Question re: jumper cables

[Ghost Rider]

I've got a co-worker that needs me to give his car a jump start. I've got the cables and I know the battery is in the trunk. I also know there is a positive post in the engine compartment to hook the positive cable to. My question is, where do I hook the negative cable clamp? Do I just hook onto the fender or what? I haven't had to give anyone a jump in 15+ years.

[Mr_Draco]

There is a little metal stud about as thick as a pencil. It will either be beside the positive post or beside the air box. Hook up the negative to that.

[Blade]

Yea I usually clamp the negative on a stud in the engine bay. Usually its right at the top where the shock are mounted to the car. I don't clamp the negative anywhere else, because I don't know better and I am scared of the rest of car getting fried

[TooCool5]

Every time I jump it ruins my alternator diodes within 6 months after.

[Moriartii]

Have the coworker find someone else to jump his car.
Cheers
Kinley

[Rockin the BlueSS]

Originally Posted by TooCool5

Every time I jump it ruins my alternator diodes within 6 months after.

How did you jump the car? Was your motor running or not running?

It is very important that when you jump a car you have your engine OFF.
if you connect your car to his and let the engine run a little (will add charge to his battery but slowly) then turn your car off, then have the other person start their car.

if your engine is running the alternator is making enough electricity to charge your bat and supply the elec. system if you try to start the other car the alternator has to try and charge your bat run the elec. system and start the other car spiking the diodes...

[2010 SSRS]

I would not use the Camaro for jump starts, have your co worker ask someone else.

[esperman]

I recommend you carry a battery jumpstarter in your trunk.

[Looney Tunes]

Originally Posted by Rockin the BlueSS

It is very important that when you jump a car you have your engine OFF.
if you connect your car to his and let the engine run a little (will add charge to his battery but slowly) then turn your car off, then have the other person start their car.

if your engine is running the alternator is making enough electricity to charge your bat and supply the elec. system if you try to start the other car the alternator has to try and charge your bat run the elec. system and start the other car spiking the diodes...

Great info. Learn something new everyday.

[jwjk]

Originally Posted by TooCool5

Every time I jump it ruins my alternator diodes within 6 months after.

As has been said, the problem is you're jumping the other car with your engine running. Your diodes are dying due to the high current draw from your alternator while cranking the dead car.


Jason

[jwjk]

I realize the following probably doesn't need to be said, but I'll say it anyway.

Hooking up jumper cables to jump start a dead car:

1) Connect a positive (+) end of the cable to the positive (+) of the dead battery.
2) Connect the other positive (+) end of the cable to the positive (+) of the good battery.
3) Connect a negative (-) end of the cable to the negative (-) of the good battery.
4) Connect the other negative (-) end of the cable to a clean, non-painted metal part of the engine with the dead battery.

To remove the jumper cables, remove them in the reverse order.

Also:

• ALWAYS CHECK THE DEAD BATTERY to make sure it isn't cracked. If it is, STEP AWAAAY FROM THE VEHICLE. Try to jump start that battery and... ka-BOOM!
• ALWAYS make sure you've unplugged everything... and this includes radar detectors. People always forget about the radar detectors.

Just doing my part to spare people some agony. The last thing you want is a battery exploding, or blowing up any cell phones/radar detectors you may have in your car.




Jason

[Blade]

^ This.