[m6-lt1]

Hey guys, really dumb question but I have zero knowledge about electronics. I bought a cable from battery cable USA but they only had red cables in stock. I want to guess the cables are exactly the same but I wasn’t 100% sure. Will this be a problem that I bought a red cable instead of black or does it not matter because they are the same inside? I will be using the cable for the purpose of this thread (engine to chassis ground) as I too sometimes have hot start issues.

[oOKhanhOo]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

Hey guys, really dumb question but I have zero knowledge about electronics. I bought a cable from battery cable USA but they only had red cables in stock. I want to guess the cables are exactly the same but I wasn’t 100% sure. Will this be a problem that I bought a red cable instead of black or does it not matter because they are the same inside? I will be using the cable for the purpose of this thread (engine to chassis ground) as I too sometimes have hot start issues.

No difference. Color helps identify if its a positive (red) or ground (black).


but in your case it'll be a ground wire that's red.

[Blobby]

Originally Posted by oOKhanhOo

No difference. Color helps identify if its a positive (red) or ground (black).


but in your case it'll be a ground wire that's red.

If it were a positive cable and you ordered a black one, I’d say reorder a red one. Bad things happen when you touch things to a hot line. Red is more of a warning to be super careful about what you touch it with. Plus anyone can clearly see both ends of the cable here and they’ll figure out it’s not hot.

[oOKhanhOo]

Originally Posted by SSDan

Here is hoping that new battery added to the ground cable(s) you've added puts your car right and your starting woes are behind you.

I haven't changed it out yet. but lately the car has been starting up cold and warm/hot start just find. as if it never had the starting problem. I wonder if me adding a ground wire from battery to an existing ground post in the trunk helped the vehicle recharge properly? I should get the battery tested again.


I have ground from negative post in the engine bay to engine and ground from battery to existing chassis post in the trunk.

[oOKhanhOo]

Originally Posted by Blobby

If it were a positive cable and you ordered a black one, I’d say reorder a red one. Bad things happen when you touch things to a hot line. Red is more of a warning to be super careful about what you touch it with. Plus anyone can clearly see both ends of the cable here and they’ll figure out it’s not hot.

That's true. Only m6-lt1 will knows its actually a ground wire.



In that case, just get the 0/2 gauge. a bit thicker and you can get it in black.



https://www.batterycablesusa.com/00-...able-with-ends

[SSDan]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

Hey guys, really dumb question but I have zero knowledge about electronics. I bought a cable from battery cable USA but they only had red cables in stock. I want to guess the cables are exactly the same but I wasn’t 100% sure. Will this be a problem that I bought a red cable instead of black or does it not matter because they are the same inside? I will be using the cable for the purpose of this thread (engine to chassis ground) as I too sometimes have hot start issues.

Originally Posted by oOKhanhOo

No difference. Color helps identify if its a positive (red) or ground (black).


but in your case it'll be a ground wire that's red.

Originally Posted by Blobby

If it were a positive cable and you ordered a black one, I’d say reorder a red one. Bad things happen when you touch things to a hot line. Red is more of a warning to be super careful about what you touch it with. Plus anyone can clearly see both ends of the cable here and they’ll figure out it’s not hot.

Agreed. The red cable will be fine to use as your new ground connection. It may confuse someone else but you know what you did. It will work fine. I wish you happy starting going forward.

[SSDan]

Originally Posted by oOKhanhOo

I haven't changed it out yet. but lately the car has been starting up cold and warm/hot start just find. as if it never had the starting problem. I wonder if me adding a ground wire from battery to an existing ground post in the trunk helped the vehicle recharge properly? I should get the battery tested again.


I have ground from negative post in the engine bay to engine and ground from battery to existing chassis post in the trunk.

On my car - I have no proof the extra ground cable in the trunk helped but I know it didn’t hurt. It’s great your car starts well now. Getting the battery load tested would be a good idea just for peace of mind. Best wishes for your starting worries to be over.

[m6-lt1]

Thank you all for the quick reply’s about my red cable issue. Since they are the same I will just spray paint it black or wrap black electrical tape around it

[2SS Capt]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

Thank you all for the quick reply’s about my red cable issue. Since they are the same I will just spray paint it black or wrap black electrical tape around it

Use the tape... It'll be fine...

[Bigtime32]

Hey guys I’m buying a 2017 SS next Tuesday. I’m flying to Virginia to buy the car and then drive it almost 1000 miles home. I’m worried that I might have a problem getting the car to start if I shut it off when I stop for fuel.. Is there anything I can do to help me from getting stuck with a car that won’t start.??
Like is said I am flying down and driving it home, so I am limited on having tools or a jumper pack with me

[grampa_ss]

Originally Posted by Bigtime32

Hey guys I’m buying a 2017 SS next Tuesday. I’m flying to Virginia to buy the car and then drive it almost 1000 miles home. I’m worried that I might have a problem getting the car to start if I shut it off when I stop for fuel.. Is there anything I can do to help me from getting stuck with a car that won’t start.??
Like is said I am flying down and driving it home, so I am limited on having tools or a jumper pack with me

If you just give the car 5 mins....i'm sure it'll start. That being said. I always keep this in the trunk. NOCO Boost Plus GB40

[SSDan]

Originally Posted by Bigtime32

Is there anything I can do to help me from getting stuck with a car that won’t start.??

Originally Posted by grampa_ss

If you just give the car 5 mins....i'm sure it'll start. That being said. I always keep this in the trunk. NOCO Boost Plus GB40

A couple of thoughts:

- This has definitely been an issue for 2016 models - not as much for 2017 and newer. So, maybe you will be fine. (I'd add the ground cable as a precaution once I got home with it anyway).
- As grampa ss said if you get a no start - open the hood to let as much heat out as possible and wait 5-10 minutes.
-If you get a slow start after the first stop - it may crank slowly but should start. The problem gets worse with each consecutive start if they are in very close sequence to each other. (Like going to the store, then the gas station and then the pharmacy - all within a few minutes of each other).

Good luck and have fun with your new ride.

[SomeGeoffGuy]

Originally Posted by SSDan

A couple of thoughts:

- This has definitely been an issue for 2016 models - not as much for 2017 and newer. So, maybe you will be fine. (I'd add the ground cable as a precaution once I got home with it anyway).
- As grampa ss said if you get a no start - open the hood to let as much heat out as possible and wait 5-10 minutes).
-If you get a slow start after the first stop - it may crank slowly but should start. The problem gets worse with each consecutive start if they are in very close sequence to each other. (Like going to the store, then the gas station and then the pharmacy - all within a few minutes of each other).

Good luck and have fun with your new ride.

Mine did a slow crank for about 5 seconds after a 30 minute drive and ten minute shutoff yesterday - it is the worst it has ever sounded. Normally I just get the first crank slow then it starts normally. I made two more stops after that though, and it was fine. Makes me wonder if it is actually a starter issue.

I agree, this is an issue dogging the 2016's though. I am thinking about dropping $200 on a battery just in case, and I have that ground-strap from Gen5 even though I have my doubts it will do anything. Still waiting for somebody - GM or aftermarket - to give us the silver bullet to fix this. Not even worried about warranty - I just want it fixed!

-Geoff

[SSDan]

Geoff, don't doubt it - put the ground cable on. This is an issue of too much resistance in the electron flow between the battery and the starter caused by both a heat soaked starter compounded by a poor ground. Improving the ground with an additional cable is enough of a reduction in resistance to make a difference. I and many others have cured this with an added ground cable. Many people have gone the new battery route (including me) and/or a new starter and have ended after a while right back in the slow crank club.

I have had at least a hundred hot engine starts since adding the cable - not one of them has been a slow crank. And that is with the original starter and a 2 year old battery.