These instructions apply to the GMC Sierra 1500 Mk3 (K2XX) 2014-2018.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
A flat 12 V battery will leave a 2014–2018 GMC Sierra 1500 silent. Rather than clamp the battery posts, GMC gives you an under-hood remote positive terminal under a red cover and a solid engine ground — connect those, ground last and away from the battery, and you keep any spark clear of battery gas.
- Pull the donor vehicle close but not touching. Both parking brakes on, automatics in P (4WD transfer case in a drive gear), both ignitions off.
- Lift the red cover off the Sierra’s remote positive (+) stud.
- Red (+) cable to the Sierra’s remote positive, then its other end to the donor’s positive (+).
- Black (−) cable to the donor’s negative (−), then its other end to bare unpainted metal on the Sierra’s engine (the bracket bolted to the engine) — not the dead battery post.
- Run the donor a few minutes, then start the Sierra.
- Pull the cables in reverse order and let the truck idle to recharge.
FAQ
Where’s the positive connection?
Under the red cover at the remote positive stud in the engine bay — GMC routes it there so you don’t work over the battery.
Why not ground to the battery?
The last clamp can spark and the battery vents hydrogen; grounding to engine metal keeps that spark away from the gas.
Still no crank.
Check the clamps bite clean metal, give the donor a few minutes first, and switch everything off. A slow crank or repeat failure means the battery or alternator needs testing.
Push-start instead?
No — the automatic can’t be push-started. Use cables or a jump pack.
The GMC Sierra 1500 is mechanically identical to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, so this procedure is the same on both trucks — see our Chevrolet Silverado 1500 guides.
If your Sierra logs a trouble code with the warning light, decode it on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with GMC. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.