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

[Cynic]

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... 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??

Thanks.

[dumpstafresh]

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.

[Cynic]

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

[dumpstafresh]

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

[Cynic]

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.

[b3lha]

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.