Push starting a car

Johnmcl7

peter_the_piper wrote: »

You could get something like a Jumping Jack to carry around, they turn over most small cars. Used one on DD's car that's sat around for 2 years and started first time. Didn't do it again though as the battery was knackered

I was thinking the same, I bought one after getting some recommendations here and it started my completely dead 2.5 engine without issue and it's small enough to easily carry in the car.

John

Ganga

marlot wrote: »

They were fine on low-ish compression 8hp engines, but I doubt any use on anything made in the last 50 years.

Well i do not agree with that,i am 66 and passed my test when 17 but can remember plenty of cars with starting handles although i agree transverse engines would have been a problem.
As with low HP engine i worked in construction plant all my life and in the 1980s and 1990s site dumpers with 3 and 4 cylinder diesel engines still had starting handles,sorted the men from the boys.:rotfl:

Strider590

samsung_laptop wrote: »

I left the interior light on last night so I was only wondering if the car didn't start would I be able to push start the car as I've never had a car where you had to hold the clutch pedal down.

And this is why the very first mod I do on any car, is to change the interior bulbs for LED :cool:

BeenThroughItAll

Strider590 wrote: »

And this is why the very first mod I do on any car, is to change the interior bulbs for LED :cool:

Isn't it MSE just not to leave the interior lights on?

How do people do it? If it's dark enough to need them, wouldn't you notice when you look at your car, or do people not bother to check their doors are locked as they walk away?

Stigy

AdrianC wrote: »

Pressing the clutch while starting is just an extra switch that needs to be closed in order for the starter motor to get the signal to turn. Since push-starting doesn't use the starter motor, that clutch switch is irrelevant.

I'm confused by this analogy...I may have misread your post though so bear with me. How does pressing the clutch pedal down relate to sending signals to the starter motor?

AdrianC

Stigy wrote: »

I'm confused by this analogy...I may have misread your post though so bear with me. How does pressing the clutch pedal down relate to sending signals to the starter motor?

Because a lot of modern cars have a clutch switch that needs to be engaged - by pressing the pedal - before the starter'll engage. No press? Turn the key and no starter. The intention is to stop numpties from starting in gear and lurching forward.

forgotmyname

i can think of several cars that risk damage by bump starting, risk of belts or chains jumping. Or a lack of oil pressure for tensioners and valves etc.

AdrianC

forgotmyname wrote: »

i can think of several cars that risk damage by bump starting, risk of belts or chains jumping. Or a lack of oil pressure for tensioners and valves etc.

I can think of a lot of urban myths...

The engine is not running. Some external force turns the flywheel. The engine starts to run.
Does it make a big difference whether the flywheel's turned by an electric motor or the gearbox input shaft?

reeac

To clarify the original question, certainly old tractors have a mechanical interlock which requires the clutch pedal to be depressed in order to close a switch and permit activation of the starter motor. The question is whether with a modern car that interlock affects just the starter motor or the ignition/fuel system.

BeenThroughItAll

AdrianC wrote: »

Because a lot of modern cars have a clutch switch that needs to be engaged - by pressing the pedal - before the starter'll engage. No press? Turn the key and no starter. The intention is to stop numpties from starting in gear and lurching forward.

That and to reduce wear on the DMF.