Jump Starting

[donsrno1]

This might be a stupid question, but I've never had to jump start a car before. If you jump start a car should the car continue to run fine once you disconnect the jump leads?

The reason I ask is that the 16v I'm looking at I'm going to go for a drive of it on Sunday, but the owner said I would have to bring a battery with me as it just dies once you disconnect the jump leads. Is this usual or does it suggest the battery, or something else, is knackered?

The car has been sitting for a couple of months BTW.

Also, should it be OK if I just put the battery from my 1.4RT in it for the time I'm driving it?

Thanks.

 

[RobertCL]

Once you've jump started the car it should continue to run once disconnected as the alternator should be generating the power the engine needs to run and charging the battery at the same time.

I guess the problem may be that the battery has drained as it has been stood for a while and might just want charging - i.e. go for a long-ish drive. Or the battery could be knackered and need replacing.

EDIT: rereading your post, sounds like something else might be knackered if he says it dies after you disconnect the jump leads. Maybe the alternator?

 

[donsrno1]

Once you've jump started the car it should continue to run once disconnected as the alternator should be generating the power the engine needs to run and charging the battery at the same time.

I guess the problem may be that the battery has drained as it has been stood for a while and might just want charging - i.e. go for a long-ish drive. Or the battery could be knackered and need replacing.

The thing is that the guy says as soon as you remove the jump leads it cuts out - what would that suggest?

I had thought it wouldn't matter about the battery once it was started but clearly it must make a difference.

Would I just be OK to put the battery from my 1.4 Clio in instead while I test drive the car?