# Battery disconnect **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [May 19, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-disconnect/30690 "2009-05-19T19:41:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![EDDIEMAC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e56c9b/32.png) [@EDDIEMAC](https://community.cartalk.com/u/EDDIEMAC)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-disconnect/30690/1 "2009-05-19T19:41:56Z")
WHILE WATCHING A NEIGHBOR DISCONNECT HIS BATTERY SINCE HE IS GOING NORTH FOR THE SUMMER AND HIS CAR STAYS HERE IN FLORIDA,HE DISCONNECED THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL. I ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE POSITIVE TERMINAL WHEN I LEAVE MY CAR FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. DOES IT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE? ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 7:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-disconnect/30690/2 "2009-05-19T19:55:02Z")
It makes no difference. It is slightly less risky to disconnect the ground wire but don’t worry. ---
**Author:** ![bennyandthejets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b487fb/32.png) [@bennyandthejets](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bennyandthejets)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 8:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-disconnect/30690/3 "2009-05-19T20:04:08Z")
If the hood stays closed, there is no risk difference. I think the previous poster is suggesting that if the positive wire is still connected, it could be shorted out with a metal engine compartment component. But electrically, it makes absolutely no difference. ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-disconnect/30690/4 "2009-05-19T20:19:19Z")
The negative first disconnect sequence is used to reduce spark generation potential. After the cable is disconnected it makes no-difference which one was disconnected,the time that it mattered was at the disconnect time,if you made it past that your good. ---
**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-disconnect/30690/5 "2009-05-19T20:55:48Z")
I once shorted out a positive terminal to the frame while disconnecting it. Almost welded the ratchet to the frame. No harm done since it was a 69 Buick, but since then I always disconnect the negative terminal first. I’m afraid to think what it would do to newer car’s electronics.