Chrysler Concorde 2004 Service Manual page 1629

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BATTERY SYSTEM (Continued)
ponents. In addition to the maintenance schedules
found in this service manual and the owner's man-
ual, it is recommended that these procedures be per-
formed any time the battery or related components
must be removed for vehicle service.
(1) Clean the battery cable terminals of all corro-
sion. Remove any corrosion using a wire brush or
cleaning tool, and a sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
and warm water cleaning solution.
(2) Clean the battery tray and battery holddown
hardware of all corrosion. Remove any corrosion
using a wire brush and a sodium bicarbonate (baking
soda) and warm water cleaning solution. Paint any
exposed bare metal.
(3) If the removed battery is to be reinstalled,
clean the outside of the battery case and the top
cover with a sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and
warm water cleaning solution using a stiff bristle
parts cleaning brush to remove any acid film (Fig. 1).
Rinse the battery with clean water. Ensure that the
cleaning solution does not enter the battery cells
through the vent holes. If the battery is being
replaced, refer to Battery System Specifications for
the factory-installed battery specifications. Confirm
that the replacement battery is the correct size and
has the correct ratings for the vehicle.
Fig. 1 Battery Cleaning - Typical
1 - CLEANING BRUSH
2 - WARM WATER AND BAKING SODA SOLUTION
3 - BATTERY
(4) If equipped, clean the battery heater blanket
with a sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and warm
water cleaning solution using a stiff bristle parts
cleaning brush to remove any acid film.
(5) Clean any corrosion from the battery terminals
with a wire brush or terminal cleaner, and a sodium
bicarbonate (baking soda) and warm water cleaning
solution.
INSPECTION
The following information details the recommended
inspection procedures for the battery and related
components. In addition to the maintenance sched-
ules found in this service manual and the owner's
manual, it is recommended that these procedures be
performed any time the battery or related compo-
nents must be removed for vehicle service.
(1) Inspect the battery cable terminals for damage.
Replace any battery cable that has a damaged or
deformed terminal.
(2) Inspect the battery tray and battery holddown
hardware for damage. Replace any damaged parts.
(3) If equipped, slide the heater blanket off of the
battery case. Inspect the battery case for cracks or
other damage that could result in electrolyte leaks.
Also, check the battery terminals for looseness. Bat-
teries with damaged cases or loose terminals must be
replaced.
(4) If equipped, inspect the battery heater blanket
for tears, cracks, deformation or other damage.
Replace any battery heater blanket that has been
damaged.
(5) Inspect the battery built-in test indicator sight
glass (if equipped) for an indication of the battery
condition. If the battery is discharged, charge as
required. Refer to Standard Procedures for the
proper battery built-in indicator test procedures. Also
refer to Standard Procedures for the proper battery
charging procedures.
SPECIFICATIONS
The battery Group Size number, the Cold Cranking
Amperage (CCA) rating, and the Reserve Capacity
(RC) rating or Ampere-Hours (AH) rating can be
found on the original equipment battery label. Be
certain that a replacement battery has the correct
Group Size number, as well as CCA, and RC or AH
ratings that equal or exceed the original equipment
specification for the vehicle being serviced. Battery
sizes and ratings are discussed in more detail below.
• Group Size - The outside dimensions and ter-
minal placement of the battery conform to standards
established by the Battery Council International
(BCI). Each battery is assigned a BCI Group Size
number to help identify a correctly-sized replace-
ment.
• Cold Cranking Amperage - The Cold Crank-
ing Amperage (CCA) rating specifies how much cur-
BATTERY SYSTEM 8F - 5