Earthing point for jump starting from another car

[Moonlight shadow]

Hi everyone,
I need to jump start my late husband's z4 coupe (2006) today as it's going for an MOT tomorrow. The battery is in the boot. I just wondered if you could tell me where the best place to put the black lead to earth it is. Because of how the car is parked the lead from the working car will only reach somewhere in the boot/rear of car. It wouldn't reach anywhere under the bonnet of the car.
Thanks for your advice. I know my husband had put a new battery in just before he died in September, but of course when it wasn't driven for a month when I tried starting it back in October the battery was completely dead. I've only got round to trying to sort things out now.
Thanks.

 

[Usel]

This is sad to hear and I hope you manage to get the car MOT'd.

You must jump start the car from the bonnet and never on the battery.

I can't advise any further, is the manual service book in the glove box? It will have instructions there of how to jump start the car.

Hopefully somebody more knowledgeable will be along soon to help.

What time is the mot?

 

[Lynchy]

Sorry for your loss, perhaps post where you are and a local forum member may be able to help you

 

[smorris_12]

If the battery has been sitting flat for 4 months there's a good chance it's toast - lead acid batteries don't like being left flat for months.

However, the jump points are under the bonnet. There's a capped positive connection on the passenger side of the firewall and a similar negative stud on the passenger side suspension turret.

Good luck!

 

[enuff_zed]

Sad news indeed.
As already stated, say whereabouts you are and hopefully a local forum member can help you out.
I also agree that a battery flat for 4 months may be beyond salvaging.
Got a spare in my garage on the off-chance you're anywhere near Norfolk?

 

[Moonlight shadow]

Thank you all. I'm in Somerset (east Exmoor). I will try to move the car back a bit so that the bonnet becomes accessible. If I can't do that, would an alternative be to get a battery charger and use that rather than the other car? With a battery charger can one put that directly on the battery in the boot or should it also be done from the jump points under the bonnet?

Thanks so much for the advice.

 

[smorris_12]

Yes, battery points under the bonnet are as good as the battery for a charger too.

 

[Moonlight shadow]

Thanks Scott. I'll go and see if I can find the points under the bonnet.

 

[enuff_zed]

Thank you all. I'm in Somerset (east Exmoor). I will try to move the car back a bit so that the bonnet becomes accessible. If I can't do that, would an alternative be to get a battery charger and use that rather than the other car? With a battery charger can one put that directly on the battery in the boot or should it also be done from the jump points under the bonnet?

Thanks so much for the advice.

[ref]smorris_12[/ref], is that anywhere near you in case help is needed?

 

[Moonlight shadow]

Brilliant. It's started! Letting it run a bit and will then see if restarts on own. Couldn't move the car back so cut back a bush and drove the other car through a flower bed to get the bonnets near enough! Squashed daffodils but hey ho!!

 

[enuff_zed]

Resourceful at least :rofl:
Needs to run a good 30 minutes but hopefully all will be good
Not sure what your future plan is but if you keep the car stick around as there’s lots of help to be found in here.
Good luck with the mot

 

[Moonlight shadow]

Thanks enuff-zed. We plan to keep it so will definitely stay on this forum. The car was always earmarked for our son to have - one the globalists couldn't switch off(!) but he's still a year off getting his license. So I'll have to look after it until he's ready for it. Last year's mot had several advisories. Will be a miracle if it passes. Have it booked in for a service the day after so hopefully they can fix anything needed if retest required.

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks enuff-zed. We plan to keep it so will definitely stay on this forum. The car was always earmarked for our son to have - one the globalists couldn't switch off(!) but he's still a year off getting his license. So I'll have to look after it until he's ready for it. Last year's mot had several advisories. Will be a miracle if it passes. Have it booked in for a service the day after so hopefully they can fix anything needed if retest required.

That's good news.
If they suggest anything is needed then it's always worth asking on here as it may prove cheaper/easier to locate bits.
Hell of a car to have lined up for when he's passed his test.
Start checking out the remortgage rates for his insurance. :roll:

 

[Moonlight shadow]

Yes, think he may have to drive something else for a while!

Big thank you to everyone. It restarted on its own okay, so looks like we'll make it to the MOT tomorrow morning.

 

[enuff_zed]

Yes, think he may have to drive something else for a while!

Big thank you to everyone. It restarted on its own okay, so looks like we'll make it to the MOT tomorrow morning.

Apologies for stating the bleedin' obvious, but turn it round while it's running so if you have to jump it again it'll be easier.

 

[Moonlight shadow]

Crikey. Bloody good point!

 

[enuff_zed]

Crikey. Bloody good point!

Made me laugh. Saves a few daffs.

 

[smorris_12]

[ref]smorris_12[/ref], is that anywhere near you in case help is needed?

I'd forgotten that was in the spec box, but no, I'm a good hour away up the top of Somerset. Nearer than Norfolk tho :wink: !

@OP Glad to hear the battery's survived. It might have lost capacity (they do anyway given time) so be careful with too many short shuntings.