I've been ill for a while, so the old Seicento has had to sit in the garage for some time.

The car's neglect has led to a flat battery. So, to charge it up, I bought one of those portable jump starters.

The thing is, when I connect it (despite everything being switched off), the indicators flash at random intervals. Is that meant to happen?

I haven't managed to start the car yet because the jump starter was only half charged when I bought it, and the car's battery was completely dead. I followed the instructions and connected everything up right -- red to red, black to ground (the bonnet hinge).

Another point, when I connected the black lead to the bonnet hinge, there was a brief moment of sparking.

Am I doing it right?

First, why not just charge the battery?

Anyway, I'd use the main earth strap from the gearbox to the engine bay (or a suitable part of the engine) rather than the bonnet hinge.

If the indicators are flashing it may mean that the indicators are on, or the hazards. (Is an alarm fitted?) Randomness suggests that the connections are not that good.

wasnt impressed by those jump starters(well the cheap home versions)
should have just got a cheap battery charger

Or a new battery, I suppose the little ones in these dont have much to do, but with big batteries on big engined cars that draw alot of current the battery will never be as reliable once they have been flat for a while.

By the time a jump pack has been bought it could have been a new battery instead!

milktooth said:

Another point, when I connected the black lead to the bonnet hinge, there was a brief moment of sparking.

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That sounds like the leads have shortened out to me

AppleSei said:

That sounds like the leads have shortened out to me

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Not really, more like something was left on, such as the alarm.

Cheers

PD

not even that really, if you connect a 12v source to a dead car battery it'll spark as it tries to charge it.

i wouldnt use the bonnet hinge as an earth point though, use the -ve connection on the battery terminal.

arc said:

not even that really, if you connect a 12v source to a dead car battery it'll spark as it tries to charge it.

i wouldnt use the bonnet hinge as an earth point though, use the -ve connection on the battery terminal.

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I would use part of the engine. I don't like sparks near batteries, they give off gas, bit like me.

Cheers

PD