You’re probably on this page to learn how to fix a portable jump starter. Of course, you’re on the right page. We’ll teach you all the steps involved in the process, and we will also answer some frequently asked questions about portable jump starters.
We understand the importance of portable jump starters to motorists. In fact, the device is a must-have for motorists. Imagine if your car refuses to start when you’re in a hurry for a meeting that could yield a million-dollar deal.
With a portable jump starter in hand, this will be no problem. You’ll just jump-start your car in less than 2 minutes and you’re on the road again. As useful as this unit is, many people make the mistake of replacing it when it stops working. If you find out that your jump starter isn’t working, you need to try to fix it. Don’t just discard it and get another one. It could be a little problem.
After reading this article, you’ll know what to do if your jump starter suddenly stops working. You’ll also learn how to maintain your jump starter. Most importantly, you need to understand that the battery of your jump starter can be replaced.
Take the time to read the article through to the end. We promise, you’ll be glad you did.
How To Fix A Portable Jump Starter? 7 Easy Steps
To fix your jump starter, you must understand certain things. Have you had to use the battery of another car to jump-start yours before? In that situation, you’ll connect the terminals of the good battery to the terminals of your weak battery with jump starter cables.
Current will flow from the good battery to boost your weak battery, and your car will start. After that, you’ll disconnect the cables and let the alternator of your car charge your weak battery. If you run the car for up to 15 minutes before turning off the ignition, your car should probably start on its own. If it doesn’t start, it means there’s something wrong with your alternator or your battery.
The portable jump starter works the same way. It has its own battery that must be fully charged at all times. And it also has its in-built cables. When you connect it properly, the jump starter will send current from its battery to the weak battery in the car. This will boost the battery’s voltage and start the car.
Now, let’s discuss the steps.
Step 1 – Open The Jump Starter
Try to open up the jump starter. Look for the screws around it and unscrew them with a screwdriver. If yours does not have screws, try to find its opening points. Use a flat-mouth screwdriver to open it.
Step 2 – Check The Battery
After successfully opening the portable jump starter, check the battery to be sure it still has any charge in it. Most times, when a jump starter isn’t working, it’s because its battery is dead and cannot be charged anymore.
At this point, we need to remind you that before you conclude that your jump starter isn’t working, you must have charged it. Check the battery with a voltmeter. Connect the positive lead to the positive terminal of the battery, and connect the negative voltmeter lead to the negative terminal of the battery.
Check the reading. If the reading is 12 volts, it means the battery of your jump starter is fine. And if the reading is zero, it means the battery is dead. You have to replace it. Of course, the battery of your jump starter can be replaced. You can call the distributor for the battery.
For some jump starters, the cost of the battery is very close to the cost of the entire jump starter. If that’s the case, you may have to replace the entire jump starter instead of changing only the battery.
Step 3 – Check The Circuit Board
If the battery is fine, the next step is to check the circuit board to be sure that everything is fine. If you see something unusual like the deposit of melted plastic, try to remove it. Be sure that everything in the circuit is intact. If you notice that a piece of metal strip has been cut, you may need to solder it together again.
Step 4 – Check The Wires
Trace all the wires in the jump starter to be sure that they’re all intact. If there’s any disconnection, you can reconnect them.
Step 5 – Check Your Connector Jack
Another common reason why portable jump starters stop working is a melted connector jack. This component is responsive to high temperatures. When you overuse your jump starter or overload it, the connector jack could melt, stopping the jump starter from working.
If your connector jack has melted, it is probably the reason why the jump starter is no longer working. Make sure you replace it.
Step 6 – Recouple It
At this point, the next step is to recouple it so that you can test it. You may need some adhesive to keep the circuit board and other components in place. Cover the jump starter and screw the nuts into their places.
Step 7 – Test It
Test your jump starter. If it still does not start, you may have to consult a professional. We understand that some jump starters come with a warranty. If your jump starter is still within its warranty period, you don’t need to even fix it yourself. Send it to the distributor to fix it for free.
The main reason why people fix things themselves is to cut off the cost of repair. If your jump starter packs up within the warranty period, it will either be replaced or repaired free of charge. You may only decide to fix it if it is out of warranty or it does not come with a warranty.
Don’t make the mistake of trying to fix it if you still intend to take advantage of its warranty. If it is found out that you tampered with it, the warranty may be voided.
Why Is My Portable Jump Starter Not Working?
There are several reasons why your jump starter may stop working. First off, if you leave it for too long without charging it, the battery may be flat. So, if your jump starter isn’t working anymore, the first thing to do is to try to charge it. If it doesn’t charge, the battery of the jump starter may be damaged. You need to replace it.
Sometimes, it may be fully charged but won’t hold a charge. It means the same thing. The battery is dead. Change it. Another reason why your jump starter may not work is if its cables have cut internally. When that happens, it won’t be able to transfer current to boost your car battery.
Find the point of disconnection and reconnect it. Another reason is if the connector jack gets melted. If that is the case, you should replace the connector jack.
Can I Replace The Battery In My Jump Starter?
Yes, of course, you can replace the battery in your jump starter. If you find out that the battery is dead, you need to replace it. A dead battery will never hold a charge, even if you charge the jump starter for several hours. Two things can damage your jump starter battery.
If you leave it for more than three months without charging it, the battery may die off. Extreme temperatures can also damage the battery of your jump starter. The temperature around it must be neither too high nor too low.
How Do You Maintain A Jump Start?
- Charge your jump starter after every use.
- If you don’t use it often, make sure you charge it every three months.
- When jump-starting your car, don’t crank it longer than 5 straight minutes.
- Stop jump-starting after three unsuccessful attempts.
- Store the device where the temperature is between 50 degrees F and 70 degrees F.
What Do You Do When Your Jump Start Doesn’t Work?
Start by charging the jump starter. If it still does not work after charging it, open it up to test the battery. If the battery is damaged, replace it. If the battery is fine, check the jumper cables for an internal cut. If any, reconnect it.
The next step is to check the circuit board and other wires. Fix all loose wires and remove plastic deposits, if any. Finally, check its connector jack for any sign of melting. Replace it if it has melted.
How Do I Reset My Jump Starter?
This is a very easy task. To reset your jump starter, remove its battery and reconnect it. If you leave your jump starter for more than six months without charging it and its battery is dead. You need to recharge the battery if it is still working. If not, you should replace it. Either way, you need to reset the jump starter.
Final Thoughts
Jump starters are very durable. Your jump starter can serve you for up to ten years if you use it appropriately. If you follow the maintenance tips above, your jump starter won’t pack up suddenly, and you won’t need to worry about fixing it.
