Hi All,
Lively discussion!
I just wanted to get in a WARNING!!!
Jump starting a frozen battery will light things up, mainly the engine compartment when the battery EXPLODES!!!
Please use caution. Check the battery for any "bulges" on the sides as if pushed out from freezing inside.
If it shows bulging, even if no longer frozen, do not try to use this battery again. Only discharged batteries freeze in the lower 48 states.
(I have to admit when I was an apprentice mechanic I blew up a battery this way. Well, actually 2).
This is why the "safety experts" always say to connect the positive cable first, then connect the negative cable from the good battery negative terminal to a solid ground of the dead car, like a bumper or frame.
Then, if the battery blows up, and they do more often than you think especially in cold areas, your body and clothing and face and eyes will hopefully not get blasted with the contents of the battery, which is still quit harmful even when the battery is discharged.
Lots of assumptions made, who knows.
I have a Suby in my drive right now with a positive battery cable at the starter end chewed through about 90 percent. The transmission or frame gives rodents an excellent perch from which they eat their "free lunch". Usually squirels here (I live in the middle of a forest).
I understand about eating the rubber insulation, but why do they chew through the copper wires?
Also, I have been amazed that a completely dead battery on some cars prevents jump starting. Also, don't hook up a newer car to jump start as some of them have such sensitive computers that the starter car gets its computer blown.
Nothing beats good trouble shooting. Borrow a good battery, hook it up, and start following the juice.
Also, someone pointed out that the negative cables and grounding must also be in good condition, so check for any voltage differences between the negative battery post and fenders, bumpers and such. It should be zero.
Hey, all of us only know from what we have experienced so far, in other words, "I don't know what I don't know". I have no way of knowing when I walk through my joker neighbors garage door that a bucket of water will spill on my head, until the first time I do it.
Not enough information has been given to diagnose this problem here on the forum, but some good ideas have been posted as to how to start trouble shooting. Be kind everyone, please.
And watch out for frozen batteries with the cold weather starting to set in.
The Ol' Factory Rep (not Subaru)