How To Jump Start A Car

skyblueheroes · 22-03-2005, 10:55

This may sound really naive, but I have never had to jump start my car after the battery died.

However, last night I left the lights on

, and lo and behold, its as dead as a dodo.

So, how do I do it ? I have the leads, I have the old mans car, so do I just connect and try to start mine ? How long do I need to run for ??

Its a Mk2 Golf (88).

goldoni · 22-03-2005, 11:03

The best bet is connect the jump leads to the dead battery red on the positive side + and black on the Negative Ã¢â‚¬â€œ then without them touching connect the negative lead to the good Battery Black and then the Positive Red. Start the other vehicle and then try to start yours.
Me IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m waiting for my battery to quick charge as I also left my lights on

BBKing · 22-03-2005, 11:04

What works for me is a lead that goes from the lighter socket on the donor car to that on the dead car - start engine in donor, run for five minutes or so, disconnect lead, start car. I've used it three times (I leave my lights on a lot!) and it's been flawless every time. No mucking about under the bonnet. I carry it in the glovebox now.

Aragorn · 22-03-2005, 11:06

And once you've got it started, make sure you keep it going for at least 1/2 hour to build up a charge - go for a long drive in the countryside

**Mick** · 22-03-2005, 11:09

Do you not have an annoying audio warning to say you have left the lights on, if you open your driver door to get out?

STONEISLAND · 22-03-2005, 11:12

Bump start is just as easy. Nutraul down a hill 2nd gear away you go.

joker · 22-03-2005, 11:13

You can jump start a car in two ways.

The first one would be to get the car on a hill turn the ignition till its on and then set off rolling (with the clutch down). Once you have built up some speed but it into second gear and bring the clutch up whilst the car is rolling, should then start up if you if build up enough speed.

The other one is to use the jump leads.

The wires are normally colour coded so it is fairly straight forward. First connect the Black (-) to wire the black wire on the battery is located on one car and then do it to the other.

Repeat the process for the red cables (+), try and keep sparking to a minimum, also be careful and don't let the leads touch or you may cause some damage to the alternator.

Start the good car up and let it run for 2 to 5 minutes on idle (no need to rev the engine as such) and then try and start your car. Depending on how flat the battery is it should start up.

Once you have it up and running take it on a long drive. If fact I would put the battery on charge over night just to make sure it is fully charged again.

HTH

SMHarman · 22-03-2005, 11:14

Or if it is a manual gearbox, turn everything off, heater, lights, fan etc, turn the ignition on, put the car in second gear, push the clutch down, get a couple of your mates to push it and then engage the clutch gently this should turn the engine over and get it running. Don't stall it or your mates will get really hacked off.

skyblueheroes · 22-03-2005, 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick

Do you not have an annoying audio warning to say you have left the lights on, if you open your driver door to get out?

No, thats what gets me everytime. Plus that when the indicator is left on one side, the light stays on.........

**Mick** · 22-03-2005, 11:16

I always thought putting the car in reverse gear and then pushing backwards started the battery better than going forwards, tried it once when I saw a group of lads who were struggling to get a car started pushing it forward, I advised them to stick the gears in reverse and push the car backwards - the car started, no messing.

gazzae · 22-03-2005, 11:18

I've done that in the past a few times. Now I have the benefits of automatic headlights

blackthorn · 22-03-2005, 11:19

The correct way is, first connect positive end to dead battery +
then positive end on good battery +
Then negative to good battery - and then negative to good metal base on the car with the dead battery.

To disconnect, do the above in reverse order.

zoombini · 22-03-2005, 11:21

Doesn't this potentially cause damage to the catalytic converter?

I was told that it can flood unspent petrol into it & cause it harm.
And not to bump start a Zetec engine.

Does anyone know the truth of this?

goldoni · 22-03-2005, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick

Do you not have an annoying audio warning to say you have left the lights on, if you open your driver door to get out?

I have, but this only works if you have the ignition key in, then it goes mad with bleeps as soon as you open the door. But I returned to the van last night to get some books and I must have knocked the lights on.

zoombini · 22-03-2005, 11:30

Then the buzzer needs to be rewired.
It's positive should go to the light's switched +12v & it's negative to the courtesy light -v (I.E. drivers door switch).

It sounds like it goes via the switched 12v for the ignition somehow which is not quite right.