Do you ever find yourself hurrying to get to the office in the morning? But when you reach your car and find out that the car won’t start, there is no other option to go office. The last option you have at that point is to jump-start your car. When you jump start your car, and on the way to the office, your car shuts off again after 15 minutes.
That is the worst thing you have to face after jump starting your car. I have experienced this before; I am writing this comprehensive guide to tell you why a jump started car drove for 15 minutes then won’t start and what to do in that situation.
Why does a jump started car drove for 15 minutes then won’t start?
The main reason of jump-started car shuts off after a few minutes is a bad alternator. When an alternator stop generating power, it won’t be able to charge; that’s why your vehicle won’t start, and you need to jump-start it. Because the alternator is not charging the battery, if you jump-start your car and drive it for a short while, it shuts off again and won’t start.
Solution
If you jump start your car, wait 10 to 15 minutes before driving it so the engine can warm up. If you drive immediately after the jump starts, it will shut off again because the engine is not warmed up. Always check the wiring between the alternator and battery for any cuts and damage. If you find any damaged connection, try to fix it yourself before jump-starting. It is best to visit a mechanic first after jump-starting your vehicle.
How to Jump Start a Car
Jump-starting a car can be a life-saving skill, but it can be challenging and intuitive. If your car has a weak battery, you can jump-start it by using another car with a strong battery. Here’s how to do it:
- Park a functioning car next to your, making sure that they don’t touch.
- Connect the positive (red) terminal of the weak battery to the positive (red) terminal of the strong battery.
- Connect the negative (black) terminal of the weak battery to the negative (black) terminal of the strong battery.
- Start the car with a strong battery and let it run for a few minutes.
- Now start your car and let it run for 15 to 20 minutes before driving.
Other Reasons of car dies after jump start
Faulty Battery
A bad battery could be the cause of your car’s failure to start after a few minutes of operation. A battery that is too old or broken won’t be able to supply enough charge to start the car. You can do a few of things to try to solve the issue:
Check the car’s battery voltage. If the battery is low, it might not have enough charge to start the engine.
Replace the battery if it’s low voltage. Test the positive and negative terminals with a voltmeter. If they’re both getting good volts, there’s probably an issue with the wiring between the battery and the starter motor.
Replace or re-wire the electrical connection if necessary. You might have to replace the complete car battery if none of these fixes work.
Defective Starter Motor
If your car dies after jump start, there’s a significant probability that the starter motor is damaged. Starter motors are responsible for turning the engine over when you first turn the key in the ignition. If it’s not working correctly, your car won’t be able to start.
There are a few tricks you can look to see whether the starter motor is broken. To begin with, try repeatedly twisting the key in the ignition until the car finally starts. If that doesn’t work, you can test the Starter motor by connecting a voltmeter and checking for voltage. If there’s no voltage, then the Starter motor is probably defective.
Finally, you can check the starter by rotating a screwdriver clockwise in the hole where the starter motor attaches to the vehicle. If the screwdriver doesn’t come out after a few turns, the Starter Motor is probably defective.
Bad Fuel Injectors
Bad fuel injectors are another reason, if your jump started car died again. Fuel injectors are small devices that deliver fuel to the engine cylinders. They won’t be able to provide the fuel the engine needs to start if they are clogged or broken.
Poor Battery Connection
Poor battery connection is another reason of car dies after jump start. The first thing to check is the battery connection. A poor connection can prevent your car from starting. If the battery is fully charged, try starting the vehicle without touching the battery cables. If that doesn’t work, check for any damage to the cables or connections. Touch the car’s battery negative terminal to the ground using a metal object like a screwdriver, then try starting the car again.
Defective Ignition Coil
The ignition coil is likely defective if your vehicle shuts off after the jump start. If this part isn’t functioning properly, your car might not be able to start since it starts the spark that turns the engine on. The most common cause of an ignition coil defect is a bad connection. Improperly made or faulty wiring can lead to a weak spark, which can ultimately cause the engine to stop.
You should send your car to a mechanic for an inspection if it makes any strange noises while trying to start or doesn’t seem to have enough power to turn over.
Also Read: Car Shuts off When Stopped or Slowing Down
Symptoms of a weak battery
If your car battery is weak, you may experience one or more of the following signs:
- The engine will not start
- The car will not stay running long after being turned off
- The vehicle has a difficult time beginning to move when the key is turned
- The car’s warning lights come on
- Electrical systems like radio, windows, and mirrors don’t work correctly.
If your car battery is weak, it may be time to replace it.
Tip to keep your car battery healthy
- Make sure the car is serviced at least once a year by a mechanic knowledgeable about batteries.
- Do not leave your battery unused for an extended time, as this can reduce its life span.
- Avoid exposing your automobile battery to direct sunshine or extreme heat while keeping it in a dry place to keep it cool and clean.
- Never jump your car battery, which can damage it and render it inoperable.
- Before starting your automobile in cold weather, ensure the battery is fully charged to prolong battery life.
- Avoid overcharging your automobile battery, which shortens its life and might cause harm.
- Avoid parking your car in direct sunlight or near hot surfaces. This can drain the battery quickly.
Final Thoughts
If jump started car drove 15 minutes then won’t start, it could be due to various factors. It is crucial to carry out the proper diagnostics to identify the problem’s exact cause. Common causes may include faulty battery connections or a weak alternator belt. Regardless, this issue needs to be handled by a qualified expert as soon as possible to guarantee your car’s continued running.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my alternator fail after jump-starting?
If your alternator fails after jump-starting, it is likely due to a faulty battery. Your car’s starter motor is powered by the battery when you jump-start it. The battery could malfunction as a result of this and overheat. It’s crucial to have your alternator changed as soon as possible if it stops working after being jump-started.
What are the symptoms of a failing starter motor?
One or more of the following sings could occur if your starting motor is failing:
- Your car won’t start when you turn the key in the ignition
- You hear a clicking noise when you turn the key in the ignition
- The engine cranks slowly when you try to start the car
- The engine doesn’t crank at all when you try to start the car
- Sometimes you see smoke coming from under the hood of your car
Can a clogged fuel filter cause a no-start situation?
If your car won’t start, one possible cause is a clogged fuel filter. A fuel filter helps remove impurities from gasoline or diesel fuel and can become clogged over time, restricting fuel flow to the engine. This can cause a no-start situation. If you detect your fuel filter is clogged, try to remove it by yourself or have it checked by a mechanic.
