Learnt something new about jump starting

[nuttynutz]

useful information,

im sure mechanics will know, but the majority probably don't... well i didn't

 

I was puzzled why a simple jump start to the van was not working, was drawing power but not enough. long story short.

neighbour took a look, said try connecting the Neg/black jump cable to the any metal part of the engine.

voala, started straight away. probably the van battery was so dirty it had a bad connection with the cable.

[Abz]

Didn't know you could use the engine as a ground connection (I know the engine is grounded).

Thanks for putting it up, might have to try that if I ever need to.

[nevins]

Its the best way for sure as it also allows you to get better contact rather then trying to get a good connection on the little battery terminals.

[Ian W]

Absolutely. Is this not the way you're told to do it anyway?

[nevins]

I normally use the engine lift eye thats normally the easiest to access

[n boost]

E46 m3 can be touchy when jump started, so i always leave the headlights on before jumping incase their are any voltage spikes which could cause ecu damage etc.

[tomgeer]

E46 m3 can be touchy when jump started, so i always leave the headlights on before jumping incase their are any voltage spikes which could cause ecu damage etc.

 

So can Supra's, are those surge protectors you can buy any good?

[dr_jekyll]

if you jump start alot of the new hondas , itl switch off the ecu and its back to honda on a flatbed for programming, get your wallet out.

[Matt H]

Isn't it safer to use the negative terminal first before resorting to the chassis?

[Ark]

Isn't it safer to use the negative terminal first before resorting to the chassis?

 

Nope - car batteries can leak hydrogen, and that will obviously be most concentrated near the battery. If the negative jump lead is connected nice and far away, the chance is ignition is very low. Every metal part of the car should be earthed, so it doesn't matter where you connect.

 

In fact, if you follow the Supras negative lead, all it does is trail down the back of the battery and clamp to the floor pan under the battery tray.

[Ark]

Isn't it safer to use the negative terminal first before resorting to the chassis?

 

Nope - car batteries can leak hydrogen, and that will obviously be most concentrated near the battery. If the negative jump lead is connected nice and far away, the chance of ignition is very low. Every metal part of the car should be earthed, so it doesn't matter where you connect.

 

In fact, if you follow the Supras negative lead, all it does is trail down the back of the battery and clamp to the floor pan under the battery tray.

[Matt H]

Nope - car batteries can leak hydrogen, and that will obviously be most concentrated near the battery. If the negative jump lead is connected nice and far away, the chance is ignition is very low. Every metal part of the car should be earthed, so it doesn't matter where you connect.

 

In fact, if you follow the Supras negative lead, all it does is trail down the back of the battery and clamp to the floor pan under the battery tray.

 

Well that's two things i've learnt today... twice!!

[stevie_b]

Last time I read a Haynes manual, it suggested that jump-starting be done by connecting the negative to the engine block or chassis. It quite specifically says not to connect it to the negative terminal. Many people do connect it to the terminal and that's usually fine, but not best practise due to what Ark said.

[deathmonkey]

Thanks for the post, I remember being told something about this, but it was a passing comment and wasn't sure I heard it properly. Thanks!