bonehead move
Must be an up north thing. I've been jumping vehicles all my life in both the big city and the country. On the ranch, jumping tractors, trucks, ATV's anything with a battery. I have never heard or seen anyone jump a dead battery and not have the jumping vehicle running.
My uncle, a lifetime mechanic always instructed me to be safe and have both vehicles off when hooking up the cables. Once connected, start the jump vehicle and let it run a minute or two before turning the ignition on the dead vehicle. From what I've witnessed, most don't wait, everyone is in a hurry. Also, most connect all cable ends to both batteries. I was taught to connect the negative to an unpainted ground under the hood and to always use good heavy gauge cables.
My uncle, a lifetime mechanic always instructed me to be safe and have both vehicles off when hooking up the cables. Once connected, start the jump vehicle and let it run a minute or two before turning the ignition on the dead vehicle. From what I've witnessed, most don't wait, everyone is in a hurry. Also, most connect all cable ends to both batteries. I was taught to connect the negative to an unpainted ground under the hood and to always use good heavy gauge cables.
In my experience, sometimes the vehicle with the dead battery still can't start just by connecting it to a vehicle with a good battery or even trying to start it without letting the vehicle run for a few minutes so the bad battery has a chance to build up a charge for a while.
I have heard the bit about not having a car running when jumping a bike, but not sure of the reason. I've jumped my ridding mower without the vehicle with a good battery running, but that is a small load for car battery.
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Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Kansas City
I admittedly don't know a damn thing about electrical...just have read that a car/truck being bigger could cause issues when running and jumping something smaller like a motorcycle. have seen posts where guys said they "ruined" their bike doing this. I too have always had one vehicle running and never thought anything of it, but after reading stuff I start to second guess! thanks for the help everyone...
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Driftless Area
Never saw so much misinformation in one place.
The reason it is not recommended to jump from a running vehicle is because a stock H-D charging system puts out about 22 amps. My truck, for example puts out 90.
But hey, do what you want, up to and including buying a new ECM to replace the one you fried.
Might not happen every time, but...
The reason it is not recommended to jump from a running vehicle is because a stock H-D charging system puts out about 22 amps. My truck, for example puts out 90.
But hey, do what you want, up to and including buying a new ECM to replace the one you fried.
Might not happen every time, but...
Last edited by RHPAW; Jan 23, 2019 at 12:33 PM.
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From: Great State of Texas
Originally Posted by Michael R Moore
I admittedly don't know a damn thing about electrical...just have read that a car/truck being bigger could cause issues when running and jumping something smaller like a motorcycle. have seen posts where guys said they "ruined" their bike doing this. I too have always had one vehicle running and never thought anything of it, but after reading stuff I start to second guess! thanks for the help everyone...
My experience has been, most vehicles needing a jump have corroded or loose terminals. Often times taking the time to clean with a wire brush and retighten properly will solve the issue and the vehicle will start without being jumped.
I carry tools in my truck as well as heavy gauge cables. I've been flagged down so many times for a jump by people who were having a Prozac moment due to a dead battery. I checked the battery, remove the terminals, clean em up and reattached properly and the "dead" vehicle starts right up. Most people have no clue regarding maintenance. I just happen to be maintenance **** retentive.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,599
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From: Lansing mi
Never saw so much misinformation in one place.
The reason it is not recommended to jump from a running vehicle is because a stock H-D charging system puts out about 22 amps. My truck, for example puts out 90.
But hey, do what you want, up to and including buying a new ECM to replace the one you fried.
Might not happen every time, but...
The reason it is not recommended to jump from a running vehicle is because a stock H-D charging system puts out about 22 amps. My truck, for example puts out 90.
But hey, do what you want, up to and including buying a new ECM to replace the one you fried.
Might not happen every time, but...
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