Connecting Jumper Cables Backwards? Here's What Could Go Wrong!

[@1AAuto]

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[@yazming1720]

What ever you do... do ur own research don't rely on A1 for correct part/part number for they WILL NOT EXCHANGE WITHOUT CHARGING YOU POSTAGE RETURN FEE & RESTOCKING FEE 👎💯👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎💯💯

[@fernandobriseno8164]

I've jumped several times over the years but one time for whatever reason I switched the cables. I was using my pickup to jump my jeep and was letting it charge for a few minutes as I leaned on my truck when I smelled burnt plastic. I looked at the cables and the side nearest the jeep were melting the insulation off. Luckily no visible damage was done. That was the first and last time I did that. No more distractions after that time.

[@ehablovesalija]

Have you been able to start your car after that without any problem with the car fuses

[@PittsburghSonido]

@@ehablovesalija I’ve done the same thing OP has commented. And yes, I’ve been able to jump other cars with my car. Just fyi.

[@cousinjohncarstuff4568]

Best advice, buy a jump pack which will not turn on if the cables are not connected correctly. They are small enough to fit in the glove box. And, no having to wait for someone to give you a jump!

[@m.b5777]

The jump pack is what screwed me. It's supposed to make a noise when connected the wrong way. But if the battery is completely dead then it makes no noise

[@TuSn_Espinzo]

@@m.b5777 damn, sucks to find out that way

[@KentuckyRanger]

I'll never forget, the one and only time, I hooked jumper cables up backwards. It was late at night, I was on my way home, from a week stay at the hospital. I drive a 2015 Subaru Outback, that if left sitting for too long, drains the battery. Thank God, someone had jumper cables! They were really old, and the red clamp was so dark, it was hard to tell which one was which. When I connected the last cable, it sparked, but not really bad. I figured it was because my battery was so dead, but quickly realized what happened, and disconnected it. Thank God I didn't try to start the car, because I'm sure that would've killed it. It's been about 4 months, and so far, everything seems to be working fine. I did replace the battery, because I think it was damaged when I jumped it backward. Ever since I did this, I've felt like an idiot, because I was an electrician, as well as electronics tech. It just goes to show, it can happen to the best of us...

[@debiconner6377]

The cable connected to the starter is positive. The negative is a ground wire usually connected to the body or outside of engine. This is usually easier to see the connection.

[@TheTechCguy]

I actually did see a few times when people, in the shopping center parking lot, would actually connect the cables with the working car running! No!! Don't do that. You make sure both cars are dead BEFORE hooking up the cables! That way it prevents arcing, a possible fire, injury, and even death! Always take safety into account whenever jumping a dead car!

[@Dell-ol6hb]

yea seriously it could be very dangerous to do that, could easily kill you

[@AlexWayne1]

lol just dont connect it wrong. the good battery will supply enough current to fry the other car if you hook it up wrong. doesnt matter if the supplying car is running or not.

[@Isaac862]

Hey how can I share this with myself 3 weeks ago?

[@samg5543]

Jumper cables are never backwards until you attach them to another car at the wrong polarity. Only then are they backwards. That would have been a better demo. Also, the negative clamp needs to go to the block on the dead car in case the battery is shorted out. That prevents shorting out the good battery.

[@Lassitude1001]

I'm still torn on whether I love or hate the bad acting/skits. They're funny, but also embarrasing at the same time. Keep it up, either way!

[@zzzzzz...9902]

I accidently did this the other day as I was in a rush to get it to a shop for a noise. My car had no codes before this. I did this and then after 30 seconds I realized I crossed them and quickly removed them and connected it correctly. Jumped started the car and it started. However, when I tried to press on the gas pedal, nothing happened. Hook up my scan tool and it lit up like a christmas tree, had probably like 10 codes. Checked the fuse box and found 1 fuse half way through that was blown. Replaced it and gas pedal worked again and made the car speed up like it should. Cleared out the codes and all of the codes cleared except for 1 code in the bcm. However, I just wanted to get it over there and I will look into this after. Did look up what the code was as the description on the scan tool was a little unclear and it looks like its about the seat belt system, so not a big deal. I will finish going through the fuses and check the relays once I get it back from the shop to fix that bcm code. So this is my partial experience so far.

[@donlleyo11]

I was in a rush and reversed them. I left it on for less than a minute. Started to smoke and I immediately unhooked it. The car lights still turned )I had issues with the alarm system not letting me turn on that car). I don’t think there was any damage. How long does it take to do damage while hooked? I got to it just as it started to sizzle a bit. 😬

[@MrFiddee]

I scrwed up like this a few weeks ago, I was stressed and it was raining so I didn't check proporly, and I didn't know what damage I may ahve caused doing so. This really helped me understand what happend, the damage I may have caused, and to take this info and experaince with me. Thanks man. ^^b

[@1AAuto]

+MR Fran Thanks for checking us out. Shop for high quality auto parts on 1AAuto.com: 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@ronniewilliz153]

The intro 😂😂🤣😂

[@michaelwashington200]

This will save people time and money

[@Eagz5]

been a tech for about 4 years now and just did this for the first time ever today. long day at work wasnt paying attention and hooked up the live car backwards. as soon as i started the live car we noticed smoke and immediately pulled them off, the cables got hot but both cars were fine. dead car was an 07 envoy live car was an 05 grand prix. this may not be the case for all vehicles those 2 seconds the cables were on couldve costed 1000s ive replaced a pcm for that exact reason at work.

[@sed6]

That opening, LMAO! The end...😳

[@DocMackGarage]

I knew there was going to be a scream or two coming up . Quite nice and entertaining.

[@1AAuto]

√ *Watch the Video* √ *Buy The Part at 1A Auto* 1aau.to/m/Visit-1AAuto √ *Do it Yourself* √ *Save Money*

[@nikhil9555]

I understand that these things can happen if polarity is reversed but still if if someone does this mistake, will the car start ?

[@jaxondakota7080]

I ain’t gonna lie, that BOOM surprised tf outta me 😂

[@SlowlyFallingUpwards]

Does Reving your engine help speed up charging the dead battery?

[@christopherrosas2738]

My brother did this one time when I was giving him a jump..... yeah, he got a yelling at..... and it was his truck that he hooked up wrong.... during day time, so it's not like he couldn't see which was positive and which was negative

[@joebarcenas3421]

5:02 that made me jump out of my seat!!!😂😂

[@bejaranofamily4109]

I literally was sleepy while watching this and now I’m wide awake

[@mikelarochemusic4693]

Bro you're scream at the beginning made my day. Funny as s*** I've seen in a bit

[@JessieGodinez-lz1tg]

This guy is amazing

[@1AAuto]

+Jessie Godinez Thank you! We love empowering our customers and showing how to perform DIY auto repairs with our high-quality auto parts. 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@JamieHitt]

I’m so glad that we now live in a world where incompetency is considered the norm.

[@butterybuttcheeks]

Not incompetent he nice explained why. You’re exposing yourself

[@YuckFou0x0FFFF]

It's not incompetent. There are only 2 places to put those cables. Sometimes there is nothing distinct about the + and - sides.

[@petea7323]

I connected my car battery in the dark. What a fool. I’ve blown the alternator and the body control module

[@matthewpace5834]

I did this on my motorhome. Distracted silly mistake. I know I've burnt some wires somewhere. First I had to hook a power cable and toggle switch to get the vehicle to start. Now I am not charging my battery so I think I have to chase a wire from or to my alternator. Any advice would be most welcome.

[@killerkhan5529]

!!NEED HELP!! I charged my bike's battery separately after taking it out and i put oppsite terminals qhile charging...after some time the battery started to make a whistle aound with some smoke. I immediately turn it off and then all of it stopped. I want to know that is the battery still usable or will i have to change my battery or only charging it correctly would work??

[@C.Scholl]

I have managed to connect a battery that was charged in reverse not only did it spark but the car made a sound that would be the dynamo and shortly after that it started smoking. I guess that my cables have burnt and I hope it will be a cheap fix by replacing the burnt cables. It happened with a ford Mondeo 1.8 mk3 .

[@NoteFromSELF]

My situation was a quick spark. I jumped it the right way, car starts up fine. But no acceleration. Still a fuse? Liked and subscribed.

[@1AAuto]

+@NoteFromSELF Thanks for subscribing!

[@naseemclark2873]

Thank you bro love the energy💯

[@biggs8440]

Walked away wife hooked her side correct and incorrectly my side came out she tried to start it I saw smoking terminal and snatched it all off..didn't fry my 08 wrangler no fuses or damage thank god.her 03 chevy is fine as well.shes no idiot shit happens why you where born in the first place cheers.

[@mgoodell76]

i accidently reversed cables when jumping from a jump charge battery today..only about1- 2 seconds tops. got plenty of sparks of course! .my 99 jeep has power still but wont turn over..any ideas?

[@kkovler1]

don't use jumper cables anymore, use a jump pac, you can't do any damage if the polarity is wrong, just won't work!

[@firebladex8586]

My battery charger is like that. When I first got it I hooked up a batt backwards and it wouldn't charge. I thought the thing was defective for a moment 😂 thank God for reverse polarity protection 🙏

[@betterrecognize4558]

What's a good jump pac to buy?

[@OldSchoolNoe]

@@betterrecognize4558 TackLife Kp200, can be used as a power bank and has a built in LED flshlight

[@29madmangaud29]

Oh what a let down, I was hoping to see what I remember seeing in H.S. Auto shop class, a guy hooked up the cables wrong and the battery "BLEW UP"........ this was back in '79 before computers were in vehicles.

[@santoshkafley5772]

Excellent, how to ensure Jumper cable is not working ? How you know battery is replaceable ?

[@jvnbrk]

Got a serious question..if you don't mind replying. I actually know vehicles very well I was one of those kids putting motors back together at 12 lol. But I recently experienced something I don't understand..recently I was jump starting my car and I made a bonehead move and hooked the cables up backwards on the vehicle doing the charging but normal on the vehicle being charged. It was only for maybe 5-10 seconds when I noticed what I did. Cables melted a bit and I saw smoke from the cables, I thought for sure I fried both vehicles. Neither was started when I did it either I caught it before I started the charging vehicle. Anyway what I don't get is nothing bad happened, my car actually started and is running fine now and I had a check engine light on for a couple years (emission) and it happened to correct that to. The other vehicle is fine as well..so any ideas how and why that would happen? I thought since it was such a short time period it acted as a real fast shock to the system that luckily worked. But the dead battery charged, and engine light went off and I never even started either of the vehicles. Really weird and really lucky but any opinion would be appreciated I'm just curious how that would happen

[@josephvance8900]

Your check engine light probably doesnt work anymore.

[@alirazmjou2149]

Thank you so much for this video متشکرم

[@swaggys6759]

I did that with my GM truck and now my radio won't work, don't find any other problems. Any advice?

[@1AAuto]

+Swaggy S We wouldn't be able to diagnose an issue like that here, you may want to have a local mechanic take a look at it. Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@flyboy2610]

Never hook the negative cable to the negative terminal of the battery of the vehicle being jumped. Connect it to a good ground on the body.

[@FriezaSucks]

This actually makes a lot of sense, that way it prevents the return from making it back to the battery entirely.

[@brianalvarez6379]

thats usually how I jump start my car and it works the first time everytime rn I had to jump start my car with my sisters car I did it on my own it was late night 2am and all I did was connect negative to my car negative to her car battery and positive to positive the car turned on first time grounding it to a part of the car never seems to work

[@0blivioniox864]

and BOOM!... . bahah... you got me.

[@CarsKadi-uy5ql]

I did this this to my 98 gs300 I changed all fuses that were blown I have all lights and dash lights back on but car won’t even crank could it be the battery is completely fried causing it to not even crank ?

[@1AAuto]

+@CarsKadi-uy5ql We wouldn't be able to diagnose an issue like that here, you may want to have a local mechanic take a look at it. Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@terryguin9529]

Summation of entire video: look for burnt wires and blown fuses. I just saved you 7 minutes you can use to find a helpful video

[@mobilemechanic5674]

I'm having an issue atm with a 2015 vw jetta. The customer jumped someone, and they connected cables backward. Car instantly started missfireing. The diag is tough. Random multiple missfire. Missfire cylinder 1 are the codes. When I pull each wire missfire gets worse. When I pull the injector on cylinder 1 misfire don't change. So i swap injectors. same issue. I'm stumped atm. I'm thinking ecm

[@tomkoolman]

Spark the hydogen gas and BONK! 😂

[@bobbywren123]

Ok, we have a 2006 Rav 4, she had trouble with a phone charger finally got the charger to get power as the car was running. She shut the car it and after work, it would not start. PW/ PL's not working. Only some dash lights. Will not boost off or even click. No power to obd2 Port, can't find any fuses blown? Any ideas, it's a Base Model 2.4 Automatic

[@marcusgarza2278]

U helped out a lot bro..

[@zakk7269]

need help if i did this to the good battery what about the dead battery. i did put the clamps on right for dead battery but the good battery it was revesed cant the dead car still turn on with no issues? it just needs a jump still??

[@vladizlatko]

Awesome video, thanks😂

[@joshmtown]

It’s only copper. In theory, if you hook up the cables wrong it will still work if connected to the like terminal on both vehicles. It will be damaged once you cross them

[@alex5308]

Dude you should be an actor

[@johnames6430]

Yes he would be great on LGBTQRS channels

[@aux1z11]

I always take my old extension cord and cut the plug off and put on 2 clamps and plug it straight into the wall into 120v

[@gernblanstin8755]

😂

[@jameschristy9966]

I bet you do

[@mattsykes22]

Thanks for the info.

[@IowaBoy54]

I did this, this morning. In a rush and looked away. When I looked back the tip of the jumper was starting to glow orange. Noticed I put them on backwards. Switched them and it started up fine. Only issue is my radio/touch screen doesn’t work. Changed a blown fuse and it still doesn’t work.

[@1AAuto]

+@IowaBoy54 We wouldn't be able to diagnose an issue like that here, you may want to have a local mechanic take a look at it. Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@cwmaxfield2000]

I crossed the leads on my charger. Shit. Blew out the power fuse. Flipping hassle. Could have been worse.

[@toolman.dustin]

video you came to see starts at 3:34.

[@KOAMastermindOP]

I love this! 😁

[@yunghustlerecords]

I have a 2013 ford taurus push start my cables started to melt how can I fix it

[@joshuagracias6354]

What would happen to the donor car in a situation like this?

[@suzysuzuki8865]

It's very possible to fry the ecu on both cars

[@hectorgomez9222]

I switched the black with the red by accident 😶 for like 3 seconds, took it off did it right, then once it started up I had the 4lo flashing and check engine light on, along with traction control on (toyota 4runner 2011) hopefully i only damaged the sensor

[@adriannalundasan7570]

Talk about the how to top up the blinker fluid.

[@1AAuto]

+Adrian Nalundasan We're always cycling through common cars. We'll add this repair to our list! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@ziphdelosreyes]

Lol

[@franiafour7]

Thanks a lot

[@fayeray2092]

I did this but it gave sparks. Then I quickly switched it and the car started. Got a new battery and it worked fine for a few days. Then, dead battery again. Can’t figure it out. Jumped it again and it’s working but who knows for how long.any ideas.

[@megadecimal]

I hook the last jumper to the negative terminal so often that the slight spark was expected. "Hmm, red sparks is different." I thought, but it's dark. Let me hook it up. I jumped in and tried to start. Dead. I wasn't dead-dead before. The cabin smelled a bit burnt and that was my second clue. My negative terminal, it seems, has a small red connector for some component and at 10pm I'm seeing a positive terminal. Anyway, the booster cables were hot but not melted. It's minus 18 right now, so that's probably why. The positive terminal on the dead battery had black burnt spots. My next steps are finding melted wires and checking fuses. Sounds like I can boost this same battery (since it still looks good). No one is saying anywhere that the battery needs replacing (even though internal components "may" be damaged!!???).

[@owencabacungan1487]

Hi A1 auto team. Hope you’re all well. Had a scenario last week when my friend needed a jump start, so he rang me and went and helped him. So we did the negative- negative and positive-positive through the terminals of the battery we didn’t ground it. And also we failed to follow the right order of putting and removing the lead cables afterwards. Anyway, we successfully jump start his car, there was no spark or whatsoever. However, my question is would it make any damage to our cars since we didn’t follow the correct order in putting the lead cables and removing them when we’re done? Any reply is much appreciated. Thank you

[@usace69]

Thank you for this video, can you post a video for live data and STFT please?

[@michaelscarlino1590]

What fuses, they are all over the fcking car 😂😂

[@kkovler1]

That spark you created could weaken an electronic component, could fail later

[@heroknaderi]

wow good to know i accidentally reversed the jumber cables on a 2013 toyoto avalon we have and now after hooing them up right nothing comes on i guess it is a fuse.

[@trafficproservices5005]

great video

[@evadondediosteplantoflorece]

Thanks

[@binaryboffin]

!!WARNING!! 5m02s - I jumped out my chair! LOLZ!

[@ianhiguera1928]

I took my car to the dealership for maintenance today and they hooked up the wires to the battery backwards, so it happens. I just hope they didn’t mess up more than a fuse.

[@obama2k869]

You should be an actor bro 😂😂😂

[@TheAl1213]

I tried to jump my car with my neighbor who graciously helped. The only thing was I didn't do it properly (I didn't ground the black clamp on my car which has the dead battery) I clamped her negative last and it caused a spark twice although I pulled back right away. I then did it right. The charge didn't work, gonna buy a new battery. I'm just personally paranoid that may have done damaged to her car. I hope to God not. Her car was working while we were waiting for the car to charge but I'm just not satisfied with my paranoia. I just hope nothing bad happens in the short term

[@cathym871]

I had my car jump started today and it was pop a lock was locked out of my car when she used a jump start box tried to start it there was smoke in my engine was the cables hooked up wrong

[@CrAzY6tothe6]

If batteries scare you just invest in the gel battery. No hydrogen so it won't explode....the other stuff applies

[@ZaldraMercy]

Just tried to jump start my car for the first time, using my dads ute (he wasnt home to help me), i thought i had the leads on correctly, untill they started sparking and then smoking and melting... I think i must have put then on wrong on my dads ute, cause i couldnt really figure put which was neg and which was.pos, so i put them on the same as i had on my car.... Must have been reverse

[@demil3618]

*Warning:* Your car will have 5/6 reverse gears and one forward gear if you connect the jumper cables the wrong way around!

[@JoseGonzalezJunior]

My 2018 Audi had a cover over the negative terminal never have I ever seen this in my experience the positive terminal is usually covered so out of habit

[@stonedblaze313]

Positive is first and last

[@moniquefiorecna]

Wow I just learned what happens if you hook up the cables wrong. I never seen something go wrong. I let aaa to jump start my car

[@gregthomas2601]

Yeah I couldn't see the ends of my battery posts because it was dark, and raining lightly and I was in a big hurry, it took only 3 to 5 seconds to melt the cheap jumper cables I used and now I've had P357 code for ignition coil, ended up changing the coil for the #7 cylinder and the code didn't stay cleared it came back after several hours of driving it afterwards, prettttty sure I fried my PCM and searched this video to see if hooking up the cables backwards would cause a fried PCM, looks like I have lots of checking to do 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@1AAuto]

+Greg Thomas Thanks for the feedback!

[@apersonyoudontknow3346]

It should not matter if you use black on both positive wires tbh

[@TheHarrip]

I tried to jump start my van from the leasure battery in the back when my battery died at the store yesterday. used thin wire and cross connected 🙃 set my van on fire 🔥. No joke.

[@kelseyrainwater3918]

I went too jump a Cadillac with a 2017 malibu an fry the malibu it still doesn't run today think computer fry it says put car in. Park when it's already in park an won't turn on

[@Jedi_Jed]

How could this happen even when the jumper cable was connected correctly and the battery connected correctly?

[@kevinagnew6878]

I have seen a battery instantly Blowup acid explosion 🤯😳

[@EazzyBeezie]

Good vid

[@hufman9807]

Did this to a grand caravan today. Battery was inside the wheel well. Installed a new battery with flipped terminals, big mistake. Don't give car manufactures too much credit. Should I have made sure the batteries matched? Sure! Did they need to put the battery inside the wheel well, with zero visibility and movement. No.

[@tencDIY]

Another way to tell pos from neg the positive side is always a little larger in diameter than negative on top posts

[@1AAuto]

+David McKenzie Thanks for the tip!

[@benjamminonabudget85]

Skeleton in the back lol

[@dbothegorilla]

Can connecting a battery wrong cause a alternator to blow out?

[@JayHughart]

If you put black to the Engine this will never happen. Not to mention connect positive fist NO SPARKS AT THE BATTERY!

[@michaelcaranto5801]

Which car can be damaged if I put the cables backwards?

[@livingwithjhana2013]

My stepdad hook it up wrong because my battery was opposite of his and now the car starts but not the engine I’m trying to figure out the problem but I can’t find it

[@norogashii]

some people learn this the hard way thankfully i didnt

[@EricParisen-hy9wu]

No excuses for our stupidity

[@MrKofi137]

This happened to me today, the cables are burnt and insulation gone. Car won’t start any more but I guess the battery must be dead again. Will try and jump it again tomorrow and see what happens.

[@jusbeeO88]

Man I pulled the positive clamp off the car while it was on connected to the other car what do I do