every time i try to jump start my van the battery sparks and overheats, though the first time we jumped it, it started right away, the second time the battery got hot and started sparking. I can only assume that the sillinoid on the side of the van burned up on the first jump. I know the inline fuze was burned, so thats my only avenue.. Although another opinion would be nice...

 

Welcome to FTE!

A jump start is a good deal when stuck somewhere, say in the wintertime with no other way to get home. Maybe somebody left the headlights on overnight by mistake. This used to be a common problem. Saves a tow truck bill. Jump starting should probably be avoided unless there is no other way. I'd bring a fresh battery and install it, if possible, instead of jump starting.

But it is very important to charge a battery that needed a jump completely as soon as possible with a charger. This will take several hours or overnight with a standard automotive battery charger. The alternator won't do an effective job of this, the battery will only be barely charged. It's kind of like driving around on underinflated tires, very hard on them. And then figure out why it needed a jump start.

It is good maintenance practice to load test a battery that has been discharged even once. Dead or "reversed cell" for example. A defective battery in turn, can permanently damage the alternator. And a defective alternator can permanently damage a new battery for that matter. So both the alternator charging system and the battery should be checked out. Automotive start batteries don't like to be run down, just a few deep discharges may kill it.