Hi all im going to fit a new battery to my car soon, but im sure i read somewhere years ago that its advised that you disconnect a certain terminal ahead of the other so as not to damage the mfa? and i assume when connecting the new battery you do it a certain way around? thanks for any help
I'm not aware of any sequence or potential damage to MFA but as a rule of thumb, I disconnect the postive first and then the ground and when reconnecting it's the ground first and then the positive, it's always worked for me.
Other way around. When hitting something with your tools when disconnecting the ground it's not an issue. Disconnecting the 12V with the mass connected means short wiring when you hit the chassis or other metal accidentally. And then you're unintentionally welding For the MFA it does not matter anyway.
I always disconnect the + clamp each time I return from a drive. On a daily driver this would of course be a pain but taking the GTI out is an event so connecting up is just part of the ritual. Main reason for disconnecting is to eliminate any risk of fire or possible shorts. I usually use a short 10mm spanner to connect but used a large adjustable spanner once and accidentally touched the clutch cable stay ….let’s say I only did that once. Personally I’d recommend disconnecting when laying car up for a while if anything it will ensure there’s no drain on the battery
Always negative first. That is the way when working on the car too. Disconnecting either will prevent battery drain but negative is safer. However, if you have that much drain then you have other problems. Battery isolator is a good idea and makes disconnecting the battery much easier. My BMW is plugged into a trickle charger/conditioner when in the garage.
No room on the MK2 with the way the cover sits but've had one in the 205 since I got it a few years back It's the 'Discarnnect' version, might even be the original that others now copy Has worked a treat, would definitely recommend. Is handy when working on the car as the earth is disconnected by undoing the wheel a few turns, you don't need to take it off altogether. Must be put on the neg. terminal. It does remove entirely to act as a very basic anti theft measure though. One version has a bypass fused connector which means things like your clock doesn't reset everytime, but if someone does try the ignition it'll blow instead of starting.
You're right... the original 205 neg. terminal would've had a typically odd French push on / lever affair, but mine's just a latter day Discarnnect one.
I really should put one on the BM, the number of times I disconnect the battery to do work is ludicrous, it would save some faff.
How is that BM Phil? Do you do much work on it apart from preventative maintenance - my E28 is the most reliable car I ever had and the only thing that ever failed in it was the radiator about 5 years ago (it was the original)
Negative off first and on last as said up thread. I turned my battery longitudinal, same 063 just mounted on a tray. Was going to put it in the boot but turning it freed up enough room in the bay.
