Jumping the car when the battery is in the trunk

[dlaub1811]

Forgive me of my idiocy in advance...

My battery is in my trunk (relay and such under the hood) and I am not sure what would be a good ground. Really the only available metal parts I see are the trunk arms or the gas line... and well uhhh I don't feel like burning up my car or garage so I'm trying to steer as far from the gas line as possible.

Any ideas? Would the trunk arms serve as a decent ground?

(I got zapped pretty good when I was a kid and ever since I fear batteries)

[1969jimmach]

Forgive me of my idiocy in advance...

My battery is in my trunk (relay and such under the hood) and I am not sure what would be a good ground. Really the only available metal parts I see are the trunk arms or the gas line... and well uhhh I don't feel like burning up my car or garage so I'm trying to steer as far from the gas line as possible.

Any ideas? Would the trunk arms serve as a decent ground?

(I got zapped pretty good when I was a kid and ever since I fear batteries)

I take it you cant access the battery?There has to be a positive wire running to front?Hook positive there and ground to bracket of some kind under hood as well like the alternator or p/s or a/c.maybe even the exhaust manifold.

[dlaub1811]

Yeah I did that and it started smoking.

[1969jimmach]

I would suggest replacing the battery then cause it may be shorted inside.Or maybe taking it and have it tested most autoparts stores do this free.Dont chance burning your car up.

[JTS71 Mach1]

Here's an easy fix to your problem. Hook the jumper cables to the battery side of the relay(positive) under the hood and a solid engine ground(negative). This should get you started. The long cables from the trunk make it harder to transfer the necessary amperage to start the car. They increase the resistance. Which causes the amperage to go up and find the weakest link. (where you saw smoke). By Hooking at the relay you have shortened the cables and decreased the resistance. This should help. And no the trunk arms would not be a good ground as they are on a pivot and you just might weld them solid! Don't forget what the other guy said about checking the battery. It could still have a problem.

[c9zx]

The positive cable attaches to the starter solenoid. The negative cable can be bolted to the frame. Make sure there is a ground form the engine to the frame and all connections are tight. The smoke you saw was caused by a loose connection or too small gauge wire. Use large gauge cable. I've run this set up in several cars. The Boss 429 had the battery in the trunk in case you want an actual diagram.

Chuck

[chutsonjr@yahoo.com]

You need to find a kit that is made for in the trunk that will work with the year of car you have . Besure to have the battery on the passanger rear end of the car for traction to you out . If you are planing to do this yourself a much larger size cable is needed . The bigger wire draw,s less amps less heat to cause a fire . Besure you look at the copper wire inside the cable not just the outside . If you are not sure ask someone who works there for their help . You cound run the cable on the inside of the car just out-of sight to the front of the car . If you go this rought you will need to drill a hole in the firewall just a little bit bigger than the cable sizes , make sure to use a rubber groment so the new cable doe,s not get cut from the sheetmetal firewall . Make sure to stay clear of any thing that will get to hot or the cable can and will melt . This will also keep you for shorting out or catch fire too. Do miss every thing that is important . If the solenoid is in the same spot it belong in . Now bring the cable up to the positive side on the solenoid . The curicut should work as if the battery was in front end . C.L.