Why Remove the Negative Battery Terminal First When Installing a Automatic Battery Disconnect

Updated 03/16/2017 | Published 03/15/2017

Question:

Why does Chevy in their manual say to disconnect the negative terminal if most battery disconnects are for the positive? I am assuming that it doesnt matter which terminal is disconnected as long as one is so there is no power to the vehicle, is that correct?

asked by: Owen

Expert Reply:

By removing the negative battery cable you are disconnecting the battery from the chassis of your vehicle.

If you begin to remove the positive side before the negative and your wrench would make contact with any part of the vehicle, then you could cause a short in the system. This could in turn blow fuses and relays or even damage some of the sensitive electronics on your 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe.

Roadmaster specifies that the Automatic Battery Disconnect, # RM-766, be installed on the positive side of the battery for proper operation on your vehicle's electrical system. Therefore, installation of this part on the negative battery is not recommended by the manufacturer.

expert reply by: Jared P