Jumping a C7
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 25
Jumping a C7
Hey guys, I just had an interesting experience. I am in Myrtle Beach and decided to drive my C7 here. The first night I accidentally put the car in neutral rather than park. You guested it, in the morning the car was dead.
We called AAA and their tech guy seemed OK and started the car. Shortly after he left. All instruments were gone... nothing. I just got the car back
from the local Chevy dealer who told me it had a power surge and everything have to be reprogramed. Needless to say not under warranty with only 2000 miles. $100 later everything is OK. I don't believe the tech guy did anything wrong. What happened?
We called AAA and their tech guy seemed OK and started the car. Shortly after he left. All instruments were gone... nothing. I just got the car back
from the local Chevy dealer who told me it had a power surge and everything have to be reprogramed. Needless to say not under warranty with only 2000 miles. $100 later everything is OK. I don't believe the tech guy did anything wrong. What happened?
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,064
Likes: 17,930
From: DFW Area TX
That's not what the Owners Manual says (at least the 2014 version):
1. Discharged Battery Positive (+) Terminal
2. Discharged Battery Negative (−) Terminal
3. Good Battery Negative (−) Terminal
4. Good Battery Positive (+) Terminal
1. Discharged Battery Positive (+) Terminal
2. Discharged Battery Negative (−) Terminal
3. Good Battery Negative (−) Terminal
4. Good Battery Positive (+) Terminal
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 73
From: Texas
My understanding was that underhood was OK for both jump starting as well as charging. Right or wrong? Don
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Prospect Heights IL
Hey guys, I just had an interesting experience. I am in Myrtle Beach and decided to drive my C7 here. The first night I accidentally put the car in neutral rather than park. You guested it, in the morning the car was dead.
We called AAA and their tech guy seemed OK and started the car. Shortly after he left. All instruments were gone... nothing. I just got the car back
from the local Chevy dealer who told me it had a power surge and everything have to be reprogramed. Needless to say not under warranty with only 2000 miles. $100 later everything is OK. I don't believe the tech guy did anything wrong. What happened?
We called AAA and their tech guy seemed OK and started the car. Shortly after he left. All instruments were gone... nothing. I just got the car back
from the local Chevy dealer who told me it had a power surge and everything have to be reprogramed. Needless to say not under warranty with only 2000 miles. $100 later everything is OK. I don't believe the tech guy did anything wrong. What happened?
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Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,064
Likes: 17,930
From: DFW Area TX
I realize that and that is why I asked if the tech did that.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,064
Likes: 17,930
From: DFW Area TX
That does not seem to be likely. I have left the e-brake on mine for 3 weeks straight with no ill effects. Surely the e-brake is designed so that it is not "energized" continuously when applied.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,937
Likes: 12,350
From: NE South Carolina
Athough I have an M7, I always leave my car in Neutral. Once the brake engages there is no longer power needed to keep it engaged.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 472
Likes: 104
From: Alamogordo NM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
The negative terminal on the dead battery should always be connected last to avoid sparks...
Read the detailed sequence in the manual Steps 7 through 10.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Just make sure everything, including the radio, is turned off before connecting cables.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,941
Likes: 499
From: Northern Virginia
This is what I'm thinking. Make sure the car is turned off when the cables are connected. Only after all four connections are made try to start the car.
I don't know why leaving the car in neutral would have anything to do with battery drain.
I don't know why leaving the car in neutral would have anything to do with battery drain.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
I think manuals used to have to be in REVERSE, but GM did away with that on the C7. (I hope)
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,064
Likes: 17,930
From: DFW Area TX
You are absolutely correct. Thanks for pointing that out.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,064
Likes: 17,930
From: DFW Area TX
I was confused too because my first thought was he had a manual transmission, but since he says he did not put it in PARK, it must be an automatic.... Leaving it in neutral probably never allows the car to completely shut off.
I think manuals used to have to be in REVERSE, but GM did away with that on the C7. (I hope)
I think manuals used to have to be in REVERSE, but GM did away with that on the C7. (I hope)
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 18
From: Santa Fe TX
In other words when removing battery disconnect negative first and when installing a battery connect positive first.