jumper cables

[ramairgt19]

hey guys would you do any damage to you car if you boost another car??? the car dead and you jumped started it would there be anything harmfull to my car if i would do that

[Gimli]

Nah, as long as you don't have any battery or alternator problems it won't hurt your car.

[2000GA]

In theory everything should be fine if u connect everything corerct. Me personnally I would never jumpstrart my car if its battery was dead, my dad lost the radio lights in his truck from a jumpstart and everything was hooked right.

[71Z28RS]

As long as you have everything hooked up correctly, it will be fine. Hook up the dead battery first making sure the connectors on the other end don't touch each other (have someone else hold them apart). Then hook up the good battery. I've jump started many cars and I've never had a problem with anything blowing or burning out. If the battery is completely dead, it's a good idea to have the other car revving up a little because the drain from the dead car while trying to start can draw enough on the good car to almost stall it under certain circumstances. Other than that, it's a piece of cake! Good luck.

[rixGAGTphx]

Originally posted by 73Z28RS
As long as you have everything hooked up correctly, it will be fine. Hook up the dead battery first making sure the connectors on the other end don't touch each other (have someone else hold them apart). Then hook up the good battery....
Uhm,... the above may have worked fine for you on many occasions, but it is contrary to the printed advice of *most* (all?) vehicle manufacturers, battery manufacturers, and auto experts.

Published recommendation (from Click and Clack "Car Talk")
http://cartalk.cars.com/Columns/NEW_COLUMNS/Archive/1997/June/06.html
"Ray: You have three objectives when you're jump-starting a car. The primary objective is to not cause an explosion. Objective No.2 is to not damage either car's electrical system. And objective No.3 is to get the "dead" car started.

"Tom: The way to avoid damaging the electrical systems is to clearly identify the terminals of both batteries. Make sure you know which terminal is positive and which is negative before you start. Unfortunately, the markings aren't always as clear as they should be, so you may have to scrape off some dirt or use a flashlight to get a clear look at the marks.

"Ray: Once you've identified all of the terminals, you can proceed to the next step: avoiding an explosion. When batteries explode, it's because a spark has been created in the vicinity of the battery. So the key is to avoid creating a spark anywhere near the battery.

"Tom: Sparks can only fly when you make the very last connection of the jumper cables and complete the circuit; in other words, when you have three cables' ends hooked up and you're attaching the fourth. That's why you want to always make that last attachment away from the battery, and here's how you do it.

"Ray: So here's the procedure. First, make sure the "live" car's engine is turned off. We find this cuts down on necktie-in-the-fan-belt syndrome. Although you could start with either car, we're going to suggest you start by taking one end of the red (positive) cable and clamping it securely onto the positive terminal of the "live" car's battery.

"Tom: Next, take the other end of that red cable and clamp it to the positive terminal of the "dead" battery.

"Ray: While you're over at the "dead" car, take an end of the black (negative) cable and attach it to the negative terminal of the "dead" battery.

"Tom: And then, to avoid an explosion, you attach the other end of the black cable to some large, metal part of the engine block on the "live" car -- not to the negative terminal of the "live" battery. The negative terminal of the battery is simply a ground terminal. And by using another, more remote piece of metal to ground the circuit, you can make sure that any sparks that do fly are kept far away from the battery.

"Ray: OK, now you've avoided both damage to the electrical systems and a major explosion. Good! You're two-thirds of the way there. Now you're ready to start the car.

"Tom: Make sure all accessories (lights, air conditioner, etc.) are turned off in both cars. Then start the car with the "live" battery and keep it revved at medium speed (about 2,500 rpm) for a few minutes. The alternator of the good car will then be effectively "charging up" the "dead" battery. Then try starting the "dead" car. If it doesn't start, rev the "live" car for five or 10 minutes more, and try again."

This procdure avoids the dreaded 'two live clamps' that occurs when both clamps are attached first at the 'live' battery.

Hope this helps.
-Rick

[balludc]

thats really good to know!! i heard it was bad to jump start another car but never understood why... guess that answers that question :thumbs:

-derek