Dakota Quad Cab 4WD V6-3.9L VIN X (2001)
Battery Cable: Description and Operation
Fig.20 Battery Cables
The battery cables (Fig. 20) are large gauge, stranded copper wires sheathed within a heavy plastic or synthetic rubber insulating jacket. The wire used in
the battery cables combines excellent flexibility and reliability with high electrical current carrying capacity.
The battery cables cannot be repaired and, if damaged or faulty they must be replaced. Both the battery positive and negative cables are available for
service replacement only as a unit with the battery positive cable wire harness or the battery negative cable wire harness, which may include portions of
the wiring circuits for the generator and other components on some models.
The battery cables feature a stamped brass clamping type female battery terminal crimped onto one end of the battery cable wire and then solder-dipped.
A square headed pinch-bolt and hex nut are installed at the open end of the female battery terminal clamp. The battery positive cable also includes a red
molded rubber protective cover for the female battery terminal clamp. Large eyelet type terminals are crimped onto the opposite end of the battery cable
wire and then solder-dipped. The battery positive cable wires have a red insulating jacket to provide visual identification and feature a larger female
battery terminal clamp to allow connection to the larger battery positive terminal post. The battery negative cable wires have a black insulating jacket
and a smaller female battery terminal clamp.
The battery cables connect the battery terminal posts to the vehicle electrical system. These cables also provide a return path for electrical current
generated by the charging system for restoring the voltage potential of the battery. The female battery terminal clamps on the ends of the battery cable
wires provide a strong and reliable connection of the battery cable to the battery terminal posts. The terminal pinch bolts allow the female terminal
clamps to be tightened around the male terminal posts on the top of the battery. The eyelet terminals secured to the ends of the battery cable wires
opposite the female battery terminal clamps provide secure and reliable connection of the battery to the vehicle electrical system.
