1996 GMC Sonoma Owner's Manual - Page 191

7. Don't let the other end touch metal. Connect it to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery. Don't let the other end touch anything until the next step. The other end of the negative cable doesn't go to the dead battery. It goes to a heavy unpainted metal part on the engine of the vehicle with the dead battery. 9. Attach the cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the dead battery, but not near engine parts that move. The electrical connection is just as good there, but the chance of sparks getting back to the battery is much less. 10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine for a while. 8. Now connect the black negative (-) cable to the good battery's negative (-) terminal.