Jump Starting Car - BMW 3 1992 Service Manual

010-12
FUNDAMENTALS FOR THE DO-ITYOURSELF OWNER
Jump Starting Car
Cars with discharged or dead batteries can be jump-started
using the good battery from another car. When jump-starting
the engine, always note the following warnings.
WARNING -
"
Battery acid (electrolyte) can cause severe
burns, and will damage the car and clothing . lf
electrolyte is spilled, wash the surface with large
quantities of water. lf itgets finto eyes, flush them
with water for severa¡ minutes and cal¡ a doctor.
" Batteries produce explosive and noxious gas-
ses. Keep sparks and flames away. Do not
smoke near batteries.
" Do not jump-start the engine if
you
suspect that
the battery is frozen. Trapped gas may explode.
Allow the battery to thaw first.
" Do not quick-charge the battery (for boost start-
ing) forlonger than one minute, and do not ex-
ceed 15 volts at the battery with the boosting
cables attached. Wait at least one minute before
boosting the battery a second time .
" Some electrical system 'comfort" features may not
function correctly once battery power is restored.
For example, the front window one-touch-up func-
tion may be disabled. Some electrical systems will
need to be reinitialized Consult the appropriate re-
pairgroup formore specific information.
1 . Place cars close together, but do not allow them to
'touch each other. Turn off the engine of the car with the
good battery.
2. Connect one end of the positive (+) cable to the positive
(+) post of the good battery. Remove the coverfrom the
positive (B+) junction post in the engine compartment
of the dead car and connect the other end of the posi-
tive (+) cable to the junction post. See Fig. 17 .
EMERGENCIES
3. Connect one end of the negative (-) cable to the nega-
tive (-) battery post of the good battery. Connect oppo-
site end of the negative cable (-) to the engine block of
the car with the dead battery.
4. Start the car with the good battery and run the engine
at about 2,000 rpm, then startthe car with the dead bat-
tery .
5. With the engine at ¡dle, switch on the headlights, blower
motor and rear window defogger to avoid damaging the
cars electrical system . Carefully disconnect the jumper
cables, starting with the negative cable on the engine
block. Turn all electrical consumers off.
NOTE-
The engine should be run for at least an hour to re-
charge the battery.
Overheating
lf the temperature gauge needle goes into the red band on
the gauge face, the coolant temperature is too high . Find a safe
place to stop and turn the engine off. Open the hood and allow
the engine to cool until the temperature gauge needle is at the
lower third of the scale. Continuing to drive an overheated car
can cause extensive engine damage .
WARNING -
Do not remove the coolant reservoir or radíator cap
with the engine hot. Undoing either could spray hot
coolant and cause burns or damage the engine.
CAUTION-
Do not add cold water or coolant to a hot engine.
Engine damage could result from the sudden tem-
perature change .
NOTE-
If the engine cannot be safely tumed off, make sure the
air condifioner is off and turn the heater to high . This
will helo cool the engine until a sale stopping place can
be reached.
Overheating may be caused by low coolant leve¡ or a dam-
aged engine drive belt. Visually check the coolant leve¡ and en-
gine belts as described in 020 Maintenance Program. lf the
coolant leve¡ is low, check the filler cap, hoses, clamps and ra-
diator for signs of leakage. Check for leaks at the water pump
on the front of the engine .
lf no leaks are found, add coolant after the engine has
cooled . The car can be driven, but have the cooling system
thoroughly checked as soon as possible . lf replacement cool
0013245
-
ant is not available, then plain water can be used, but the cool-
ant should later be drained and refilled with the proper mixture
Fig. 17 . Battery jump starting posts (arrows) behind right front strut
of anti-freeze and water.
tower. Lift cover to access positive post .