[sputnik]

Yesterday we got out the Owner's Manual and went through everything in the "Taking Care of the Unexpected" chapter ,"just in case".

We looked through the tool kit and found the arrows/jack points on the frame next to the wheels. Then we found the small interior fuse box (the manual did not help here...removing the small drivers side storage bin shows no fuses in the opening :? ...but looking under this bin (it requires a flexible back! :shock: ) with a flashlight and there they were!). Next we found (I think) the proper jump-start connections under the hood.

But there are a few questions still:
1.) Is the proper location for the negative clamp when jumping the battery (on the recepter vehicle) that grungy cable with multiple strands of copper, leading from the air filter over to the chassis near the big fuse box? Is this the famous "ground" cable that other posts have mentioned should be kept in good shape?

2. There was water on the shelf over the rear passenger wheel well on "Silver". This shelf is where the jack and tool kit had been stored and they were wet and had rust. "Papaya's" rear was dry (thank goodness! ) and her tire-changing tools were stored next to the spare. The water in the silver Insight seemed excessive for condensation. Given the proximity to its new IMA battery and controllers, we're concerned. What might this be?

Thank-you for any help.

 

[Rick]

If you pull the cubbie hole all the way out the fuse diagram is on the back of it, but yes you have to contort yourself to get to the fuse block.

Yes, the exposed copper on the ground wire is the recommended jump start ground point. The correct procedure would be to connect your positive cable to the battery of your car, then connect the positive and negative on the other vehicle then last connect the negative to the exposed ground wire on your vehicle (moving any potential spark away from the potentially explosive gasses of the battery). Of course we all know this ground wire is not the best. There is also another ground wire deeper down below this one and back towards the cab of the car.

As far as the presence of water, that might call for a bit more investigation. There is the vent right above that that exhausts air out the back of the car. This should only work one way, but it may be worth looking at more closely.