I tried to jump start a Suburban tonight but I couldn't because the battery's side terminal post had separated completely from the battery. I hope I can convey this correctly. The positive cable is still attached tightly to the post bolt but where the post bolt goes into the side of the battery, it's broken completely off because of corrosion. I think my jumper cables are 10 gauge and I was trying to get a good clamp connection on just that loose Red(positive)starter cable. I was thinking that this was all I needed to do and once the motor turned over, the Suburban could be on it's way. After hooking everything up, the hood light would come on and the interior lights would light but I couldn't get the Suburban to turn over but once or twice before the starter would begin clicking. I tried repeatedly but never had enough juice to crank the motor. I am guessing my jumper cables just didn't provide enough current from my battery to make that big motor turn over. Could I have done anything else? I have heard you can put your positive jumper cable on the positive end on the Solenoid and crank an engine that way but I have never done it before. Would that have worked or would it not have made a difference? I realize a motor draws A LOT of current to crank and I was trying to feed this motor with my 10 guage jumper cables. Anybody want to offer their observation?
- posted
20 years ago