'96 80 Wont Stay Running (1 Viewer)

[Uluabob]

Where have you heard this? Why would you run the risk of disabling BOTH vehicles when jump starting?

The good car CAN handle the amps / load from the dead car, because that's what the system is designed to do. The alternator / generator on the dead car has a regulator that SHOULD limit the charging from that vehicle and will therefore not damage the good vehicle.

Also, if the good car is running, your are SUPPOSED to rev the engine to about 2000 RPM to increase the amperage and voltage output of the alternator. If you leave the good car off, you ONLY get whatever power is in the battery. It may not be enough.

If you're dumb enough to hook it up backwards, it will damage one or BOTH vehicles whether it's running or not. Then you have TWO dead cars on the road.

This is why I NEVER trust anyone to hook up to my vehicle except ME. I confirm the markings on the BATTERY, I do NOT go by cable color.

When hooking up:
You should always connect the cables to the DEAD car first. (FOLO)
Connect the cables to the GOOD car second.
Connect the positive cable first on both the good car and the dead car.
Always connect POSITIVE to POSITIVE, regardless of cable color. (This includes positive ground systems.)
Connect the negative cable second on both the good car and the dead car.
Always connect the NEGATIVE to NEGATIVE, regardless of cable color.

When disconnecting:
Always disconnect the GOOD car first. (Last on, first off. LOFO)
Disconnect the NEGATIVE cable first
Disconnect the POSITIVE cable second
Disconnect the cables on the dead car.
Disconnect the NEGATIVE cable first
Disconnect the POSITIVE cable second

Always make sure when handling cables that the clamp ends are kept away from each other, whether you are working on the good car or the dead car.
The reason you hook up the dead car first is because there is always a spark when the connection is made. On the older Lead Acid batteries, Hydrogen is released during charging. This is especially important when DISCONNECTING, as the dead car will have an "envelope" of hydrogen around the battery and the spark CAN ignite it and explode the battery.

Thanks for clarifying thats a thorough review of the process, a neighbor of mine suggested that my alternator may have been damaged somehow in the jump start?

 

[BILT4ME]

Thanks for clarifying thats a thorough review of the process, a neighbor of mine suggested that my alternator may have been damaged somehow in the jump start?

If the cables got reversed when jumping, yes it's possible to kill an alternator.

 

[Uluabob]

If the cables got reversed when jumping, yes it's possible to kill an alternator.

Thanks, I was busy trying to keep my toddler from running into the road so I can't be positive we got all cables correct but am fairly certain we did, my buddy is pretty particular about stuff like jumping, would it start and run tho with a damaged alternator? Sorry for so many questions, thanks

 

[BILT4ME]

Thanks, I was busy trying to keep my toddler from running into the road so I can't be positive we got all cables correct but am fairly certain we did, my buddy is pretty particular about stuff like jumping, would it start and run tho with a damaged alternator? Sorry for so many questions, thanks

It would not start if dead and connected backward.

It WOULD create large sparks and the engine on the good car would pull down hard due to load.

It is possible that the voltage regulator in the alternator got smoked.

Someone else here posted about his 80 that they DID hook it up backwards and he went through the list of things it fried. It was not pretty.

If I'm connecting a battery in the dark, I will find a light of some sort before I connect if I am not 100% sure. You can sometimes feel for the + / - on the battery to confirm, but usually the cable clamp is covering it.

A car with an alternator will continue to run as long as there is a battery in the circuit. If the battery is disconnected, the load will drop and the alternator will stop charging and the car will die.
A car with a generator will continue to run, even if you remove the battery. It's not good for the generator or the voltage regulator, but it will work.

 

[Uluabob]

It would not start if dead and connected backward.

It WOULD create large sparks and the engine on the good car would pull down hard due to load.

It is possible that the voltage regulator in the alternator got smoked.

Someone else here posted about his 80 that they DID hook it up backwards and he went through the list of things it fried. It was not pretty.

If I'm connecting a battery in the dark, I will find a light of some sort before I connect if I am not 100% sure. You can sometimes feel for the + / - on the battery to confirm, but usually the cable clamp is covering it.

A car with an alternator will continue to run as long as there is a battery in the circuit. If the battery is disconnected, the load will drop and the alternator will stop charging and the car will die.
A car with a generator will continue to run, even if you remove the battery. It's not good for the generator or the voltage regulator, but it will work.

Thank you very much for your thorough answers!

 

[Uluabob]

if you close to the OC area, i can help you check it out

Nah I'm up in Ventura County and can't get away from home child care for the foreseeable future! No TLC specialists up here unfortunately so had a mix of experiences with local shops. I've heard there's a few down your way!

 

[BILT4ME]

Nah I'm up in Ventura County and can't get away from home child care for the foreseeable future! No TLC specialists up here unfortunately so had a mix of experiences with local shops. I've heard there's a few down your way!

Can you do any of the work yourself?

 

[Uluabob]

Can you do any of the work yourself?

I can certainly try, I have been wary of messing around with stuff and making things worse. I have been told some horror stories of folks breaking the air mass meter while removing the intake tube. I think I am just kinda afraid to try, I don't have a flat surface to park it on, and was trying to climb around in the engine bay the other day and felt like everywhere I put my weight was worried I was going to break somethings, same guy who told me the air mass meter stories has also warned me about breaking the radiator nipple off. I tend to learn by watching someone do something or reading instructions rather than trying it first and seeing how it goes, maybe it's time to change that!

 

[BILT4ME]

I can certainly try, I have been wary of messing around with stuff and making things worse. I have been told some horror stories of folks breaking the air mass meter while removing the intake tube. I think I am just kinda afraid to try, I don't have a flat surface to park it on, and was trying to climb around in the engine bay the other day and felt like everywhere I put my weight was worried I was going to break somethings, same guy who told me the air mass meter stories has also warned me about breaking the radiator nipple off. I tend to learn by watching someone do something or reading instructions rather than trying it first and seeing how it goes, maybe it's time to change that!

That's great that you're listening and paying attention!

You can do this.

I have a friend neighbor that never turned wrenches.

I worked with him, let him come watch me, and he watched a ton of videos.

He has since rebuilt his front axle, replaced valve cover gaskets, seals, front main, oil pump seals, and much more. He is so proud of his accomplishment s.

You can do it. Between this forum and others near you.