Thread: Any tips before disconnecting battery

Hi Ean and always disconnect the negative terminal first then disconnect the positive.

Also, if you have more than one battery in the vehicle, disconnect all negative terminals before disconnecting any of the positive terminals.

When reconnecting everything, do it in reverse.

Reconnect all your positive terminals first, then reconnect your negative terminals next.

dont forget to check where the cable terminates into the terminal and at the distribution point.

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Hi Ean and always disconnect the negative terminal first then disconnect the positive.

You didn't tell him why though! Removing the negative first prevents accidental shorting of the battery if your spanner touches the body whilst undoing the positive terminal.

Remember to let your car go to sleep first, as I've read that disconnecting the battery while systems are active can cause problems on reconnection.

I just waited a few minutes until all lights had gone out (dash etc) then got to work as per above.

Good point Matt.

The trick is to watch your Park Brake light, when it goes out, it indicates the electronics are now shut down, and you can now safely work on the vehicle’s electrics.

Hi Guys,
There should be a small plackard beside the battery setting out the "go to sleep" procedure etc. prior to disconnecting the battery.
Its been on both of my LR's.
Regards
Barryp

yes especially to the lights thing; mine must have been on when the batter went out last, so when it was taken out and recharged and put back in, i now have no interior lights in the proper position (eg I have to have them completely off all the time because that middle setting that is supposed to make themcome on when the door is opened, etc, stays on all the time now)
I'm sure another disconnection and reconnection with all the light fittings in the proper position will recitify it but...haven't got aroundtoit yet lol