Is it ok to jump start or give a jump- will ABS relay blow again?

[clydesdale]

I bought the car with the abs light on. I soldered a new fuse in place and abs works great. But I hear that it often happens because of jump starts. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[jlevie]

You won't blow the fuse if the jumpstart is done correctly. With the donor vehicle idling, connect the positive cables, then the negative. Allow the donor to charge the battery at a fast idle for 10-15 minutes, then crank the car. Before disconnecting the donor, turn the headlights on and the blower to high speed. Then disconnect the negative cable first.

[Adrian_Visser]

interesting. so why should the donor car be idling already? and why create a big current draw before disconnecting? thats different from how i was taught to jump a car. not sayin its wrong or anything, just wondring what the logic behind that is.

[jlevie]

Having the donor idling when connecting the cables avoids any start transients from the donor. In a similar manner, adding load to the electrical system will absorb any transients associated with the disconnect.

[norcalE30]

ive had to jump mine like 15 times in the past week (bad battery) and i always have the donor car running first, but never let it charge that long. 15 mins? thats a waste, and you dont have to have the lights or anything on

[ethree]

Go buy a battery.

Just pop start it. You can do it yourself given the proper space, or park on a hill.

[norcalE30]

I soldered a new fuse in place and abs works great.

why did you solder it in? what happens when it blows again?

[87e30]

Go buy a battery.

Just pop start it. You can do it yourself given the proper space, or park on a hill.

Compression start FTW. This has saved me a few times when I accidently leave my lights on and come back out to a dead car.

[DCColegrove]

You won't blow the fuse if the jumpstart is done correctly. With the donor vehicle idling, connect the positive cables, then the negative. Allow the donor to charge the battery at a fast idle for 10-15 minutes, then crank the car. Before disconnecting the donor, turn the headlights on and the blower to high speed. Then disconnect the negative cable first.

This answer should go in the DIY/FAQS Section...

Not only is the OVPR at risk the Alternator and a whole host of electrical components are at risk when jumping.

[asubimmer]

where does info like this come from?? I've jumped a lot of e30's and I've never heard of this or seen it...

[DCColegrove]

where does info like this come from?? I've jumped a lot of e30's and I've never heard of this or seen it...

There was a TSB (technical Service Bulletin) from BMW on jump starting vehicles...

For the most part it's not really a good idea at all but that is the procedure to follow if you must.

[clydesdale]

The solder trick is on one of the e30 forums. There was a nice write up on how to fix the abs relay. It can still blow the fuse. All you do is replace the fuse inside of the relay instead of buying a whole new one. Like I said, I got the write up on one of the forums and they mentioned that it likely happened from a jump start.