Can your car stil be jumped started if alternator has broken?

Answer 1

Course you can. The car will start off the donor battery.However if your own battery is totally dead the car will stall as soon as you take off the jumper cables.This is because there will be no power to create the high voltage spark at the plugs.In most cases though your battery will have a little bit of power left just not enough to operate the starter motor. This little bit of power is enough to provide a spark because the induction coil uses verry little current to operate.At night though you are screwed again because as soon as you turn your lights on all power will drain and you will stall on the side of the road.Older diesels will run indefinately with out battery or alternator because there are no spark plugs. Modern ones need voltage to keep the engine running,injection pump solenoids,management etc...I've driven petrol cars upto 100miles to get them home during daylight hours without alternator and just enough battey power to keep the plugs sparking and the brake lights dimly lighting. If you are brave and have a friend to drive behind you it may be worth pulling out the brake light bulbs or fuses to ensure the last gasp of battery power doesnt drain under braking and use hand signals instead of indicators,all illegal of course so keep your wits about you !