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If your car will not start because the starter does not operate or barely turns over, suspect a dead battery. Remove and clean the battery cables, reconnect them and try again. If your headlights do not work, or grow very dim when the starter is in use, the trouble is in the starter or it's wiring, and you need a mechanic.
A car with a dead battery can be started with a set of jumper cables and a second car that is operating. Be sure both cars have 12 volt batteries, which have six filler holes. Always wear safety goggles when jump starting a car.
If possible, bring both cars nose to nose and open their hoods. Some imported cars have batteries in the trunk or under the seat, so position these cars so that their batteries are as close to one another as possible. Do not allow the cars to touch.
Set both parking brakes. Put automatic transmissions in park, manuals into neutral. Turn off both ignitions and all electrical accessories. Remove the vent caps from both batteries and allow any built-up gases to escape. Then, cover the vent holes with clean rags.
Determine which of the battery posts in each car is the positive terminal. The positive post is generally fatter than the negative post. It may be marked with a plus sign or "Pos". Except in english cars, it is the one that is connected to the starter.
Attach the red booster cable to the positive terminals of both batteries. The other battery post in each car is the negative one. If the posts have different diameters, the negative one will be smaller. It may be marked with a minus sign or "Neg". Except in English cars, it is the one grounded to the car's chassis or body.
Attach one end of the black cable to the negative terminal of the good battery. Attach the other end to a good ground on the second car, such as an unpainted bolt or flange on the engine, chassis or body. Make sure all hands and cables are clear of the fans and other moving parts on both cars, then start the engine of the car with a good battery and have a helper rev it moderately. Start the second engine. If it still will not start, check for additional problems in the ignition and fuel systems.
Keep the formerly stalled car running and carefully remove the cables in the opposite order from which they were attached. Black cable from the dead car, then from the booster car, red cable from the dead car, then from the booster car. Replace the vent caps and discard the rags.
Drive the formerly stalled car for at least 30 minutes to recharge its battery.
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