I need to jump start my van BUT can not

[HelenePA]

get to the "black" (neg) part of the battery I googled it and it says to put that clip on anything metal and jump it.. Anyone know if I'm going to kill my van or myself if I try it? I dont have AAA or anything and would rather not pay someone to do this.. my dad is dead so he's of no help its just me and DH who knows NOTHING about cars trying to figure this out. I'm using a black and decker jump pack if that matters at all.

 

[Squirlz]

get to the "black" (neg) part of the battery I googled it and it says to put that clip on anything metal and jump it.. Anyone know if I'm going to kill my van or myself if I try it? I dont have AAA or anything and would rather not pay someone to do this.. my dad is dead so he's of no help its just me and DH who knows NOTHING about cars trying to figure this out. I'm using a black and decker jump pack if that matters at all.

Yes, just clip the black to any metal part that is grounded.

 

[goofyernmost]

When jump starting a vehicle you attach the two lines (red & black) to the good battery. Red to the positive (+) and black to the negative (-) then you attach the red to the positive (+) of the bad battery and attach the black (-) to any metal part that you can find in the engine compartment. It can be a bracket that is attached to the engine and goes someplace else or there is usually a metal bracket that is attached to the engine that is used if the engine needs to be lifted. That one is easy to tell because it is just a flat piece of metal with a hole in it. Any metal spot that is attached to the engine will do but I would avoid the fuel lines if possible.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You will be OK.

My 19yodd is constantly jumping cars for friends in her dorm, since daddy got her jumper cables and showed her how to do it.

She loves to show up the guys.

Here are some pics!
http://artofmanliness.com/2008/09/11/how-to-jump-start-a-car/

 

[HelenePA]

it worked and no one was hurt in the process lol Thank you! Its just so cold I'm amazed dh's car started this morning..

 

[John VN]

Please follow the following directions for cable connection order the next time. Scroll down to directions. http://www.carbuyingtips.com/jumpstart.htm

 

[HelenePA]

Please follow the following directions for cable connection order the next time. Scroll down to directions. http://www.carbuyingtips.com/jumpstart.htm

good to know but with the jump pack there is no way for it to spark before hand.. you have to press a button to jump it. at first it didn't work and we didn't know why... then we found the button. Yes people laugh at me if you must..

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Evidently you can do something crazy like that (though I'm not sure if "that" is it--but it sounds about right.)

However--I'm a chicken and I don't do it personally. If someone helps me, I stand as far back as possible. I hate jumping cars. I don't even like when it is done the traditional way. Scares the bejeebus out of me.

 

[Fire14]

You will be OK.

My 19yodd is constantly jumping cars for friends in her dorm, since daddy got her jumper cables and showed her how to do it.

She loves to show up the guys.

Here are some pics!
http://artofmanliness.com/2008/09/11/how-to-jump-start-a-car/

Sounds like me. Thats was standard gift with car from my dad. I buy car and he hands me my own set of jumper cables. I can't tell u how many times I've used them for other ppl, only once for my self and that was on campus and campus police said it would be bout hour wait since their "jump box" was out on another job, I just asked if they had a car they could use as I had cables in my car, let's just say I made a guy look really bad that day.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Sounds like me. Thats was standard gift with car from my dad. I buy car and he hands me my own set of jumper cables. I can't tell u how many times I've used them for other ppl, only once for my self and that was on campus and campus police said it would be bout hour wait since their "jump box" was out on another job, I just asked if they had a car they could use as I had cables in my car, let's just say I made a guy look really bad that day.

In my family jumper cables were your "gift" when you got your drivers license, really heavy duty ones, I still have mine 24 years later. Like many other posters I have helped more people with them then used for my own, till this year There is something "fun" about showing the guys how to jump start a car, or better yet help a teen/20 something jump start their truck with my minivan.