Jumper cables

Tiny
BROKENEGGS
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 MAZDA MPV
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 173,000 MILES
Is it okay to use jumper cables to start this car?
Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 AT 3:22 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
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The battery went dead on this car while it was just sitting in yard over night. What do you think caused it?
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Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 AT 3:26 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Hi,

I feel like I am missing something with this question because I am not sure why you would not be able to use jumper cables. If the engine has a 12 volt battery system then you are fine jumping it with another 12 volt battery.

It is hard to say what caused a battery to drain overnight because any electrical load left on or coming on improperly will cause the battery to drain.

Here is a guide that walks through the basic and most common items:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

If you don't find anything with these items, we will need to perform what is called a parasitic draw test. That is where you hook a meter in line between the negative cable and the negative battery post. Then when you find that you have a draw (10 milliamps or more) you start removing fuses until the draw drops to a normal level. Then you know what fuse caused it and that system is the issue. At that point it is either the component on that circuit or the wiring/switch/relay on that circuit.

Let me know what you find and we can go from there. Thanks
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Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 AT 3:40 PM
Tiny
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I have found out it is not the battery. The lights are too bright.
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Friday, September 13th, 2019 AT 9:55 AM
Tiny
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Okay. Are you saying that the battery is not dead because the lights are bright?

If so, we should still test the battery because the light brightness is a little too subjective. Plus, they only need about 8-10 volts to appear bright but if that is the case, the starter may just click.

Let me know how else I can assist and I will be happy to provide it. Just tell me what the current issue is and we can work through it.
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Friday, September 13th, 2019 AT 8:11 PM
Tiny
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You are right, The battery was weak, I jump started it and it is fine now.
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Saturday, September 14th, 2019 AT 10:50 AM
Tiny
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Awesome. I would just let it idle for a little while but also start preparing to replace the battery. My wife's car did the same thing so it is just a matter of time before it will require replacement.

Thanks for the update and using 2CarPros. Please come back if you have other questions. Thanks
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Saturday, September 14th, 2019 AT 11:22 AM
Tiny
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Thanks so much.
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Monday, September 16th, 2019 AT 6:51 AM

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