Electrics: Jump starting a Passat from a V70

[Stone Free]

The battery has died on my VW Passat & I need to jump start it off my Volvo V70...

Anything I need to look out for while undertaking this ?

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by Stone Free

Anything I need to look out for while undertaking this ?

It depends.
Where and in what order are you connecting the leads on each car?

[Simon Jones]

Just follow the info in the manual regarding use of jump leads. The Passat will no doubt have similar instructions in its manual.

[Brendan W]

Quality of the jump lead. It's becoming rare to find off the shelf leads that actually work. Most of the mechanics around here have doctored them by fitting proper clamps from a welding supply. Inside the last year I have come to the rescue of a number of individuals and in all cases failed to transfer enough juice using their, in some cases brand new, jump leads.

[oragex]

I was never successful to jump start a car at the battery by connecting one clamp to the chassis. But it worked with both plugs directly on the flat battery. If anyone knows the reason why..?

Just make triple sure to keep both clamps at distance each in one hand and far from the car, I'd ask someone else to do same at the other end while clamping the battery. I doubt the Volvo sensitive electronics would like some firework show I would also keep the key in Pos II while installing the cables.

[Simon Jones]

There was a post on here a week or two back about charging a Volvo which I think had stop/start technology. In the manual was a very specific warning that the negative terminal of the battery should never be used for charging or jump starting as it could damage the voltage sensing circuitry. Not sure what vintage the Passat in question but it would be wise to check the manual first to avoid a very costly mistake.

Here's the thread that discusses it: http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=260795

[richard]

I have been unlucky to end up with rubbish jump leads in the past.
Best way is to let the car just sit idling or fast tickover for 5 mins, then go for starting.

[blueacid]

Whenever I've jump started someone from my volvo (four different times now!) I've left my engine running, connected up the dead car and then sat down for 5 minutes running at a fast idle (1,400RPM or so) for 5 minutes. Then, the dead car has started right up.

I suspect the dying battery will accept a bit of charge first, which is useful as then you've got (some) help from the dying battery, together with what the jump leads deliver. Rather than if you try to start immediately, where you're trying to not only crank the dead car but also charge the flat battery.

I've always gone from the +ve 'post' just by the air filter, and then to any bolt that looks to be on the chassis of the car. Worked just fine