Jump start packs, good or bad for your car?

[Gerhardm32]

Hi all,

I am thinking of getting myself one these jump start packs, but don't if it's safe to use on the Bmw with all the electronics. Is it going to damage the electronics on my car or not? It's just easier than waiting for someone to jump start you with another car

 

[zaleonardz]

Gerhard.

Perhaps an old wifes tale, but I think it should be safe as long as you turn on the lights so that there is somewhere for that rush of current to go, I always do that on a jump start, just turn on the lights...

Donno how true that is though.

 

[Jandre]

I would've liked one of those this morning. Yesterday morning I reversed the GTI out of the garage, and by yesterday afternoon, the battery was gone. Luckily I have a battery charger. Gave it a rapid charge, and she is starting. Think it's time for a new battery.

With regards to your question Gerhard. The crucks with the electronics isn't neccessarily the actual jump, it's the disconnect of the jumper cables that poses the problem. BMW and VW advise you to turn on the headlights, switch on the rear window demister, and switch on the heater.

Then only do you disconnect the jumper cables/ pack.

Don't know if it is true, but that is what I do, and always will do.

 

[Gerhardm32]

Thanks guys for the info. Never had a car with all this electronics, only 1.3 carb models. Will remember this the next time I need to jump the bm again, should be next weekend. My brother advised me yesterday that he has a tester that will help me solve this running down of the battery. Me thinks it's that freaking level 2 alarm I installed last year. Will be fitting a dry cell motor cycle battery for it soon and will get a jump start pack the end of the month. I bought my first jumper cables only now with this problem on the bm, never owned a set in my life, but with only 1 car it doesn't help much.

 

[Raybimmer]

I also always follow handbooks instructions connect positive cable then negative and then switch on power drain items and remove negative first then positive . What is jump start kit price against price of battery ? Does your alarm work through a specific fuse ?
Hope this is not seen as a thread hijack .......
You can test the load on the battery with the avometer set on amps :
Switch off all electrical items and ignition.
Remove negative battery cable from battery.
Put one test lead on battery terminal and other on cable.
Check the reading on the meter , should be say 100 milliamps or 0,1 amps or so.
If reading is close to 0,5 amps I would expect something wrong.
( Get helper to ) remove and replace each fuse individually , as the fuse is removed and the meter reading drops to normal you have found the circuit with the problem .( mine was boot light ! )

I would rather push my bmw than ride your golf ( not often though:bawling: )
Cheers

 

[Jandre]

I also always follow handbooks instructions connect positive cable then negative and then switch on power drain items and remove negative first then positive . What is jump start kit price against price of battery ? Does your alarm work through a specific fuse ?
Hope this is not seen as a thread hijack .......
You can test the load on the battery with the avometer set on amps :
Switch off all electrical items and ignition.
Remove negative battery cable from battery.
Put one test lead on battery terminal and other on cable.
Check the reading on the meter , should be say 100 milliamps or 0,1 amps or so.
If reading is close to 0,5 amps I would expect something wrong.
( Get helper to ) remove and replace each fuse individually , as the fuse is removed and the meter reading drops to normal you have found the circuit with the problem .( mine was boot light ! )

I would rather push my bmw than ride your golf ( not often though:bawling: )
Cheers

Though I will be there before you..

By the way, guess who came to the rescue of the GTI. Jip, The POFS!

 

[Gerhardm32]

Ray,

The testing you explained is exactly what we are planning to do. We were just a bit busy this weekend, but will get round to it sometime this weekend hopefully, but I am working night shift the whole weekend again:bawling:. The reason why I say it might be the alarm is I had this alarm installed extra in September after the car was stolen and since then I have problems:bawling:. I have no idea where they connected the power for this alarm, so I don't know if it's running of a seperate fuse or with which fuse. My radio is also giving me problems after they worked on my car.:cursin: And just for the record, the battery was replaced 29 March.

 

[Gerhardm32]

Got myself a jump start pack today.

http://www.cashcrusaders.co.za/products/new_goods/9988

No more struggling, waiting for someone to give me a jump if needed:excited:

 

[Gerhardm32]

Got myself a jump start pack today.

http://www.cashcrusaders.co.za/products/new_goods/9988

No more struggling, waiting for someone to give me a jump if needed:excited:

Sunday at 17:30 going to work, what happens, the monster's battery is flat yet again, so I got the change to use my jump start pack to see if it's working. It works like charm, hooked it up and she started right up no problem.:excited::excited:

On the box it says: 300 crank amps / 600 peak amps and the manual states 400 boosting amps, info just for interest sake.

 

[Raybimmer]

Throw the frikken battery out and leave jump pack permanently connected :clap:
bottom line-get manual box and park on downhill !!:excited:
just get manual box and be a real E34 man .......:thumbsup:

 

[Laigo]

Just remember to charge that thing once every few months or so.

 

[Gerhardm32]

Unfortunately it is a brand new battery that's in because I thought the old battery packed up, but it is the alarm draining the battery.

And no, the autobox stays where it is.