Probably a dumb question...jump starting True or False?
 

I know, stupid, but here goes. I have been told, I can't remember by who (someone with a new car; mechanic at a garage where i was getting gas...) that I shouldn't help by jump starting someone else's car with mine as it can screw with the systems in my car...CEL light, Power light etc. computers.
Since my other cars were all older, with not a computer chip anywhere, I don't know... :o A friend just called to see if I can jump his car in an hour as its dead at his work.
So true or false?? :confused:

Thanks.

if their alternater serges or if they have a short or something. it could fry your computer. its happened to people ive known.
im pretty sure a computer can cost a pretty penny, like 3-8 hundred dollars. im not sure for svx's.

Thanks. Don't have the $$ for that...need new tires and rotors first. So I guess I'll call AAA for him. :rolleyes:

i always hook their battery to mine and let MY car run for about 5 minutes or so WITHOUT starting their car. then unhook the jumper cables and try to start their car.
your alternator will charge their battery enough to start their car. that is if their batt. will hold a charge.
it helps to turn off all stereos, lights etc. in both cars

With the Volvo, or the Sprint, it was hook em up and start it up. But with the SVX...figured I'd check what I had heard first.

I don't see any way that jump starting somebody could cause excessive current flow in your ECU. If they have a fault it could, possibly, damage your alternator. We know that a dodgy alternator can cause christmas tree lights on the dash.

I have three cars and two of them don't get driven much and the batteries go down so I jump start all the time. Only problem I've ever had is cheap jump leads melting.

I have heard of this on the first lot of Aus made cars 20 years back but not a problem now. Hope you are sitting down I jump start tractors etc that have 450hp diseals and have never once hurt my SVX computer. So don't worry its not a problem these days

I figured the electrical systems of cars these days were sophisticated enough to make sure something like that couldn't happen...

Your best bet is to buy a portable jump starter. It costs about $40 at Sears. This way you don't need to use your battery. This is what I have in all my cars.

Thanks to all. I hated having to post the question as it seemed so, well... ridiculous. On the other hand, better to ask and know.

yah, i think the one i remember was an 80's sports car, like a "Z" or something.
ive also jumped cars with newer cars and had no problem.
but i dont want to say go ahead and do it. since ive heard not to from good mechanics. id feel somewhat responsible if it costed someone money.
i like the buy a jumper idea.

Your question was/is in no way ridiculous, as is shown by the posts which have followed. The media and those advertising special jumper leads have published a lot of stuff which is incorrect and has caused confusion.

Airing the subject has been very much worthwhile. :)

:):):):D Thanks

I have never had a problem jump starting any of my cars, whether it was new to new, new to old, old to new or old to old. Follow these steps below.

1) Both cars must be off,

2) Hook up a positive jumper cable to the positive battery terminal of the bad battery,

3) Hook up the other positive jumper cable end to the battery terminal of the good battery,

4) Hook up the negative jumper cable to the negative battery terminal of the good battery,

5) Hook up the other negative jumper cable to a ground of the car with the bad battery. ****Do not hook up the negative battery cable end to the negative battery terminal of the bad battery, You may regret it if you do**** If you don't know what 'a ground' is, ask for help.

6) Start up the car with the good battery and let run for at least 3 minutes, revving occasionally.

7) Start car up with the bad battery after other car has ran at least 3 minutes.

8) Disconnect jumper cables in reverse order.


Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any mishaps, misunderstandings or mistakes you or anyone else makes in any attempt at the above instructions. Proceed at your own risk!!

I've jump started other cars using my previous cars, just not with the SVX. :)

i just jump them with my car off no electronics connected, if that doesn't work sux to be you

totally agree, those portable jump packs are a life saver at times, we have 4 at the used car lot i work at, and when i pick up cars, driving to milwaukee, or racine(just below milw) or anywhere, i ALWAYS bring one with me. they are def in my must-have list when it comes to things to have in your car. def worth the money, jsut be sure to have it charged. a drained jump box is completely useless:( trust me. i found out once!

Odd happenings after jump starting
 

I was at an Italian car meet two weeks ago with my Alfa. When it was time to go, the guy next to me tried to start his '95 164LS, and the battery was dead. I offered to jump him off mine. We followed the rules (see Kevin's post, above,) and his car cranked right up. When I took the cables off mine, while it was still idling, the airbag light came on. I shut the car off, re-started it, and everything was normal. That was the most effect I have ever seen from jump starting, and on the 164, with the battery under a cover in the trunk, it is a hassle. But it worked, with no lasting problems. My car is OBDI, and his was OBDII.
Paul