electrical

Battery Cables - Both

for 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo · AWD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

1.5 h

Tools

Steps

✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

Replace both positive and negative battery cables on a 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo, including all ground connections and terminal connections.

Warnings

⚠️Always disconnect negative terminal first and reconnect it last to prevent short circuits

⚠Disconnecting the battery will erase radio presets and may require reinitialization of windows and other systems

⚠Do not allow metal tools to contact both battery terminals simultaneously

ℹ️Ground connections must have clean metal-to-metal contact for proper electrical system operation

Tools required

10mm socket and ratchetEssential

13mm socket and ratchetEssential

Torque wrench (5-40 Nm range)Essential

Battery terminal puller

Wire brush or battery terminal cleanerEssential

Dielectric grease

Contact cleaner sprayEssential

Extension setEssential

Flashlight or work lightEssential

Parts

Positive battery cable assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
Negative battery cable assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
Turn ignition off and remove key fob from vehicle
Open hood and locate battery in engine compartment
Allow engine to cool if recently operated
Take photos of cable routing and connections for reference during reinstallation
Note radio security code if applicable

Procedure

1
Disconnect negative battery terminal
Using a 10mm socket, loosen the negative (-) battery terminal bolt. Remove the terminal from the battery post using a gentle twisting motion. If stuck, use a battery terminal puller to avoid damaging the post. Position the cable away from the battery to prevent accidental contact.
Torque spec
Battery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)
2
Disconnect positive battery terminal
Using a 10mm socket, loosen the positive (+) battery terminal bolt. Remove the terminal from the battery post and position it away from the battery. Cover the terminal with a non-conductive cloth to prevent accidental grounding.
Torque spec
Battery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)
3
Remove battery hold-down and battery
Remove the battery hold-down bracket bolt using a 13mm socket. Lift out the battery carefully and set aside in a safe location. This provides access to cable routing beneath the battery tray.
⚠Battery is heavy (approximately 40-50 lbs) - use proper lifting technique
Torque spec
Battery Hold-Down Bolt11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
4
Disconnect positive cable from fuse box
Locate where the positive cable connects to the main fuse box in the engine compartment. Remove the protective cover if present. Use a 10mm socket to remove the bolt securing the positive cable terminal to the fuse box distribution point. Note the position of any additional wires connected at this junction.
Torque spec
Connector Screws4 Nm (3 lb-ft)
5
Remove positive cable routing brackets
Trace the positive cable along its route and identify all mounting brackets and clips. Remove bracket bolts using a 13mm socket. Note the routing path carefully as the new cable must follow the same path to avoid interference with moving parts or hot surfaces.
Torque spec
Bracket Bolts22 Nm (16 lb-ft)
6
Remove positive battery cable
Once all connection points and brackets are removed, carefully extract the positive cable from the engine compartment. Check for any additional clips or tie-downs that may have been missed.
7
Disconnect negative cable ground points
Locate all ground connection points for the negative cable. These typically include connections to the body, engine block, and chassis. Use a 13mm socket to remove ground strap bolts and ground cable bolts. Clean all contact surfaces with contact cleaner and a wire brush to remove corrosion and ensure proper conductivity.
ℹ️Multiple ground points exist - document each location before removal
Torque spec
Ground Cable Bolt14 Nm (11 lb-ft)
Ground Strap Bolt14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
8
Remove negative cable routing brackets
Remove any brackets or clips securing the negative cable along its route using appropriate sockets. The negative cable may share routing brackets with other wiring harnesses.
Torque spec
Bracket Bolts22 Nm (16 lb-ft)
9
Remove negative battery cable
Extract the complete negative cable assembly from the vehicle, ensuring all ground straps and connections have been disconnected.
10
Prepare new cables and clean connections
Compare new cables with old cables to verify correct parts. Clean all connection points including battery posts, ground attachment points on body and engine, and fuse box terminals using a wire brush and contact cleaner. Ensure all surfaces are bright metal with no corrosion or paint.
ℹ️Clean metal-to-metal contact is critical for electrical system performance
11
Install new negative battery cable
Route the new negative cable following the same path as the original. Install all ground connections, ensuring clean contact between terminals and mounting surfaces. Install ground strap bolts and ground cable bolts finger-tight first, then torque to specification. Do not connect to battery yet.
Torque spec
Ground Cable Bolt14 Nm (11 lb-ft)
Ground Strap Bolt14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
12
Install negative cable brackets
Secure the negative cable routing brackets along its path. Ensure the cable does not contact sharp edges, moving parts, or hot surfaces like exhaust components. Torque bracket bolts to specification.
Torque spec
Bracket Bolts22 Nm (16 lb-ft)
13
Install new positive battery cable
Route the new positive cable following the original path. Install all routing brackets and secure with bolts torqued to specification. Ensure proper clearance from all moving parts and heat sources.
Torque spec
Bracket Bolts22 Nm (16 lb-ft)
14
Connect positive cable to fuse box
Attach the positive cable terminal to the main fuse box distribution point. Ensure any additional wires noted during removal are reinstalled in their correct positions. Install connector screws and torque to specification. Reinstall protective cover if equipped.
Torque spec
Connector Screws4 Nm (3 lb-ft)
15
Reinstall battery and connect terminals
Place the battery back in the tray. Install the hold-down bracket and torque bolt to specification. Clean battery posts with a wire brush. Connect the positive terminal first, ensuring it is fully seated on the post, then torque the terminal bolt to specification. Apply dielectric grease if desired. Connect the negative terminal last, ensuring full seating, then torque to specification. Do not overtighten terminal bolts as this can damage the battery posts.
⚠Connect positive terminal first, then negative terminal last to prevent short circuits
Torque spec
Battery Hold-Down Bolt11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
Battery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)

Reassembly

Verify all cable connections are tight and properly torqued
Ensure no tools or hardware were left in the engine compartment
Check that all cables are properly routed and secured away from moving parts

Verification

Turn ignition to ON position and verify all dashboard lights illuminate normally
Start the engine and confirm proper operation with no warning lights
Test electrical accessories including lights, radio, windows, and climate control
Check for any unusual smells or signs of overheating at connection points after running engine briefly
Reset clock and radio presets as needed
Reinitialize power windows by fully lowering and raising each window while holding the switch for 2 seconds at full up position
Verify no check engine or electrical system warning lights are illuminated

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