Car People help please

[killergamer]

So my car battery is dead, and who ever fixed it before I bought it did not leave one wire with any way to show what side is positive, and which side is negative. I have one wire that has a yellow strip and I believe that is the negative wire leading to the negative connection. I've never had to jump a car and its alot harder when you don't know which side is which. Any one have any idea how I can tell which side is positive and which side is negative?

+Rep to any one that can help!

[slaveofconvention]

I'd google image search for your car - with a little luck you'll find a couple of half-decent engine shots and you may be able to work out from the placement of the cables which is which...

[killergamer]

Nope, can't find a good picture. I like the idea though!

[crenn]

A multimeter could be of use here.

[LiTHiUM0XiD3]

make/model?

[Airbozo]

The battery itself has markings for positive and negative. You might have to wipe away some of the gunk to find it, but it will be there...

Also, in most cars the negative terminal will go right to the engine block.

[x88x]

The battery itself has markings for positive and negative. You might have to wipe away some of the gunk to find it, but it will be there...

Also, in most cars the negative terminal will go right to the engine block.

/\ This. Another thing that might hint at is often the car manufacturer will put a shroud over the positive connector.

[raistnox]

i second the 2 previous posts the battery is always stamped and alot of cars ave a postive side shroud

[Oneslowz28]

The positive cable will also have a lead going directly to the starter. The negative will either ground to the chassis or the engine.

[Luke122]

Red or + for positive, black or - for negative.

Also, if there's ANY charge left on the battery, a multimeter should be able to tell you which is which. If you get a negative reading, you are wrong way round. Amirite?

[Luke122]

Oh also, typically the negative lead is all alone, and the positive lead would have more than one cable from the terminal.