So I was helping this guy to jump start his car today. When he was disconnecting the cables on his side he had the two alligator clips in contact.

Could this have done any serious damage to my battery or electrical system?

Thanks in advance.

 

Probably not but possibly maybe. Sorry, can't be any more precise than this. The electrical system should have fuses to protect critical stuff from this sort of thing. People have been doing this sort of dumb stuff forever. Not often does it lead to damage. Nothing you can do about it now anyway. Just drive the thing and any damage will likely show up pretty quick.

 

if all systems seems ok then i wouldnt worry all too much. your battery itself acts as a shock absorber. it will soak up some electrical shock from when the jumper cable terminal made contact. but only if they were in contact briefly.

 

You really don't really want to jump start someone else's car any more. Not with modern cars. If you just left yours off and connected the batteries, you might be ok but, if yours is running and his cranks, your charging systems will be duking it out with his. It's asking for trouble.

Autozone and places like that sell jump start battery packs you're supposed to use these days.