GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Buick 🢒 1998 🢒 Riviera 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Electrical 🢒 Jump Starting in Case of Emergency

Carefully handle the booster battery and the discharged battery when using jumper cables. Follow the procedure exactly. Do not cause sparks.

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.

  1. Position the vehicle with the booster (charged) battery so that the jumper cables will reach the discharged battery.
    2. • Do not let the 2 vehicles touch.
    • Ensure that the jumper cables do not have loose ends or missing insulation.
  2. Place automatic transmissions in PARK.
  3. Set the parking brake.
  4. Block the wheels.
  5. Turn off all electrical loads that are not needed (leave the hazard flashers on).
  6. Turn off the ignition switch.
  7. Inspect the built-in battery hydrometer of the discharged battery.

    8. If the hydrometer is clear or light yellow, do not jump (charge) the battery.

  8. Attach the end of one jumper cable to the positive terminal of the booster battery.

    9. Object Number: 100642 Size: SH
  9. Attach the other end of the same cable to the positive terminal of the discharged battery.
  10. Attach one end of the remaining jumper cable to the negative terminal of the booster battery.
  11. The final connection is made to a solid engine ground (such as the generator mounting bracket), at least 450 mm (18 in) from the discharged battery.

    12. A spark may ignite an accumulation of hydrogen gas from the discharged battery.

  12. Start the engine of the vehicle that is providing the boost.
  13. Crank the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
  14. The negative jumper cable must be the first cable disconnected from the vehicle that was boosted.
  15. Remove the other end of the negative jumper cable from the booster battery.
  16. Remove the positive jumper cable from the booster battery.

    17. Do not let the cable end touch any metal (until after the other cable end is disconnected).

  17. Remove the second positive jumper cable.