Battery terminal clamp

[RattyCortina]

Yesterday I had to jump start a car with my van, I had to block the road to get to it so was in a bit of a rush. I flipped up the 'cover' (as I thought) on the positive terminal and put the jump lead on, that's when I found that the 'cover' is actually the clamp for the terminal, which was then of course loose on the battery post. So my questions are could I have done any harm by loosening the terminal with the engine running and for future reference how do you get a connection on the positive terminal without lifting the clamp?.

[oilyrag]

The main item of hardware at risk would be the alternator, which needs a running load.  Jump lead starting can cause all manner of issues with 'modern' cars and possibly the only safe way is, with ignition off, to disconnect the power clamp and just use the battery as the power source. Even then you risk losing things like coded radios and even upsetting the electronics. Incorrect connection  - + to - can destroy such things in a second.
If you're keen to be an AA man then get one of those power pack jobs from Lidl, or just offer to steer whilst they push!

[ffrenchie]

Clamp your jump lead to a thick screwdriver and push it down onto the terminal metal part and hold it while someone turns the key. We do this with bikes where the terminals are hard to get at or too small. It's not very likely you've done any damage, one or other of the two batteries must have been in circuit if it was connected to the positive.

[Sol]

You should have been able to lift the red plastic panel and access the live + terminal, then use the ground stud on the passenger side inner wing near the strut top, as the negative return. The metal part clamped onto the pos terminal is the distribution point from the battery and not to be moved unless you mean to. Maybe your red cover is missing?

Watch this:
https://youtu.be/nm9zIbWOQKQ
(B9 but the battery cover should be identical)

[SinsBird]

M59s don't care if you disconnect the battery if the alternator isn't faulty and some faults are only visible on the oscilloscope. You can remove the battery entirely and drive around no problem.

[Sol]

Until you need to start it again.

[RattyCortina]

You should have been able to lift the red plastic panel and access the live + terminal, then use the ground stud on the passenger side inner wing near the strut top, as the negative return. The metal part clamped onto the pos terminal is the distribution point from the battery and not to be moved unless you mean to. Maybe your red cover is missing?

Watch this:
https://youtu.be/nm9zIbWOQKQ
(B9 but the battery cover should be identical)

Thanks for the link but my battery set up is nothing like that, there is no cover on the battery itself, just a red cover/clamp on the positive terminal.

I will have another look when I have time, I'm sure there must be a way to attach a jump lead without loosening the terminal?

[Sol]

Citroen did not envisage a jump start.

As others said, Halfords Jump Pack, if you wanted to be a good Samaritan.