Jump-Start a Flat Battery

A flat 12 volt battery is the most common reason a Nissan Note Mk2 (E12, sold as the Versa Note in North America) won’t crank — and with a set of jumper leads or a jump pack you can usually get going in a few minutes. The battery sits in the engine bay, on the right-hand side as you face the engine. Follow the connection order below carefully: getting it wrong risks sparks near the battery.

What You Need

• A set of jumper cables and a running donor car with a 12 volt battery, or a portable jump-starter pack.
• Both cars in P (or neutral with the handbrake on for the manual), ignitions off.
• The two cars close but not touching.

How to Jump-Start the Note

1. Switch off the ignition and all electrics in both cars, and apply the handbrakes.
2. Connect the red lead to the positive (+) terminal of the flat battery.
3. Connect the other end of the red lead to the positive (+) terminal of the donor battery (or jump pack).
4. Connect the black lead to the donor’s negative (−) terminal (or the jump pack’s negative).
5. Connect the other end of the black lead to a bare metal earthing point on the Note’s engine or body — an unpainted bracket or engine lifting eye — not the flat battery’s negative terminal. This keeps any spark away from battery gases.
6. Start the donor car and let it run for a couple of minutes.
7. Start the Note. If it doesn’t fire within about 10 seconds, stop, wait a minute, and try again.
8. With the Note running, remove the leads in the exact reverse order: earth point, donor negative, donor positive, then the flat battery’s positive.
9. Keep the Note running or take it for a drive of 20 minutes or more so the alternator can recharge the battery.

Safety Notes

• Only ever jump from a 12 volt supply — never a truck’s 24 volt system.
• Keep the leads clear of the radiator fan, belts and pulleys, which can start without warning.
• Don’t lean over the battery while connecting; a flat battery can give off flammable hydrogen.
• If the battery case is cracked, leaking or frozen, do not jump-start it — replace it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the battery on a Nissan Note E12?

Under the bonnet, on the right-hand side of the engine bay. The positive terminal usually wears a red or black plastic cover you flip up to reach it; the negative bolts to a bracket on the body.

My Note is a manual — can I bump-start it instead?

Yes. With a manual gearbox you can push- or roll-start it: switch the ignition on, press the clutch, select second gear, get the car rolling (downhill or with a push) to a walking pace or faster, then release the clutch smartly while giving a little throttle. Press the clutch again once it fires. This only works on the manual, not the CVT.

The car jumped but died again after I removed the leads — why?

If it will only run while connected, the battery is likely too far gone to hold charge, or the alternator isn’t charging. Have the battery and charging system tested; a healthy alternator should show around 13.5–14.5 volts at idle.

How long should I drive to recharge the battery?

At least 20–30 minutes of steady driving, ideally on a longer run. Short trips with lights, heater and heated screen on may not put back what starting took out, so a proper charge or a mains battery charger is better if the battery has been deeply flattened.

Do I need to reset anything after the battery goes flat?

The clock and radio presets may clear, and the driver’s one-touch window and the engine’s idle learning can need re-setting after the battery is disconnected or fully drained. See our separate guides for those steps.

Disclaimer: This guide is for general information. Always follow your vehicle’s official service information and safety instructions. Perform repairs at your own risk.

If a warning light stays on after jump-starting, a stored fault code can help pinpoint why — look it up on autodtcs.com.