This procedure covers removal and replacement of the negative battery cable on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost engine, including disconnection from battery and engine block ground points.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Negative battery cable × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent

Preparation

1. Ensure vehicle is parked on level ground with engine off and cool
2. Turn ignition to OFF position and remove key fob from vehicle
3. Open hood and secure with prop rod
4. Locate battery in engine compartment on passenger side
5. Take note of radio presets and seat memory settings if equipped

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove battery hold-down bracket
   Using 13mm socket, remove the battery hold-down bolt securing the battery bracket. Lift the hold-down bracket off the battery and set aside.
2. 2

   Disconnect negative terminal at battery
   Using 8mm or 10mm wrench (depending on terminal type), loosen the negative battery terminal bolt. The negative terminal is marked with a minus (-) symbol and typically has a black cable. Remove the cable from the battery post and position it away from the battery to prevent accidental contact.
   Torque spec

   Battery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Locate engine block ground connection
   Follow the negative battery cable from the battery to the engine block. On the 3.5L EcoBoost, the primary ground connection is typically located on the driver side of the engine block near the transmission bellhousing area. Identify the ground cable bolt connection point.
4. 4

   Remove ground cable from engine block
   Using 13mm socket with extension, remove the ground cable bolt securing the negative cable to the engine block. Note the position of any other ground straps or wires sharing this connection point. Remove the negative cable from the stud.
   Torque spec

   Ground Cable Bolt16 Nm (12 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Inspect and remove additional ground straps if present
   Check for additional ground strap connections between the engine and chassis. These may be located near the firewall or frame rail. If present and connected to the negative cable being replaced, remove the ground strap bolts using appropriate socket size.
   Torque spec

   Ground Strap Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove negative battery cable
   Trace the entire cable route and remove any cable clips or retainers securing the cable to the chassis or engine. Carefully remove the old negative battery cable from the vehicle, noting the routing for installation of the new cable.
7. 7

   Clean connection surfaces
   Using wire brush or battery terminal cleaner, thoroughly clean the battery negative post, engine block ground mounting surface, and any ground strap connection points. Remove all corrosion, oxidation, and debris. Clean surfaces ensure proper electrical contact.
   ℹ️Clean metal-to-metal contact is critical for proper grounding and vehicle electrical system operation
8. 8

   Route new negative battery cable
   Route the new negative battery cable following the same path as the original cable. Ensure the cable does not contact hot exhaust components, sharp edges, or moving parts. Install cable clips and retainers to secure the cable along its route.
9. 9

   Connect cable to engine block ground
   Position the negative cable terminal over the ground stud on the engine block. If multiple ground straps share this connection, stack them in the same order as original installation. Install the ground cable bolt and torque to specification using torque wrench.
   Torque spec

   Ground Cable Bolt16 Nm (12 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reinstall ground straps if applicable
    If additional ground straps were removed, reinstall them to their respective mounting points. Ensure clean metal-to-metal contact at all connection surfaces. Torque ground strap bolts to specification.
    Torque spec

    Ground Strap Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Connect negative terminal to battery
    Place the negative cable terminal over the negative battery post. Ensure the terminal is fully seated on the post. Install and tighten the terminal bolt to specification using torque wrench. Do not overtighten as this can damage the battery post or terminal.
    ⚠Overtightening battery terminal bolts can crack the battery post or damage the terminal
    Torque spec

    Battery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall battery hold-down
    Position the battery hold-down bracket over the battery. Install the hold-down bolt and torque to specification. The battery should be secure but not over-compressed.
    Torque spec

    Battery Hold-Down Bolt12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Apply battery post protector spray to negative terminal if desired to prevent corrosion
2. Verify all ground connections are tight and secure with no visible gaps
3. Ensure negative battery cable is properly routed and secured with all clips installed
4. Double-check that cable does not contact moving parts or hot surfaces

Verification

• Attempt to start the vehicle to verify proper electrical system operation
• Check that all electrical accessories function properly (lights, radio, windows, etc.)
• Verify no warning lights related to electrical system appear on instrument cluster
• Reset clock and radio presets as needed
• Perform power window calibration if required: roll each window fully down, then fully up and hold switch for 2 seconds
• Inspect all connection points for proper torque and no visible corrosion or loose connections
• Test drive vehicle and monitor for any electrical issues or warning lights

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