GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Caution: Batteries produce explosive gases. Batteries contain corrosive acid. Batteries supply levels of electrical current high enough to cause burns. Therefore, in order to reduce the risk of personal injury while working near a battery, observe the following guidelines:

   • Always shield your eyes.
   • Avoid leaning over the battery whenever possible.
   • Do not expose the battery to open flames or sparks.
   • Do not allow battery acid to contact the eyes or the skin.
      - Flush any contacted areas with water immediately and thoroughly.
      - Get medical help.

Notice: Push starting the vehicle can, under some conditions, cause damage to the catalytic converter and an automatic transmission.

This vehicle has a 12 Volt, negative ground electrical system. Make sure the vehicle or equipment being used to jump start the engine is also 12 Volt, negative ground. Use of any other type of system will damage the vehicle's electrical components.

Follow the procedure outlined below when using jumper cables. Treat the booster battery and the discharged battery carefully when using jumper cables and do not cause sparks.

  1. Position the vehicle equipped with the charged battery so that the jumper cables will reach the discharged battery.
  2. DO NOT allow the vehicles to touch.
  3. Apply the parking brake.
  4. Place the transmission in the NEUTRAL position.
  5. Block the wheels.
  6. Do not use the jumper cables if the insulation is loose or missing.
  7. Inspect the built-in battery hydrometer of the vehicle equipped with the dead battery. If the hydrometer is clear or light yellow, do not jump start the battery. Replace the battery. Refer to Battery Replacement .

  8. Object Number: 204723  Size: SH
  9. Attach one jumper cable end to the positive terminal (3) of the booster battery.
  10. Attach the other end of the same cable to the positive terminal (2) of the discharged battery.
  11. Attach one negative jumper cable end to the negative terminal (1) of the booster battery.
  12. Connect the jumper negative cable end to a solid ground (4) (such as an air conditioner compressor bracket), at least 450 mm (18 in) from the battery of the vehicle being started.
  13. Turn OFF all of the electrical accessories. Start the engine of the vehicle that provides the jump start.
  14. Start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
  15. Perform the following steps in order to remove the jumper cables:
  16. 14.1. Remove the negative cable from the metal ground (4).
    14.2. Remove the negative cable from the booster battery (1).
    14.3. Remove the positive cable from the booster battery (2).
    14.4. Remove the positive cable from the jumped battery (3).