Jump starting? Can I do it or is it a firm no?

[rossyl]

Hi,

So i was meant to be taking the car for its MOT today - guess what flat battery. Serves me right I suppose for not driving it for a few weeks.

I can jump start it off another car but am unsure if that might cause issues.

I've turned off the battery isolator and had it hooked up to the working battery for some time, but on turning the battery on again i got nothing at all.

Can I jump it, or is the only method a battery charger? and wait some hours?

Thanks

EDIT: having done some research of my own, please see this:

Some consensus would be great, as I might not have ended up £100 down from buying a new battery!

The Owner's Manual (http://www.maserati.com/mediaObject...M138_UM_ing/original/68685800_M138_UM_ing.pdf) states:

PAGE 172

Starting with the auxiliary
battery
See the section "Starting the engine"
contained in the chapter "Using the
Vehicle".
WARNING: Under no circumstances
should a battery charger be used for an
emergency start-up: This could
damage the electronic systems,
particularly the control units
managing the ignition and fuel supply
functions

and

PAGE 117
Emergency starting with
auxiliary battery
If the battery is discharged, the engine
can be started using another battery
having the same or slightly higher
capacity than the flat one.
Follow the below instructions:
1) Connect the positive terminals (+) of
the two batteries with a jumper cable.
2) Connect the negative terminals (–)
of the two batteries with a jumper
cable.
3) Start the engine.
4) When the engine starts, remove the
jumpers cables in reverse order.
If the car does not start after several
attempts, do not persist contact your
Authorized Maserati Dealer.

I had taken this to mean that a battery jump pack should not be used for jump staring the car. Maybe i misinterpreted, and it meant a battery charger that is plugged into the mains electricity?

This and certain horror stories on the internet of jump starting led me to just leave the jump starting well alone.

[It would appear that The Dark Side cannot be linked to, so i have edited] This comment http://www.*********************/fb.asp?m=47210 .......

I jump started my car 3 times a couple of months ago, first couple of times no problem at all, the 3rd time fuse blown (number 16) and the rev counter stopped working. should have stuck with my gut and got the battery recharged has any one has any idea on how to get the rev counter working again?? any help would be much appreciated

This comment was enough to make me not bother jump starting, for the sake of £100.

There is also conflicting information regarding how to jump start - from a jump pack or from a car. I had always thought a jump pack was better, due to no surges.

http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/coupe-spyder-gs/14738-car-goes-cli-cli.html#post135299 this http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/granturismo/11469-how-jump-start-granturismo.html#post101465
Both of the above links state you should jump start using a jump battery pack NOT another car, due to surges.

But then there is this http://www.*********************/fb.asp?m=47096 which states

There might be a confusion between "Standard Jumpstart" i.e. help your car start with another car and "Boost Jumpstart" i.e. using an electric booster (or charger that has a Starting mode with much more amper). These booster can damage electronic component while I don't see any risk if you make a standard jumpstart as golfgti.man has done.

I'm not having a go at anyone's thoughts, just that for me it lead to further confusion and for me to conclude that jump starting was not worth it.

Also, if one had to jump start, what earthing point would you use? There is no earthing point in the battery cubby hole - just lots of relays!

 

[2b1ask1]

For the sake of it Ross, I'd jump in my other motor down to the nearest motor factors and buy a new battery... The come fully charged and it's an end to your woes; assuming you have got shot of the nav-trak tracker as this will almost cirtainly be the killer of the last one!

That and not driving it enough!

Personally I wouldn't risk a jump as there are far too many black boxes to risk it for my liking...

 

[rossyl]

Thanks. That makes sense.

Does anyone know what battery I should try and buy?

It's a fairly new battery, so I am hoping it is recoverable and might try buying a charger from nearby. I'll have to get the Navtrack removed in the very near future.

Think it won't do the jump start

 

[2b1ask1]

THere's a few threads in the 4200 section of removing the tracker, I did one and there are a couple of others as they ar in all sorts of locations. The important thing to know is that when you don't have the system online the unit in your car will go into panic and keep skwarking as if it's stolen because nobody is telling it it's ok... this kills its stupid gel battery pack (they only last 4-6 years) and the system keeps trying to charge it anyway 24-7 so it will drain the main battery in about 3 weeks.

good luck and remember the battery you want is by code from yours rather than wakling in and sayin the ££££ word Maserati - they are also reversed pole batteries so be aware(+ & - are at the oposite ends to most batteries).

 

[rossyl]

Thanks Newton

 

[Parisien]

How old was your current battery.....aren't most guaranteed 4 yrs plus?

Yes, try to get a slightly more powerful one......cranking capacity

They don't like much being stood too long......but mine starts after a 2 week period, it did last week anyways


P

 

[jamesc69]

THere's a few threads in the 4200 section of removing the tracker, I did one and there are a couple of others as they ar in all sorts of locations. The important thing to know is that when you don't have the system online the unit in your car will go into panic and keep skwarking as if it's stolen because nobody is telling it it's ok... this kills its stupid gel battery pack (they only last 4-6 years) and the system keeps trying to charge it anyway 24-7 so it will drain the main battery in about 3 weeks.

good luck and remember the battery you want is by code from yours rather than wakling in and sayin the ££££ word Maserati - they are also reversed pole batteries so be aware(+ & - are at the oposite ends to most batteries).

I've got a Nav Trac technician visiting this afternoon to check state of onboard tracker battery. I will update forum later if he provides any useful info.

James

 

[NickP]

I've jumped mine a few times when its been sat for a while (month plus), I changed the battery after I purchased the car so mine is new, I've also used it to jump other cars. Its a battery, jump starting will not cause a problem. If you are having trouble starting regularly then I would consider a new battery, but if you know you havent used the car in a while then a good drive after a jump start will sort it out.

 

[TridentTested]

I've jumped mine a few times when its been sat for a while (month plus), I changed the battery after I purchased the car so mine is new, I've also used it to jump other cars. Its a battery, jump starting will not cause a problem. If you are having trouble starting regularly then I would consider a new battery, but if you know you havent used the car in a while then a good drive after a jump start will sort it out.

I'm happy it worked for you but you are a braver man than me. On the Alfa boards there are cases of all the air bags going off if you reconnect a battery too soon after disconnecting it - never mind the voltage spike a jump start would cause.

When my QP went flat (yes, it still has the Navtrak installed) I recharged it over night and waited.

 

[rossyl]

Hi,

I solved the issue with a new battery...bit of a waste of money but oh well. I bought a Bosch S5 096 as has been mentioned on these forums beforre. The car had a Bosch S3 007.

I intend to buy a CTEK XS800 b attery charger/conditioner and keep the Bosch S3, that I removed from the car, on charge so that should I have an issue with the battery in the car I already have a fully charged spare. It will work out considerably cheaper than having to buy a new one!

Thanks
R

 

[dem maser]

Mine went flat last xmas if you remember.....i jump started it using a pack i got and never gave me trouble since

 

[DaveT]

Done this a few times on my previous Massers. Never had an issue.

Might just have been lucky!

Having said that I now have a trickle charger ready for the cold nights.

 

[Gixerboy]

Never ever had a problem either, nothing to do with bravery ...Jump starting is not a problem with any car, when connecting 2 batteries in parrellel the voltage does not exceed the value of the charged/ engine running battery. As long as a good connection is made, the voltage will remain stable.
No such thing as a voltage spike on from a DC battery by the way.Even if the donor cars engine is running the battery will act as a regulator keeping voltage down to a stable 13.8v.

Once Running disconnect live from live first, avoiding meta work.

Cheers
Dave

 

[dem maser]

Why live from live?

I disconnect anything thats there....usually black as its pointed at me

 

[Gixerboy]

Live first so you remove the risk of shorting. The negative lead is body potential so no issue if that touches any metal by accident.
Dave

 

[dem maser]

Ive been lucky!!

 

[bigbob]

My 4200 was jump started three times without issue. Used a box rather than another car though.

 

[rossyl]

Some consensus would be great, as I might not have ended up £100 down from buying a new battery!

The Owner's Manual (http://www.maserati.com/mediaObject...M138_UM_ing/original/68685800_M138_UM_ing.pdf) states:

PAGE 172

Starting with the auxiliary
battery
See the section "Starting the engine"
contained in the chapter "Using the
Vehicle".
WARNING: Under no circumstances
should a battery charger be used for an
emergency start-up: This could
damage the electronic systems,
particularly the control units
managing the ignition and fuel supply
functions

and

PAGE 117
Emergency starting with
auxiliary battery
If the battery is discharged, the engine
can be started using another battery
having the same or slightly higher
capacity than the flat one.
Follow the below instructions:
1) Connect the positive terminals (+) of
the two batteries with a jumper cable.
2) Connect the negative terminals (–)
of the two batteries with a jumper
cable.
3) Start the engine.
4) When the engine starts, remove the
jumpers cables in reverse order.
If the car does not start after several
attempts, do not persist contact your
Authorized Maserati Dealer.

I had taken this to mean that a battery jump pack should not be used for jump staring the car. Maybe i misinterpreted, and it meant a battery charger that is plugged into the mains electricity?

This and certain horror stories on the internet of jump starting led me to just leave the jump starting well alone.

[It would appear that The Dark Side cannot be linked to, so i have edited] This comment http://www.*********************/fb.asp?m=47210 .......

I jump started my car 3 times a couple of months ago, first couple of times no problem at all, the 3rd time fuse blown (number 16) and the rev counter stopped working. should have stuck with my gut and got the battery recharged has any one has any idea on how to get the rev counter working again?? any help would be much appreciated

This comment was enough to make me not bother jump starting, for the sake of £100.

There is also conflicting information regarding how to jump start - from a jump pack or from a car. I had always thought a jump pack was better, due to no surges.

http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/coupe-spyder-gs/14738-car-goes-cli-cli.html#post135299 this http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/granturismo/11469-how-jump-start-granturismo.html#post101465
Both of the above links state you should jump start using a jump battery pack NOT another car, due to surges.

But then there is this http://www.*********************/fb.asp?m=47096 which states

There might be a confusion between "Standard Jumpstart" i.e. help your car start with another car and "Boost Jumpstart" i.e. using an electric booster (or charger that has a Starting mode with much more amper). These booster can damage electronic component while I don't see any risk if you make a standard jumpstart as golfgti.man has done.

I'm not having a go at anyone's thoughts, just that for me it lead to further confusion and for me to conclude that jump starting was not worth it.

Also, if one had to jump start, what earthing point would you use? There is no earthing point in the battery cubby hole - just lots of relays!

 

[hodroyd]

I always go straight battery to battery connection, in fact I had to exterior start our 3200 this morning and used our made for the job charger with start facility, all was fine.

 

[rossyl]

As an aside, my car sailed through its MOT