Jumping a car battery can be lifesaving, especially when you get stuck in the middle of nowhere. But sometimes, the car will shut off after a few minutes of jumping the battery. This indicates bigger issues with the car.
So, what are the causes if a car dies after removing jumper cables? The most common reason can be a bad alternator which can’t charge the battery. If the battery is too old or dead, the car will shut off after removing the jumper cables. Loose connections can also cause the problem.
Learn the reasons for this problem and their solution to avoid such incidents. Let’s get started.
Car Dies After Removing Jumper Cables: Detailed Reasons and Solutions
Jumping a weak battery gives it some boost so that it can power up the ignition and other systems. But when there are serious problems with the battery or the alternator, jumping won’t be effective for long. Here are the most common reasons for this problem.
1. The Alternator Can’t Charge the Battery
Once you jumpstart a car, the alternator should become active and recharge the battery. Alternators are pretty durable components. But sometimes, the alternator may have low or no voltage. As a result, they can’t charge the weak battery for a long time.
After removing the jumper cables, the alternator won’t be able to power the electrical components of the car due to the voltage issue. So, the car will shut off.
Solutions
- Take a multimeter and measure the voltage on the alternator terminals.
- The ideal voltage is 13.5 to 14.5 volts if the engine is idling. If the voltage is lower than 12.5, there is a problem with the alternator output.
- Take the car to a repair shop and ask for a bench test. They will test the alternator by putting loads to figure out the alternator’s health.
- If the alternator is faulty, you are looking at a costly replacement. It will set you back about $700-$800 to replace the alternator, including parts and labor.
2. The Voltage Regulator Is Faulty
In some cases, the alternator works just fine. But the problem is with the voltage regulator. This component is responsible for maintaining the voltage level between the alternator and the battery.
If the voltage regulator is bad, it can’t maintain a steady voltage. As a result, the alternator won’t be able to deliver enough voltage for the engine to run. When you remove the jumper cables after a jumpstart, the car will die.
Solutions
- You should try turning the lights in your car. If the lights are dimming or flickering, there is certainly a problem with the voltage regulator.
- Take the car to a repair shop and get the voltage regulator replaced. It can cost about $300-400, including parts and labor.
3. The Battery Is Too Old
When batteries are new, they can retain charge better. Once you jumpstart the vehicle, the battery will be charged faster and hold the charge for a long time. So, the car will run just fine.
But when the battery ages, it can’t hold charge like before. If you ignore this for a long time, the battery can be dead. In that case, a jumpstart isn’t good enough. The jumpstart might give a temporary boost. But as soon as you remove the jumper cables, the car will die.
Solutions
- You should measure the battery voltage using a multimeter. A healthy battery should have a voltage of about 12.8 volts. If the battery voltage is lower than 12 volts, it indicates the battery health is low.
- If there is no voltage at all, the battery is already dead. Replace the dead battery to get your car up and running.
4. Not Running the Engine Enough
Many car owners are confused about how long to run the engine after the jumpstart. It depends on the battery’s health. If the battery is new and in good condition, running the engine for about five minutes may be enough.
But if the battery is old and can’t retain charge well, you should run the engine for at least 30 minutes. In some cases, driving the car for about one hour may be necessary. If you don’t run the engine enough, the battery won’t be charged properly.
After a few minutes of removing the jumper cables, the battery will die again.
Solutions
- Check the battery voltage. If the battery is healthy, run the engine for five to ten minutes after a jump start.
- If the battery voltage is lower than normal, keep the engine running for about 30-60 minutes.
When Should I Remove the Jumper Cables?
Jumpstarting a car may stress the battery a lot. There are different opinions about the timing of removing the jumper cables.
According to some technicians, the jumper cable should be removed right after starting the car. But others recommend keeping the jumper cables connected for about five minutes.
In my opinion, it will depend on your battery condition. If the battery is new, you can remove the jumper cables right after starting the car. But if the battery health is low, you can keep the cables connected for about 2-3 minutes. It will ensure the car doesn’t die after removing the cables and the battery remains safe.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cars dying after removing jumper cables. Check them out.
Q: Why won’t my car stay running without jumper cables?
It indicates your car battery has no charge at all, and the alternator is unable to charge the battery. You should check and replace these components.
Q: How do you remove jumper cables so that the car doesn’t shut off?
Remove the black (negative) cable from the bare metal of the dead car first. Then, remove it from the negative terminal of the donor battery. Then, remove the red (positive) cable from the dead battery first and the donor battery next.
Jumpstarting isn’t good enough for some cars, especially if they have a dead battery or faulty alternator. The car won’t run after you remove the jumper cables. I explained why a car dies after removing jumper cables and what you can do to solve the problem.
You should implement these solutions carefully to make your car run without dying. Most important of all, you should regularly check the battery’s health and maintain electrical components. It will prevent the car from dying.