Connecting and disconnecting with the donor car running is what causes problems. Load dumping when you remove the flat battery causes a spike from the alternator.
Lost a headlamp jumping someone with the donor car (mine) running.
richms: Connecting and disconnecting with the donor car running is what causes problems. Load dumping when you remove the flat battery causes a spike from the alternator.
Lost a headlamp jumping someone with the donor car (mine) running.
So we should stop the donor car, then disconnect the jumper leads?
I've read in multiple places that by connecting -ve to -ve there is a small risk of doing major electrical damage to the car if a short occurs? Anyone agree with this?
Not heard of that. There is a risk of putting the -ve onto an unsuitable part of the car when the starting current goes thru it. Good luck finding the block under all the plastic covers on modern cars.
STOP the donor car BEFORE starting the recipient car. Otherwise you risk damaging the alternator in the donor car. Let the battery deliver the 400A+ starting current, not the alternator.
I had to replace the diode assembly in my alternator after starting another car (with my car running).
STOP the donor car BEFORE starting the recipient car. Otherwise you risk damaging the alternator in the donor car. Let the battery deliver the 400A+ starting current, not the alternator.
I had to replace the diode assembly in my alternator after starting another car (with my car running).
Never heard of this before I would not stop the donor car
In all seriousness, most modern (and not so modern) car owner's manuals give some instruction on jump starting for that specific model. With the engine and battery often hidden from view, some are providing terminals specifically for jump starting (like the current commodores).
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RunningMan: You could try reading the manual for the car ;-)
In all seriousness, most modern (and not so modern) car owner's manuals give some instruction on jump starting for that specific model. With the engine and battery often hidden from view, some are providing terminals specifically for jump starting (like the current commodores).
The manual for my car which I read only when repairing it, said to stop the donor car before starting the recipient car. It was a 1995 Nissan Bluebird.
grasshoper: I've read in multiple places that by connecting -ve to -ve there is a small risk of doing major electrical damage to the car if a short occurs? Anyone agree with this?
The only situation that I am aware of where this could happen is if one vehicle is +ve earth and the other vehicle is -ve earth. If you connect the jumper leads and the vehicles are already connected to one another (say a door open and touching the other car) you will get a wicked short. Can't think of any other way the above would occur. Of course, not many positive earth cars anymore.
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