Just got off work, and having never tried to jump start before could someone give me a thumbnail sketch as to how you do this?

Thanks
Charlie

No thumbnail for you, but here is what you want to do:

1. Park two cars nose to nose and leave one running.
2. Connect one alligator clip on one jumper cable to the positive (labeled with + or is red) terminal on the dead battery.
3. Connect the other end of that cable to the positive terminal on the good battery on the running car.
4. Connect one alligator clip on the other cable to the negative terminal on the good battery.
5. Connect the other end of that cable to a ground on the engine block of the car with the dead battery.
6. Crank the car with the dead battery.
7. Remove clips in the reverse order.

Safety warning- do not let any of the alligator clips touch each other, the wrong terminals on the battery, or the ground. That would be bad...

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Andrew

1989 Volvo 745- 202K

Thanks, but I know how to start a car with a dead battery. What I was trying to find out was how to by pass the neutral and ignition switch thereby engaging the starter. Sorry for the confusion.


Charlie

The terminal block is on the inner fender, just forward of the battery. There are two large gauge wires and two small gauge wires attached to it. Short one of the large cables to the small cables with a wire or screwdriver to energize the starter. As previously posted, if this works, the starter is probably fine.

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'83 300D Turrrbo 295K miles

This may seem to be a stupid question, but when by passing the NSS and ignition switch by the jumper method, can this be done with one person? Or does someone need to turn key as if they're trying to start the car?

Thanks
Charlie

Anyone?

Yes, you can do it by yourself. Just put the keyswitch in the #2 position, so, if it works, the engine will run. You do not need to hold it in the "start" position during the attempt.

I haven't had a chance to try the jumper method. Does anyone have a picture of this?

Thanks again
Charlie

See if this helps. OK, pic won't send. At the "buss" on inner fender, follow the battery cable, there is a flip top plastic box. Open, there are three screws, touch the first and third screws, without causing yourself, or anyone else, harm. A pair of pliers works just fine. I use a store bought bump starter, connecting the alligator clips on said terminals, pulling the trigger. Anyway, the starter will engage. As per BC, turn ignition to where ever he said to.

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83 SD

84 CD

Update: I touched the first and third screws nothing happened. No spark or arc, nada. I had a screw driver tip on the first screw and another screw driver tip on the third and then touched the two screw drivers togather.
I also removed the screw and cleaned the wires attached to it. Does the third screw, the one closest to the front of car, have any wires leading to it? Mine only has a female end of a wire connector attached.
Why wouldn't I at least get an arc or spark when touching the screw drivers togather?

Charlie

Charlie,

My 1984 300D also failed to start last Wednesday, just as it seems yours has, with no response whatsoever after turning the key (as I have seen before when I forgot to put the car in park, in fact at first I had thought that was the problem), so I have been following this thread ever since and have had some success. Here’s what I have found so far:

First, my positive battery cable was very loose and frayed, so I replaced the end with a new clamp-on type (although I am certain that had noting to do with the problem).

Next, I followed the instructions posted here and elsewhere regarding the starter jump method, following these steps:

• I turned my key to the #2 position (gauges, glow plug indicators, etc. all perk up).
• I then went to the small plastic box on the right side, a foot or so in front of the battery, & removed the plastic cover exposing the three screws.
• Using an insulated needle-nosed pliers, I touched the first small screw and the next larger screw and could hear what I assume is my glow plug relay clicking on and off, but no response from the starter.

When this procedure failed to turn the starter over, I did a little more research here and found the following post from LarryBible:

At this point, I wasn’t even sure where the starter was located or what it looked like. I had also never even seen my jack or lug wrench (so far, I have always been able to use a set of ramps for any sub-chassis maintenance). After I located both of these, I put the front end up on stands and located the starter on the right side of the car, not far behind the oil pan. I found no connections on the starter itself, but there was a small exposed wire lug on the solenoid, as well as a larger lug covered by a rubber boot. I carefully peeled back the rubber boot and using the blunt end of my lug wrench I quickly jumped the smaller lug with the now exposed larger one, just like the man said (thinking I may get quite a shock from this, I was wearing mechanic’s gloves at the time). I did get the momentary jump, as described, and was then able to start my car with the key.

So, like I said, I have had some success. Unfortunately, I’m guessing this now means that I have to replace the solenoid and it seems that in order to that, the starter needs to be removed as well.

My question now to anyone else who may be monitoring this, since removing and reinstalling the starter appears to be somewhat difficult, does it make sense to just go ahead and replace the starter at this time as well, or am I missing something?

I hope this helps,



Chris

I certainly wouldn't go to the trouble of removing the starter without replacing it with a new one. As I recall, I had to replace mine at about 300K miles.

Thanks Chris, that helpls a lot. From what you said I should jump the 1st and 2nd screws. Then if that fails I'll have to do as you did. I hope it's not the starter.

Charlie

Chris did you get your starter replaced? I'm about to go work on my car now. Luckily, the car is a supermarket parking lot. Downside is that it is expected to reach 99 deg with almost same amount of humidity. Oh well such is life

Charlie

No, unfortunately that will have to wait until next weekend. Good luck in that heat, that’s got to be miserable.