Starting the engine from another source

Connecting Starter Cables

1. The cross-section of starter cables for gasoline internal combustion engines with a working volume of up to 2.5 liters must be 16 mm² (diameter about 5mm). For diesel engines or gasoline engines with a volume of more than 2.5 liters, the cross section of the wires must be at least 25 mm². In this case, the size of the cross section is determined by the volume of the engine of the machine with a discharged battery. The cross-sectional size is usually indicated on the packaging of starter cables. Starter cables with insulated clamps and a cross section of 25 mm should be purchased², as they are also suitable for smaller displacement engines.

2. A discharged battery can freeze already at -10°C. A frozen battery must be thawed before connecting the starter cables.

3. A discharged battery must be connected to the on-board network in accordance with all the rules.

4. Check the electrolyte level in the discharged battery, add distilled water if necessary.

5. Position the vehicles so that they do not touch the bodies. Otherwise, when the positive pole is connected, current will already flow.


6. Apply the handbrake on both cars. Place gearboxes in neutral position. Set automatic boxes in position "R".

7. Turn off all electrical consumers.

8. The engine of the donor car must be running at idle.

9. Connect starter cables in the following order (see fig. Connecting Starter Cables):

• (1) – connect the red cable to the positive pole of the discharged battery (A);
• (2) – connect the other end of the red cable to the positive pole of the donor battery (IN);
• (3) - connect the black cable to the negative pole of the donor battery;
• (4) – connect the other end of the black cable to a reliable "mass" (X) starting machine, to avoid leakage "masses". A metal part securely screwed to the engine or the cylinder block itself is best suited for this. Under unfavorable conditions, connecting a cable to the negative pole of a discharged battery can cause sparks and explosion of the battery due to the release of oxyhydrogen gas.

10. Once again check the security of the fastening of the clamps. Make sure that the starter cables do not come into contact with moving parts of the machine, such as the radiator fan.

Attention! The clamps of the starting cables must not touch each other when the panels are connected or the positive clamps must not touch the mass of the machine (bodies or frames).

11. Start the car engine with a dead battery and run like that. When starting, do not turn on the starter for more than 10 seconds, as the clamps heat up as a result of the passage of a large current. Therefore, between launches, do "cooling pause" at least 30 sec.


12. The engine of the donor machine must be idle during start-up to avoid damage to the generator as a result of the generation of peak currents during start-up. If the rpm drops sharply, you can add gas.

13. Do not use open flames or smoke near the battery during starting, as flammable gases will escape from the battery.

14. Do not lean over the battery. Danger of chemical burns!

15. After starting, disconnect the cables in reverse order: first, the cable (-) disconnect from the machine being started, then from the donor machine. The red cable is first from the donor machine, then from the starting machine.

Warning! If the prescribed cable connection instructions are not followed, there is a risk of chemical burns due to the release of electrolyte from the battery. In addition, there is a risk of injury from a battery explosion. Damage to the electrical systems on both machines is also possible.