit a distinct burning smell and make a high-pitched grinding sound. 3. Take the car to a local mechanic for further inspection. 14
Conclusion After performing the steps in this guide your car should once again function. However, if your car is still malfunctioning, take the car to a mechanic for further inspection. AutoZone, O Reilly Auto Parts, and many local mechanics have access to equipment that can quickly diagnose your vehicle s malfunction. Additional information exists online or within the Yellow Pages. Helpful Contact Information Walmart Tire & Lube Express (Battery Problems Only) 1515 S Loop 288 Denton, TX 76205 (940) 484-1717 All About Imports, LLC* 896 S. Woodrow Ln. Denton, TX (940) 566-2125 J & M Automotive* 2727 N. Elm St. Denton, TX (940) 382-6042 Strande s Garage* 706 E. McKinney St. Denton, TX (940) 566-2156 * Better Business Bureau Accredited 15