jump cable CADILLAC CATERA 2001 1.G Owners Manual

5-3
Jump Starting
If the battery has run down, you may want to use another
vehicle and some jumper cables to start your vehicle.
Please perform the following steps to do it safely.
CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:

They contain acid that can burn you.

They contain gas that can explode or ignite.

They contain enough electricity to burn you.
If you don't follow these steps exactly, some or
all of these things can hurt you.
NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that wouldn't be
covered by your warranty.
The ACDelco battery in your vehicle has a
built
-in hydrometer. Do not charge, test or jump
start the battery if the hydrometer looks clear
or light yellow. Replace the battery when there
is a clear or light yellow hydrometer and a
cranking complaint.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling
it won't work, and it could damage your vehicle.

5-4
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn't a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren't touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don't want. You wouldn't be able
to start your vehicle and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved.
Put an automatic transaxle in PARK (P) and a
manual transaxle in NEUTRAL before setting the
parking brake.2. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter. Turn off all lamps that aren't needed as well
as the radios. This will avoid sparks and help save
both batteries. In addition, it could save the radio!
NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.

5-6
4. Check that the jumper cables don't have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could also be damaged.
Before you connect the cables, here are some
basic things you should know. Positive (+) will go
to positive (+) and negative (
-) will go to a heavy,
unpainted metal part on the engine of the vehicle
with the dead battery. Don't connect positive (+) to
negative (
-) or you will get a short that would
damage the battery and maybe other parts, too.
Also, don't connect negative (
-) to negative (-).
CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engine is running.
5. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery.

5-8
10. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take care that they don't touch
each other or any other metal.
Jumper Cable Removal
A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead BatteryTo disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles,
do the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (
-) cable from the
heavy, unpainted metal engine part on the vehicle
that had the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (
-) cable from
the negative (
-) terminal on the vehicle with the
good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
other vehicle.
When a power loss occurs, there are steps that
must be followed to calibrate the Electronic Throttle
Control (ETC). If these steps are not done, the
engine will not run properly. For information
regarding these steps, see ªBatteryº in the Index.
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your vehicle towed. See ªRoadside
Assistanceº in the Index.