You can do that, but don't run a car very long without the cables hooked to

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Nov 14, 2019
8:17:34am

BYUMizzou All-American

You can do that, but don't run a car very long without the cables hooked to

the battery. Your alternator doesn't produce consistent power output. It will ebb and spike. Your battery acts as a buffer between the alternator and your car's electrical systems and smooths out any spikes in current. Running your car without the battery connected can cause you to blow fuses or fry electrical systems.

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BYUMizzou

Previous username: Mark Harlan
Bio page: BYUMizzou
Joined: Aug 25, 2010
Last login: May 5, 2024
Total posts: 38,198 (8,673 FO)

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Messages

Author

Time

Tried jump starting the car. Wouldn't start. What's next?

Cougarrr

11/14/19 7:31am

Dude, have it towed to a shop, it's your fuel pump

Zip

11/14/19 7:38am

I'm afraid you might be right.

Cougarrr

11/14/19 8:08am

Are you sure you hooked the jumper cables up to the correct ears?

foofcoug

11/14/19 7:41am

XL Pizza dishes?

11/14/19 7:46am

What type of car were you using to jump and what type of car were you jumping?

scall

11/14/19 7:42am

Beware the cheap set of jumper cables, too.

Corn Pop

11/14/19 7:51am

Some details if you would, please...

11/14/19 7:45am

Need more information. Your original post said your car has progressively

BYUMizzou

11/14/19 7:45am

So far it sounds like a failing starter motor or a bad/corroded ground connection at the battery.

Bert609

11/14/19 7:57am

That's my guess too. I generally categorize failure to start problems into 3

BYUMizzou

11/14/19 8:00am

CLogged fuel filter?

11/14/19 7:48am

More information

Cougarrr

11/14/19 8:04am

So what you have is an electrical issue, not a fuel delivery issue. You're not

BYUMizzou

11/14/19 8:10am

Yup, pull the negative terminal off and bang it against something and see if any corrosion comes out, my

Bert609

11/14/19 8:20am

Check your battery terminals and cables. Take them off and clean with a terminal

LaserCoug

11/14/19 8:12am

If you want to isolate if it's the battery, jump it this way.

11/14/19 8:12am

You could also swap out the battery with another car but I'm too lazy

11/14/19 8:16am

You can do that, but don't run a car very long without the cables hooked to

BYUMizzou

11/14/19 8:17am

Very true. As long as the jumper cables are connected they should be ok.

11/14/19 8:22am

Haven't tried that before.... makes sense though. Thanks for the idea!

11/14/19 8:28am

I had never heard of a dead battery interfering with the ability to jump

11/14/19 8:32am

A dead battery will suck the life out of the jumping

hitechcpa

11/14/19 8:38am

I knew that about dead batteries... some just truly die and a jump won't cut it.

11/14/19 8:42am

RE: More information

11/14/19 8:13am

No noise most of the time. Once in a while it will sound like it starting to

Cougarrr

11/14/19 8:16am

I think it's just a power supply issue then.

11/14/19 8:25am

So assuming it is not the battery, that is what my 06 Honda Accord did before the starter went out.

scall

11/14/19 8:15am

It's your alternator. Take it to the shop.

SJS

11/14/19 8:39am

A bad alternator won't keep it from starting.

John Doe

11/14/19 8:48am

It absolutely can. Let me tell you the story of my 86 Corolla

SJS

11/14/19 8:50am

I think it might be my battery cables. They look terrible.

Cougarrr

11/14/19 8:43am

If you're handy then it'll only set you back $20 and about 30-45 minutes.

11/14/19 8:48am

Cheap jumper cables have caused more bad diagnoses and wasted time than most people will ever admit.

John Doe

11/14/19 8:50am

These are good jumper cables for the price. I have a 25' pair. I can jump a

BYUMizzou

11/14/19 8:55am

1 gauge? Nice.

John Doe

11/14/19 9:00am

Nice Humblebrag!!!

11/14/19 9:02am

Funny story. About 20 years ago I had an old Mercury Tracer

11/14/19 9:01am

Usually, the end is all you need to replace. Depending on the car, cables can be quite pricey and difficult.

John Doe

11/14/19 11:43am

You should....

BYU Grounds

11/14/19 11:15am

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