Bump start

[francofontain]

May be a silly question but can you bump start an auto? Just got back from 4 months away and its dead as a dodo, no leads so first thought was a quick tow and bump.

[Peg leg Pete]

Why not get some jump leads and start your bongo that way

[Naughtydog]

as far as i am aware youll never bump start an auto.

good luck.

[Bongoplod]

Greetings

As far as i am aware you cant...... cos it wont work.

And,i believe it will knacker yous autobox

Brian

[francofontain]

Thought as much
TA
Franco

[moonshine]

It is possible to tow-start some automatics (not sure that it applies to Bongos), but I certainly wouldn't recommend it unless you have lots of space and a very long rope. I have heard of cars being started that way, and when they fired up they took off and rammed the tow-car up the back! You definitely can't bump-start them unless you can run at 35mph whilst pushing a Bongo.

[francofontain]

Depends on whos chasing you
Tried leads and then bigger ones
Finally got her started good run and back home idled for a while and then the dreaded test........switched it off and........BLOODY THING WONT START!
Maybe a new battery (it has been left for 4 months without starting) or even worse new alternator!
Cheers anyway

Franco

[bigdaddycain]

The alternator is really only to keep the battery topped up,in some cases it wont fully re-charge a completely flat battery.

The battery will need a proper charge at the very least i'm afraid... spanners out

[francofontain]

Triffic!
That means Im gonna have to buy a charger
Cheers BigD

[Peg leg Pete]

Sounds like a new battery

[bigdaddycain]

Triffic!
That means Im gonna have to by a charger
Cheers BigD

Not at all!... half of the battery chargers generally available (supermarkets etc) are usually cr*p!

Just take the battery to your local garage, they'll pop it on an overnight charge for you, (usually for free) dont be tempted to go to kwik sh*t or wherever though...you'll end up needing a new battery, alternator,tyres,brake pads,discs,wallet, credit card.... you get the picture.

If the bongo starts after a good charge,run around in it for a week or so, then get it properly checked at a auto electrical place.

(not halfrauds or motorworld, they'll try to sell you a new battery even if you dont need one)

[francofontain]

That was my thoughts............bugger!

[bigdaddycain]

Not neccessarily. A few years back i had a similar episode (i mothball my bongo over winter) come march, mine wouldn't start either,in the end i left jump leads running from my estate car to the bongo for over three hours before she even turned over! Proper flat!... still on that same battery now, it's tip top!

[johnzbenson]

An alternator will charge a battery extremely slowly especially if there are already electrical loads on the vehicle which may prove inpractical.
I would recommend that you trickle charge the battery with a decent charger, typically one that is capable of delivering up to ten amps as a completely flat battery will take quite a load - most of the cheaper chargers cut out after 5 amps and therefore will effectively be a waste of time. perhaps one of those chargers with a boost or rapid charge buttons can be used for up to 30 minutes. then the battery should be left to trickle charge typically (6-8 hours in duration) its worth a go.