What if your car uses AC, Max?

Wiseacre!

 

I always look for bolt-on gator connectors instead of the semi-sorta-maybe-crimped on ones. That is the first clue to getting a good set. Crimp ones are typically so poorly/cheaply made that after only a few uses (and being thrown in the trunk) rust and lose connectivity or the spring gets sprung, etc. Don't hear much about acid eruptions into the face or battery hydrogen gas explosions nowadays with the "sealed" batteries. Used to be living up in icy conditions after parking the car and it getting cold at night you often needed to call the towing company to come give you a "hot-shot" jump to get started on an otherwise good battery.

 

My Sisters Volkswagen Jetta has the 2. Terminales Inside to Driver Side Door where the Hinge is.

Everybody uses them to Jump the Car.

I never Understand why they do not just Clamp the Jumper Cables to the Battery Terminal?

 

I never Understand why they do not just Clamp the Jumper Cables to the Battery Terminal?

That's safer for people who don't know what they're doing.

 

I have encountered batteries that used bolt on side terminals that were not at all easy to access. Must have had the cables bolted on before the battery was clamped into the box. So hard to access that the negative went to the frame while I tried to jam the positive on the tiny bolt head. Never saw one with terminal access in the door jamb or even knew they had them.

 

It would be nice if car manufacturers would standardize on something like Andersen Power Pole connectors for jumper connections. It would greatly simplify the process and make it safer.

 

You know, I might just set up my cars with APP connectors and cables terminated on one end in them. That would be a nice project.

 

So the Volkswagen Jetta Battery does not have the 2. Terminals Connected to the Car like other Car Batteries?

Is that why they have them in the Driver Side Door?

 

So the Volkswagen Jetta Battery does not have the 2. Terminals Connected to the Car like other Car Batteries?

Unless it's some strange battery that's part of the car, it's going to have to have a positive and negative terminal.

Just because there are connections to the battery terminals in the door, doesn't mean there isn't a standard battery somewhere. My BMW has the battery in the trunk, but there are terminals in the engine compartment that can be used for charging the battery or jump starting the engine.

 

Is the car a hybrid? (Yes, there are Jetta hybrids.)

If so, it might be like my Prius and not use the 12V battery for starting. That would explain why thin jumper cables could be used.

Bob

 

I am Watching Videos on YouTube about Replacing a Car Battery and they Say you use a 10 mm Ratchet to remove the Cables coming from the Car going to the Battery.

I never New the Cables coming from the Car and going to the Battery had Bolts?

Do all Cars use Bolts or do some use Screw Types?

 

I am Watching Videos on YouTube about Replacing a Car Battery and they Say you use a 10 mm Ratchet to remove the Cables coming from the Car going to the Battery.

It depends on the vehicle. 10mm doesn't work on my Chrysler. It would work on my Explorer and BMW's.

Don't get me started on the large number of idiots on YouTube. I was looking for info on how to lift the tabs holding headlights on a Ford Explorer. I just wanted to find out how much force I could put on it before something would break. I came across a video where a guy was trying to replace the driver side headlight. He removed the battery and battery tray so he could get at something. He looked like a real idiot to me because even I knew that you just needed to slide two tabs up. The trick turned out to spraying WD-40 on them if they're stuck, not use brute force and risk breaking something.

 

Batteries with side post on my GM trucks are a 3/8 - 16 thread and a 5/16 hex head bolt. Last time I was at the parts store I bought a few flat ratchet wrenches for a few bucks each made for the task. As to jumper cables? Like many here I rolled my own using welding cable and high quality clamps. I fluxed the cable stripped ends and used a solder pot to tin the ends.

My neighbor has I think a Buick and the battery is actually under the rear seat, go figure?

Ron

 

I think the OP is confused about the jumper cables - could the OP post a photo or some lines from your sister's Jetta owners manual that discusses built-in jumper cables.

 

I am sorry I am ok now with how to use Jumper Cables.

Now I was Watching Videos on how to Replace a Car Battery?

And yes some times I do not like to go on YouTube.

This is the Video I was Watching.
And Her Says He is using a Ratchit to Remove the Black and Red Cables from the Car going to the Battery.

So are the Cables Held on with Bolts?

 

He is using a Ratchit

Didn't watch the video...

A ratcheting box end wrench wrench is convenient, but you can use other tools.

So are the Cables Held on with Bolts?

For car batteries, yes, nuts and bolts.

 

I made up my own from welding cable and heavy duty clamps.

Likewise, about #6 or #4 fine stranded cable. And long enough to reach from a car behind to a car ahead.
Some of the "big fat" jumper cables I see use very thin conductors and a huge amount of insulation.

Conductors could be as thin as #10 wire with the really tough and high temperature insulation, although #6 wire is a much better choice. #10 will be OK for up to ten seconds of cranking, which sometimes that is all that is needed.

 

When removing a single battery always disconnect the grounded terminal first. That way, if the wrench touches ground, no spark. Then disconnect the positive, and with the ground disconnected, if the wrench touches ground, no spark. Installing a battery is the opposite, connect the grounded terminal last. That is how to avoid sparks, damage, and burns.

 

So are the Cables Held on with Bolts?

Yes.
Most top post battery's cables are held with something like this:

The cable is clamped in the brass spot, when you remove the battery you would just loosen the split ring. (which most always will be 8mm or 10mm nut)

Another popular style battery is the "side post" and its cables terminal is just a round washer. The battery post is actually a bolt itself that sandwiches the cable to contacts on the battery.

 

Both of the devices shown in post #39 are repair type units made to fix broken off connections. Original battery connections have similar connections to the battery but are much more securely connected to the wires.