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Jumping a car - Motor dying once the cable is removed
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bkreulen
New User
Jul 16, 2012, 10:28 AM
Post #1 of 7
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Jumping a car - Motor dying once the cable is removed
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Hello all,
I have a Ford Fiesta, 1995 (around there), manual trans. I don't remember exactly how many miles it's got on it, but it's definitely been around the block. I don't know the engine size.....
Yesterday I tried to jump start my car, because it hasn't been used in a long time, and the battery is dead. I jumped it, and let the motor run a little. Everything seemed fine until I unhooked the cables. The motor immediately stopped. I tried again, but this time I let the motor run about five minutes before disconnecting the cables, to let the battery charge up a little bit. The same thing happened when I disconnected the cables: the motor immediately died. The battery is about a year old, but it hasn't been used that much, and looks to be in good shape (no leaking, rust, or other stuff).
I always thought that once the motor has started, the battery wasn't used anymore, that in fact the motor was charging the battery. Am I wrong about this? What's going on? Should I let the battery charge a little while longer, or is there something more serious going on?
Thanks for your help!
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 16, 2012, 10:33 AM
Post #2 of 7
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Re: Jumping a car - Motor dying once the cable is removed
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Remove the battery and have it tested to be sure it is good.
With a fully charged battery or a replacement battery installed connect a volt meter to the battery terminals and measure the charging voltage when the engine is running. Charging voltage should be around 13.5-14.5 volts.
Disconnecting the battery cables while the engine is running to see if the alternator is operational is a good way to fry solid state electrical components inside of electronic modules.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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bkreulen
New User
Jul 16, 2012, 10:52 AM
Post #3 of 7
(2162 views)
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Re: Jumping a car - Motor dying once the cable is removed
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Thanks for the reply!
I'll take it out and have it checked.... and I didn't know about removing the cables while the engine was running.... :-(
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 16, 2012, 2:38 PM
Post #4 of 7
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Re: Jumping a car - Motor dying once the cable is removed
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That remove the battery cable(s) as any indicator ended with generators which haven't been used in decades on end. I didn't think anyone was still alive that would remember that hillbilly trick and then it wasn't the right way to test anything
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 16, 2012, 2:50 PM
Post #5 of 7
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Re: Jumping a car - Motor dying once the cable is removed
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It's the jumper cables that he removed, not the battery cables.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 16, 2012, 3:47 PM
Post #6 of 7
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Re: Jumping a car - Motor dying once the cable is removed
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HT your probably right there.
I apologize to the OP. If it is the jumper cables you removed while the engine is running, that is ok. If you remove the jumper cables and the engine quits, your alternator isn't doing anything. It still is important to make sure your battery is good and fully charged before diagnosing a no charge fault.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 16, 2012, 10:31 PM
Post #7 of 7
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Re: Jumping a car - Motor dying once the cable is removed
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Misread by me - sorry. I do suggest leaving jumper cables on plenty long enough for both vehicles to charge up a known low battery and increasingly use the portable jumper box. If a vehicle dies when removed that means there's more to do as we know and because this is away from shop you don't always have everything with you which is why they make tow trucks.
I would suggest charging battery with chargers not just letting alternators work so hard and we know they do with some ordinary reason a battery is low,
T
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