nuttynutz Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 useful information, im sure mechanics will know, but the majority probably don't... well i didn't I was puzzled why a simple jump start to the van was not working, was drawing power but not enough. long story short. neighbour took a look, said try connecting the Neg/black jump cable to the any metal part of the engine. voala, started straight away. probably the van battery was so dirty it had a bad connection with the cable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Didn't know you could use the engine as a ground connection (I know the engine is grounded). Thanks for putting it up, might have to try that if I ever need to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevins Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Its the best way for sure as it also allows you to get better contact rather then trying to get a good connection on the little battery terminals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian W Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Absolutely. Is this not the way you're told to do it anyway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevins Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 I normally use the engine lift eye thats normally the easiest to access Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n boost Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 E46 m3 can be touchy when jump started, so i always leave the headlights on before jumping incase their are any voltage spikes which could cause ecu damage etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomgeer Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 E46 m3 can be touchy when jump started, so i always leave the headlights on before jumping incase their are any voltage spikes which could cause ecu damage etc. So can Supra's, are those surge protectors you can buy any good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_jekyll Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 if you jump start alot of the new hondas , itl switch off the ecu and its back to honda on a flatbed for programming, get your wallet out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Isn't it safer to use the negative terminal first before resorting to the chassis? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Isn't it safer to use the negative terminal first before resorting to the chassis? Nope - car batteries can leak hydrogen, and that will obviously be most concentrated near the battery. If the negative jump lead is connected nice and far away, the chance is ignition is very low. Every metal part of the car should be earthed, so it doesn't matter where you connect. In fact, if you follow the Supras negative lead, all it does is trail down the back of the battery and clamp to the floor pan under the battery tray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Isn't it safer to use the negative terminal first before resorting to the chassis? Nope - car batteries can leak hydrogen, and that will obviously be most concentrated near the battery. If the negative jump lead is connected nice and far away, the chance of ignition is very low. Every metal part of the car should be earthed, so it doesn't matter where you connect. In fact, if you follow the Supras negative lead, all it does is trail down the back of the battery and clamp to the floor pan under the battery tray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Nope - car batteries can leak hydrogen, and that will obviously be most concentrated near the battery. If the negative jump lead is connected nice and far away, the chance is ignition is very low. Every metal part of the car should be earthed, so it doesn't matter where you connect. In fact, if you follow the Supras negative lead, all it does is trail down the back of the battery and clamp to the floor pan under the battery tray. Well that's two things i've learnt today... twice!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Last time I read a Haynes manual, it suggested that jump-starting be done by connecting the negative to the engine block or chassis. It quite specifically says not to connect it to the negative terminal. Many people do connect it to the terminal and that's usually fine, but not best practise due to what Ark said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathmonkey Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 Thanks for the post, I remember being told something about this, but it was a passing comment and wasn't sure I heard it properly. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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