GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 1996 🢒 Caprice 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Electrical 🢒 Jump Starting in Case of Emergency

Both auxiliary battery and discharged battery assembly should be treated carefully when using jumper cables.

Caution: Departure from these conditions or the procedure below could result in the following conditions:

   • Serious personal injury (particularly to eyes) or property damage from such causes as battery explosion, battery acid, or electrical burns
   • Damage to electronic components of either vehicle
Never expose battery to open flame or electric spark because batteries generate a gas which is flammable and explosive. Remove rings, watches, and other jewelry. Wear approved eye protection. Do not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin, fabrics, or painted surfaces because battery acid is a corrosive acid. Flush any contacted area with water immediately and thoroughly. Be careful that metal tools or jumper cables do not contact the battery positive terminal (or metal in contact with it) and any other metal on the vehicle, because a short circuit could occur.

  1. Set the parking brake lever and place automatic transmission in PARK.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition, lamps, and all other electrical loads.
  3. Check the built-in hydrometer. If it is clear, replace the battery.

    4. Notice: Do not jump start a vehicle with charging equipment unless the equipment is specifically designed for jump starting. Using improper equipment can cause serious damage to the electrical system or electronic parts.

  4. Attach the end of one jumper cable to the auxiliary battery positive terminal and the other end of the same cable to the positive terminal of the junction block. Do not permit the vehicles to touch each other as this could cause a ground connection and counteract the benefits of this procedure.

    5. Caution: To prevent sparking and possibly explosion of battery gases, do not connect jumper cable directly to the battery negative terminal of the dead battery.

  5. Attach one end of the remaining negative cable to the auxiliary battery negative terminal, and the other end to a solid engine ground (such as the compressor bracket or power steering pump bracket) at least 46 cm (18 in) from the battery of the vehicle being started.
  6. Start the engine of the vehicle that is providing the jump start and turn OFF the electrical accessories. Then start the engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
  7. Reverse these directions exactly when removing the jumper cables. The negative cable must first be disconnected from the engine that was jump started.