Yesterday I needed a jump because of a dead battery. I was denied by 3 people claiming it'll damage their cars "computer". One guy said it wasn't his car and the owner might not appreciate it. What gives? I always give jumpstarts and I carry cables for those who don't have any. Some of these people concerned about their vehicles electrical systems were in Full size domestice cars (90's taurus, 90's T-bird, 80's Blazer) none of these cars have sophisticated on-board electronics, so I just rolled my eyes at them when they said this. Anyways is there truth to this?

 

in a way yes.. when you "jump start" another car/truck you are "surging" the dead batter with voltage, the car thats got the good batter has a dramtic amprege draw wich "can" damage your alternator but it is uncomon as long as you hook your cables up right misconception 1 DO-NOT connect batteries dirctly to each other. the ground on the jumper cable to a good ground on the motor the the "dead" car i dont know how helpfull this has been but i will try to get more info on it for you

 

i never jump a car with my old battery. its bad enough as is but in reality i used to do it for people in my old 4 door. that was not a good idea. i ran through alternators and batteries around once a year

 

paranoid. what do you think starts your car? your battery. and with only 12 volts or less. with the car on you have the same battery, plus the incoming 14 volts or more from the alternator.

of course theres always a possibility of a surge, but even as meticulous and **** i am with my car, im still willing to help. the only things i watch for are hooking up the dead battery correctly and not letting them crank a million times in a row.

all big domestics eh? well i wouldnt be surprised if their 'american' engineering has killed a few systems. "sure, what kind of car? oh sorry i cant jump your car, its a domestic." haha

 

I used to give jumps with my car turned off. no problems so far. but im not going to do it anymore unless im jumping my own cars.

 

ya thats basically the same as turning on your own car, its just when you start cranking it a million times that the battery drains, and it gets past the point of no return before it gets recharged.

 

It's not the volts that matter it's the amps.

Either way, there are no issues what so ever with jumping another persons vehicle if your system is fine. Battery to battery.

Just start your engine, hook up the batteries while running and let them start. Run both cars hooked up together so both alternaters can charge the dead battery quicker and after 3 minutes or so remove the wires...your done and you helped someone out.

 

i know how you feel!!! my gf left her lights on when we where over @ stanford shopping center, of course her car wouldn't start. i asked about 5 people. all of them denied me hard. i even had the cables in my hand asking them and begging them. f#ckin punks. karma comes back to you though.

 

ive done my share of helping strangers..one time i even turned my car around on the freeway to jump start their car and that was after i went home to get some jumper cables..! couple of other times too but that was my last one..these days work getting me really tired and im getting too tired to pull over..damn Cop thought i was drunk because i guess i was asain and these were 3 older mexicans that i was helpin out..with my can backwards on the freeway..!
..i think the Karma Police helped me out when i was peeling out and then a real Cop pulled up to the light to the right of me....phew..i couldve gottin in big trouble..!


[Modified by 10K2HVN, 4:33 PM 2/28/2003]

 

ya the cranking amps i know, its just easier to meter voltage.

that reminds me, i should renew my AAA membership. you just cant beat 15bucks a year for 24hr roadside (45 for the main account i think). they even give you upto a gallon of gas i hear.

 

i've jumped countless cars and never had a problem. like the peeps above said connect both to the live and on the dead one, i connect it to the shock tower or the frame.
But when i need a jump no one ever helps me out!