Jump Started with Car On
08-21-2018, 07:37 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Jump Started with Car On
Well as the title states today one of my co workers with a 2015 VW Jetta had a dead battery so me having a set of jumper cables I decided to give her a jump. I did the whole process correctly starting with connecting the positive cable and grounding the negative cable on her car’s frame. Her car started right up after 2 tries with the key in the ignition. After all was said and done she drove off to get a new battery and me being a fool I realized I mounted the jumper cables on my car with it still running. Is my alternator screwed? Everything in the car is working fine electrical wise.
08-22-2018, 11:17 AM
#2
You're probably ok. I can't find anything conclusive one way or the other, just random anecdotes.
It's probably more of a belt-and-suspenders thing. In a perfect universe, when you jump-start somebody's car, they're just borrowing you battery for a second - it wouldn't matter if your car was off or not. But in the real world, the car being jumped might have shorts, a damaged battery, or other goofy electrical issues that could damage your battery or alternator system (no good deed...) - having everything off would help prevent that.
For many years, I've carried a rechargeable backup battery jump-starter doodad in my trunk, both for my own use and to help others without having to hook up my car to anybody else's. (In fact. it's old enough I should probably replace it...)
It's probably more of a belt-and-suspenders thing. In a perfect universe, when you jump-start somebody's car, they're just borrowing you battery for a second - it wouldn't matter if your car was off or not. But in the real world, the car being jumped might have shorts, a damaged battery, or other goofy electrical issues that could damage your battery or alternator system (no good deed...) - having everything off would help prevent that.
For many years, I've carried a rechargeable backup battery jump-starter doodad in my trunk, both for my own use and to help others without having to hook up my car to anybody else's. (In fact. it's old enough I should probably replace it...)
The following users liked this post:
justnspace (08-22-2018)
The following users liked this post:
dv- (08-22-2018)
08-22-2018, 11:40 AM
#4
Pro
Thread Starter
That makes a lot of sense. I was worried cause of all the electronics in the Technology Package but since you explained everything I can now rest peacefully knowing that my car is fine. Next time I give a jump I’ll be sure to leave my car off. It’s just the heat of the moment that you forget the critical things. Luckily for me her car was a newer model VW Jetta and her battery was original. Thanks for the swift replies everyone!
08-22-2018, 12:20 PM
#6
Pro
Thread Starter
Last edited by Kinuto; 08-22-2018 at 12:26 PM.
08-22-2018, 05:31 PM
#7
Advanced
If you have your car running, and especially if you keep the engine revved up (not too high but maybe three grand), the load is not nearly as much of a shock to the electrical system because the alternator is spinning fast enough to supply the energy needed.
Trending Topics
08-22-2018, 05:41 PM
#8
Pro
Thread Starter
That makes a lot of sense. I see why some people rev the engine when jump starting another vehicle. I heard a lot of myths about jump starting, especially from co workers. Claims that their alternator went or they fried the cars ECU. Funny thing when I had a 1997 Nissan Maxima I gave a jump to a guy with a 2010 Infiniti G35 well the fool connected the positive on the negative terminals while I had just finished mounting them on my maxima which made his terminals spark like crazy. After I yelled at him and had him put them in the proper order I then jump started his car and he drove off. I wonder whatever electrical problems that car had afterwards. My maxima was fine battery and alternator, no electrical issues whatsoever.
08-22-2018, 06:39 PM
#9
Pro
Thread Starter
08-22-2018, 07:16 PM
#10
Latent car nut
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Southern New Hampshire
Age: 68
Posts: 7,844
Received 2,005 Likes
on
1,407 Posts
Well as the title states today one of my co workers with a 2015 VW Jetta had a dead battery so me having a set of jumper cables I decided to give her a jump. I did the whole process correctly starting with connecting the positive cable and grounding the negative cable on her car’s frame. Her car started right up after 2 tries with the key in the ignition. After all was said and done she drove off to get a new battery and me being a fool I realized I mounted the jumper cables on my car with it still running. Is my alternator screwed? Everything in the car is working fine electrical wise.
08-22-2018, 09:15 PM
#11
Pro
Thread Starter
Wow so I guess I have nothing to worry about then! A lot of the instructions online state to shut the donor car off before connecting the cables and then restarting it. They all state major damage to Newer vehicles cause of all the technology and electronics, basically avoid giving boost to other cars. But funny thing is the owners manual says it’s safe and even shows a diagram how to do so.
08-22-2018, 09:23 PM
#12
Pro
Thread Starter
08-23-2018, 10:15 AM
#13
Advanced
I actually have two $1,100.00 lithium ion batteries in my Ferrari in addition to a standard lead acid battery. They are used primarily for my monster 3000 Watt sound system, but if I go out of town on business for a few weeks, I'll flip a toggle switch to engage the two LiOn batteries before I hit the ignition and the car fires right up with authority. In a sense, this is like jump starting the car.
08-23-2018, 11:57 AM
#14
Senior Moderator
I actually have two $1,100.00 lithium ion batteries in my Ferrari in addition to a standard lead acid battery. They are used primarily for my monster 3000 Watt sound system, but if I go out of town on business for a few weeks, I'll flip a toggle switch to engage the two LiOn batteries before I hit the ignition and the car fires right up with authority. In a sense, this is like jump starting the car.
I have a battery tender that costs less
awesome ride though
08-23-2018, 12:48 PM
#15
Pro
Thread Starter
I actually have two $1,100.00 lithium ion batteries in my Ferrari in addition to a standard lead acid battery. They are used primarily for my monster 3000 Watt sound system, but if I go out of town on business for a few weeks, I'll flip a toggle switch to engage the two LiOn batteries before I hit the ignition and the car fires right up with authority. In a sense, this is like jump starting the car.
08-23-2018, 12:58 PM
#16
Latent car nut
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Southern New Hampshire
Age: 68
Posts: 7,844
Received 2,005 Likes
on
1,407 Posts
I actually have two $1,100.00 lithium ion batteries in my Ferrari in addition to a standard lead acid battery. They are used primarily for my monster 3000 Watt sound system, but if I go out of town on business for a few weeks, I'll flip a toggle switch to engage the two LiOn batteries before I hit the ignition and the car fires right up with authority. In a sense, this is like jump starting the car.
08-23-2018, 04:11 PM
#17
Advanced
08-23-2018, 04:15 PM
#18
Advanced
At my age, I prefer to listen to only one 8" subwoofer. At a show, I wear hearing protection and fire all ten 8" subs. The ground literally shakes.
08-23-2018, 04:40 PM
#19
Pro
Thread Starter
Wow that’s impressive! I can imagine the power of that bass. I used to have 2 Kenwood 12’s in my 2007 Honda Civic Coupe it felt like the car was gonna rip apart from the force of the bass. The 4G TL is a very beautiful car! I’m pretty sure back in 09 it was very futuristic looking compared to all the other cars in the market. I always wanted a Type S but even today people still want a fortune for one.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DoC-JoneS
2G TL Problems & Fixes
5
06-04-2013 06:32 PM
Blizzard
Integra
4
03-12-2010 01:10 PM