Table of Contents
Advertisement
•
BATTERY/STARTING/CHARGING SYSTEMS DIAGNOSTICS
8A - 3
Fig. 3 Battery Construction and Test Indicator
pletely charged (green dot) a n d t h e top, posts, a n d
t e r m i n a l s should be properly cleaned before diagnos-
t i c procedures are performed, see Group 8B - Battery/
Starter Service, for a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n .
TEST INDICATOR
A test i n d i c a t o r (hydrometer) b u i l t i n t o t h e t o p of
b a t t e r y case, provides v i s u a l i n f o r m a t i o n for b a t t e r y
t e s t i n g (Fig. 4). T h e test indicator is t o be used w i t h
diagnostic procedures described i n t h i s group. I t is
i m p o r t a n t w h e n u s i n g t h e test indicator t h a t the bat-
t e r y is r e l a t i v e l y level a n d has a clean top to see cor-
rect indications. A l i g h t m a y be required t o v i e w
indicator.
WARNING: DO NOT USE OPEN FLAME. EXPLOSIVE
GASES FORM ABOVE BATTERY.
Fig. 4 Built in Test Indicator
STATE OF CHARGE TEST
USING TEST
INDICATOR
The b u i l t - i n test indicator (hydrometer) measures
t h e specific g r a v i t y o f t h e electrolyte. Specific g r a v i t y
(SG) of t h e electrolyte w i l l indicate state-of-charge
(voltage); a l t h o u g h , t h e test i n d i c a t o r w i l l n o t i n d i -
cate c r a n k i n g capacity of the b a t t e r y . Refer to B a t -
t e r y Load Test for more i n f o r m a t i o n . Look i n t o t h e
sight glass a n d note t h e color of the indicator ( F i g .
5), refer to t h e following description as color i n d i -
cates:
G R E E N — 7 5 t o 100% state-of-charge
The battery i s adequately charged for f u r t h e r test-
i n g o r r e t u r n t o use. I f t h e vehicle w i l l not c r a n k for
a m a x i m u m 15 seconds, refer to B a t t e r y Load Test
for more i n f o r m a t i o n .
B L A C K O R D A R K — 0 t o 75% state-of-charge
The battery i s inadequately charged a n d m u s t be
charged u n t i l green dot is visible (12.4 volts o r
greater) before t h e battery is tested or r e t u r n e d to
use, refer t o Causes of B a t t e r y Discharging for more
i n f o r m a t i o n .
Y E L L O W O R B R I G H T C O L O R
WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CHARGE, TEST,
OR ASSIST BOOST BATTERY WHEN YELLOW OR
BRIGHT COLOR DOT IS VISIBLE. PERSONAL IN-
JURY MAY OCCUR.
A yellow or b r i g h t color dot indicates w a t e r (elec-
trolyte) level i n battery is below t h e test i n d i c a t o r
(Fig. 5). W a t e r can n o t be added to a maintenance
free battery. T h e battery m u s t be replaced. A l o w
electrolyte level m a y be caused by a n over c h a r g i n g
condition. Refer to A l t e r n a t o r Test Procedures O n
Vehicle i n t h i s group.
TEST INDICATOR/STATE OF CHARGE
1
71
0
REPLACE BATTERY
1
71
0
REPLACE BATTERY
GREEN
BLACK
YELLOW 898A-3
Fig. 5 Test Indicator Sight Glass
CAUSES OF BATTERY DISCHARGING
I t is n o r m a l for a vehicle to have a s m a l l (5 to 30
milliamperes) continuous electrical draw f r o m t h e
b a t t e r y w i t h t h e i g n i t i o n i n t h e O F F position, a n d
the courtesy, dome, storage compartments, a n d en-
gine compartment lights OFF. The continuous d r a w
is due t o various electronic features or accessories
t h a t require electrical c u r r e n t w i t h the i g n i t i o n O F F
to f u n c t i o n properly. When a vehicle is not used over
an extended period (20 days) the m a i n fusible l i n k
connector (Fig. 6), located behind t h e b a t t e r y o n t h e
engine w i r i n g harness, should be disconnected. T h i s
w i l l prevent b a t t e r y discharging.
ABNORMAL
BATTERY
DISCHARGING
(1) Corroded b a t t e r y posts and terminals.
Advertisement
Table of Contents
