Last few days is extremely cold here in the Natherlands and many cars have starting problems.
This is a philosophical question but I was wandering if a 6 volt battery should start a 12 volt car.
I believe that in the case of an older car without electronics it might turn the starter but the voltage should be too low for a good spark for the ignition.
What happens in this case with modern cars? did anyone try it? I am guessing the electronics should not even think of operating at 6 volts.

Jianis

Good Morning Jianis , I know it's cold out and perhaps your suffering from a wee bit of "cabin fever"...But maybe it would be best if you try to get out before you lose your mind...Best Wish's and Just Kidding , Your Chat Buddy , Kevin

I would not try to start a modern car with 6-volts. It might do damage to the expensive electronics on the modern car. Best you get a jump from a 12-volt car. This is an excellent excuse to own a "jump" pack.

Thanks for the warning Ray ...You can just imagine where this is headed...Remember Jianis 'er Jack in "The Shining"...? Love those "jump" packs...My mechanic buddies tell me to pass on the ones with air compressor combo though...

Ray

I should not try that and if I had to I have a few tricks to cheat the electronics ( almost 50 years in experimenting ) I was just wandering if anyone did and got problems with it.

Kevin

Shining one of my favorite Nicholsons films...Here I have lots to do indoors and going to work keeps me out of trouble too.
Last year my daughter got a new battery for her car and a month later she came home from work asking : dad whats that red light on the dashboard? it stays on since yesterday !!! I told her that was the time to get a new car light (oil pressure)so her car went to the scrapyard and I kept the battery witch I always have in my car with 2 jump cables...

Jianis

The cars with computer systems will shut down when the voltage gets to around 9 volts. So if your driving with the alt. light on, when the voltage drops low enough your in tennis shoe mode.

It takes 8-10 volts to turn a 12 volt starter. The 6 volt battery only produces 6.6 volts so it will not even turn the starter. If you can push start the car you will only have 1/2 of the voltage to the spark plugs and a very weak spark which makes igniting the gas/air mixture unlikely.

Not to mention that the fuel pump on a newer car with FI probably wouldn't deliver sufficient fuel to the engine to run.

Regards:
Oldengineer