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)