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We have had so many vehicles come in with issues after jump starting or being jumped thought I would mention this. Now I do not say this is gospel but what I have found best for me.

If you choose to go the DIY method, it’s important to take some precautions to reduce the chances of damage to both the flat vehicle and the booster vehicle.

Here is a brief, step-by-step overview of how I have had the most success safely jump-start vehicle that is, if you choose not to seek professional assistance:

  1. First and foremost, a general safety rule: Never let the cable ends touch each other or the red cable to contact anything other than the positive terminals while you are performing a jump start. This could cause some significant safety hazards and potential electronic component damage, so be very careful with your cable and vehicle positioning.

  2. Make sure both vehicles are off.

  3. Locate the battery inside each car or the jump point.

  4. Start by connecting the cables to the dead battery first. Put the red cable on the positive terminal / jump point on the flat vehicle; then attach the other end of the red (positive) cable to the positive terminal / jump point on the booster vehicle.

  5. You can then move on to the negative (black) cable. Connect, first, to the negative terminal in the booster car then move on to the dead car to connect the negative cable to any unpainted metal surface I have found best directly on the engine paying attention to moving parts when it is started.  When making the final connection (negative / black clamp) make it a quick solid connection fumbling with this move could cause spikes in electronic modules and damage them, be prepared there may be a spark when making this connection this is the time you do not want to be mess around too many on off connections will damage something.

  6. Start up the booster car, and wait a couple minutes to allow the booster car to deliver power to the vehicle with the dead battery

  7. After at least two to three minutes of letting the booster car run while connected to the dead car, attempt to start up the dead car. If it doesn’t work, you may need to let the battery charge longer.

  8. If the jump works, do not disconnect straight away turn off the booster vehicle, turn on the lights high beam of the flat vehicle allow to ideal while still connected for about a minute or so don’t be in a hurry.

  9. Now disconnect the negative / black clamp from the booster vehicle then the red from the dead this reduces the chances of touching the cables together, now the remaining clamps. By having the lights on while disconnecting the light will hopefully absorb any voltage spikes.   

NOTE

It can be days later that the effect of poor jumpstarting can take effect, Too many jumpstarts can also cause a fair bit of damage.

If you can help it do not jump start and do not offer to jump start you may be the hero if all goes well but vehicles or very sensitive to voltage spikes.

Some side effects can be thing like some lights not working, windows stop going up or down or other strange things.

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Hope this helps.

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