2
votes
1answer
248 views

Car starts with push start but not with jump leads

Perhaps somebody can identify this issue. The car is a 2003 BMW Z4. The symptoms are: Car wouldn't start last week Jump leads did nothing Push started the car in 2nd, engine starts. Took The car ...
8
votes
4answers
5k views

Is it possible to harm your car by giving someone a boost?

This post explains why it's a potential hazard to clip to the negative post on the dead battery when giving a boost. But I've also been told that I could damage the electronics in my own car if I give ...
2
votes
2answers
772 views

How to access negative battery terminal in 04 Pontiac Montana

So my hand is all scuffed up from trying to get to the (-) terminal for jumper cables to jump my Ford Focus with the defective trunk latch which apparently has been draining my battery. The fuse box ...
1
vote
1answer
106 views

Sound made in Ford Focus when plugged in

I had a dead battery this morning and plugged in my '03 Focus for the first time to charge up enough to get the dang thing out of the garage. I was a little bit worried when I plugged it in because I ...
12
votes
2answers
2k views

Jump starting a dead battery: Connect black wire to negative pole of battery or grounded metal?

Most of the advice I've seen for jump starting cars instructs to connect the black wire to a bare piece of metal on the car with the dead battery. However, I've always just hooked up both poles to the ...