Suitable earthing point to jump start?

[batfink79]

Hi everyone,

You'll get used to these questions from a Luddite like me as I try and get the 5 going after the winter....

First up, thanks all for advice re bound on brake calipers... The issue I have now is that the battery is dead as a doornail ... Previously I have always connected terminal to terminal, quick google suggests I should simply find a suitable earthing point for negative? Is this no longer the duff batteries terminal,and should I find an earthing point elsewhere? In which case, where?


Thanks all... (apologies for being a dullard !)



Finkers

[Munter]

I jumped mine on the battery points.

Sometimes it's just easier to reach an-other part of the car. You'll note the negative cable from the battery simply bolts onto the body of the car. So almost any piece of metal attached to the body will do.

[batfink79]

Thanks munter,

Just tried that, hooked it up to a diesel golf TDi... But starter just clicked....

Bugger!

[batfink79]

Update: she runs!

As soon as she coughed into life and her twin pipes started burbling, even the AA man cracked a smile and had a handshake! (AA man complete legend by the way , and just completing a nuts and bolts rebuild of a MK1 golf campaign)

All in all a great night!


Finkers

[MX-5 Lazza]

Do you have a lead-acid or gel/glass-mat battery?
If it's gel/glass-mat (Panasonic or Westco for example) then it'll take a long time to charge. You should have it on a trickle-charge for at least 12 hours.

[skinny]

left my lights on so had a flat batt on fri. connected portable battery starter pack positive to battery, negative to boot catch. worked a treat