Jumper cables

2006 MAZDA MPV
173,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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BROKENEGGS
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Is it okay to use jumper cables to start this car?
Sep 10, 2019 at 3:22 PM
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BROKENEGGS
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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?
Sep 10, 2019 at 3:26 PM
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KASEKENNY
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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
Sep 10, 2019 at 3:40 PM
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BROKENEGGS
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I have found out it is not the battery. The lights are too bright.
Sep 13, 2019 at 9:55 AM
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KASEKENNY
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 18,907 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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.
Sep 13, 2019 at 8:11 PM
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BROKENEGGS
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You are right , The battery was weak , I jump started it and it is fine now.
Sep 14, 2019 at 10:50 AM
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KASEKENNY
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 18,907 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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
Sep 14, 2019 at 11:22 AM
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BROKENEGGS
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Thanks so much..
Sep 16, 2019 at 6:51 AM
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