The interval of time doesn't matter. If a failure, of lets say a diode, was going to happen, it would happen the moment you unhooked the terminal.

Will it destroy your electrical components guaranteed? No.

Is there a risk of potentially hurting some part of the electrical/charge system? Yes.


With a multimeter there is no risk, the information is both quantifiable and direct.

If you don't have a multimeter there are simple dome light brilliance tests that are safe as well.

Pulling a terminal...Either one....is bad on a running car.

Google: 'Alternator test battery disconnect'

The first four results all say a resounding "no"

Including Click and Clack from NPR. (R.I.P Tom... )

it's not just me.



This post was edited by OldAndyAndTheSea on Nov 26 2014 02:43pm

I just thought of something that may be relevant

There are times I'll get to my destination with the mentioned lights all on, and when I turn the car off sometimes I'll attempt to turn it over to see if it'd start. It wouldnt, it'd do a single weak rev and then nothing anything.

But there have been times I come back to my car a few hours later and it starts fine.

Idk if I'm just grasping here but could it have anything to do with a hot engine?

Voltage regulator. Replace the alternator before you fry the whole electrical system. Driving it like that is not good.

Yeah, the ground is still connected to ground out any power surges...

...after it fries everything it just went through. lol

I think this worked on the old school cars but with today's electronics which control everything you are asking for trouble.

imo

yep older more mechanical less electrical cars this was an ok way to do it. however now even a weak battery can make a vehicle almost to the point of being undrivable. i test drove a 2000 zr2 s10 about 10 years ago and the dealership had to jumpstart it to get it running (dead battery), when i pulled up to a stop light it would try to die at an idle and you had to hit neutral and keep the rpms up. once i got back to the dealership it died right in front of its parking spot.