Jump starting engine battery and potential damage

[twinkletoes]

Hi, I foolishly left headlights on all last night and engine wont start. lights come on but just a click when turning the key. ( 2000 Fiat ducato 2.8itdi ) If I attempt to jump start is they any worries of hurting the charging system? Thanks

 

[Steve devon]

I might be wrong but I was told to switch on the lights of the vehicle you are jumping from, and remove jump leads as soon as engine stars

 

[Coolcats]

Hi, I foolishly left headlights on all last night and engine wont start. lights come on but just a click when turning the key. ( 2000 Fiat ducato 2.8itdi ) If I attempt to jump start is they any worries of hurting the charging system? Thanks

If your jump-starting from another vehicle (or battery) leave it connected for a few minutes then start,

 

[tacr2man]

Safe method Make sure all electrics are turned off on broken down vehicle before doing anything . Disconnect low battery earth , and then connect charging vehicles jump leads to low battery and charge up for about 10 minutes , then disconnect leads , and reconnect earth . Attempt to start . Connect the battery jump cable negative to earth point on charging vehicle last . and remove first when disconnecting .

 

[Vipar]

Hi twinketoes

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those Funsters for the advice they have given me during the past months whilst I have been having battery troubles. Considering I am a numpty when it come to electrics of any sort. You have been very patience with me. I knew ( note I said knew not know ) nothing about multimeters and clamp meters. But with your very valued advice. Today I found out what was making my cab battery flatten after 10-15 days. It was the radio I left it on thinking that when I switched the radio off there would be no power to it. It has a drain even when the ignition is switched off. I have also found out how to check the voltage coming out of the battery charger and why the fuse kept blowing (7) fuses later. Too low a voltage on the cab battery only 4.2 volts. Used the wife’s car Ford Fusion to put some charge into the MH battery left it connected for 15 minutes occasionally taking it up to 2.5k revs for 30 seconds this put enough charge into the MH for me to start it after disconnecting the jump leads. You should have seen the smile on my face. I checked the charge going into the cab battery on idle it was 14.2 volts. So packed everything away. I then turned to the trickle charger I plugged it in and put the clamp meter onto the crock clips and it showed 4.7 volts but only the 6 volt light was showing. Then connected it to the cab battery crossed my fingers and plugged it into a socket in the van and lo an behold all the lights lit upon the trickle charger. O f**k I expected a loud bang. But no it was the trickle charger settings it’s self (smart little bit of kit) It settled down to show 12volts I made sure that the charger is on a metal plate in case it gets hot. Locked the van and went indoors with an even larger grin on my face. Wifey said what you smiling about. When I told her she said see,you are never too old to learn.
I hope that this post might help some other lost in the weird world of 12v electricity it has been a very very satisfying day, thanks again Funsters.

Forgot to add
Neg off first
Neg on Last


Vic

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[Phill D]

If you have ducato then the jump start points are under the bonnet to the right side. Use them.
Connect the jumper leads and leave for a few minutes if it's really flat.
When you switch on the ignition wait until all the warning lights have gone out, except battery and oil of course.
Depress the clutch to take the weight off the gearbox off the starter.
Turn the key to start. Don't rev the guts out of it. Wait a few minutes before disconnect of the jump leads from the ducato before the slave vehicle.
A bit anorachy but should avoid any nasty voltage spikes.

 

[twinkletoes]

If you have ducato then the jump start points are under the bonnet to the right side. Use them.
Connect the jumper leads and leave for a few minutes if it's really flat.
When you switch on the ignition wait until all the warning lights have gone out, except battery and oil of course.
Depress the clutch to take the weight off the gearbox off the starter.
Turn the key to start. Don't rev the guts out of it. Wait a few minutes before disconnect of the jump leads from the ducato before the slave vehicle.
A bit anorachy but should avoid any nasty voltage spikes.

Ive had a good look but dont see any jump start points.... Is it possible that with my van being a 2000 reg, they didn't have them? Thanks

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

If you have ducato then the jump start points are under the bonnet to the right side. Use them.
Connect the jumper leads and leave for a few minutes if it's really flat.
When you switch on the ignition wait until all the warning lights have gone out, except battery and oil of course.
Depress the clutch to take the weight off the gearbox off the starter.
Turn the key to start. Don't rev the guts out of it. Wait a few minutes before disconnect of the jump leads from the ducato before the slave vehicle.
A bit anorachy but should avoid any nasty voltage spikes.

I would love to know where these battery connections are on my 2000/2001 1.9 to Ducato as I just cannot find them, despite many saying they are there.
Pictures would be most welcome, thanks.

 

[Bessy765]

The under bonnet connections are only from 2006/7 . Earlier than that directly on the battery the connect the positive first disconnect last. If the battery is flat run the donor engine at a fast idle for at least ten mins, this give the flat battery to recive some charge and takes the strain off the jump leads.

 

[Jev88]

My 1999 2.5tdi Ducato doesn't have extra jump points as far as I know. There is a handy large metal bracket on front of engine block that can be used for a convenient earth connection though. Probably never needed to fit the extra jump points as my Motorhome doesn't have a fancy ECU computer to upset and the battery is under the bonnet rather than under a seat that would necessitate jump points?

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[DBK]

On later models the + connection is under a little flap. For the - I think you are meant to use any convenient bolt.

 

[Phill D]

Apologies it is only from the x250 models.

 

[2 Jabs]

For RHD the negative is on the slam panel just inboard of the nearside headlamp housing. Just looks like a threaded stud.

 

[I2C]

This is an interesting write-up on the dangers of jump starting a MH, quite a few informative articles on the site, the link was in another thread about leisure batteries.