Diagnostic Information And Procedures; Battery Inspection - Suzuki Grand Vitara 2011 Manual

Battery Inspection

Common Causes of Failure
A battery is not designed to last indefinitely; however,
with proper care, it will provide many years of service. If
the battery performs satisfactorily during test but fails to
operate properly for no apparent reason, the following
are some factors that may point to the cause of trouble:
• Accessories leave on overnight or for an extended
period without the generator operating.
• Slow average driving speeds for short periods.
• Electrical load exceeding generator output particularly
with addition of aftermarket equipment.
• Defects in charging system such as high resistance,
slipping drive belt, loose generator output terminal,
faulty generator or voltage regulator. Refer to
"Generator Symptom Diagnosis: For Diesel Engine
Model".
• Battery abuse, including failure to keep battery cable
terminals clean and tight or loose battery hold down.
• Mechanical problems in electrical system such as
shorted or pinched wires.
Battery Test
Visual inspection
Check for obvious damage, such as cracked or broken
case or cover, that could permit loss of electrolyte.
If obvious damage is noted, replace battery. Determine
cause of damage and correct as needed.
Hydrometer test
The direct method of checking the battery for state of
charge is to carry out a high rate discharge test, which
involves a special precise voltmeter and an expensive
instrument used in the service shops, but not
recommendable to the user of the vehicle.
At 20 °C of battery temperature (electrolyte
temperature):
• The battery is in FULLY CHARGED STATE if the
electrolyte S.G. is 1.280.
• The battery is in HALF CHARGED STATE if the S.G.
is 1.220.
• The battery is in NEARLY DISCHARGED STATE if
the S.G. is 1.150 and is in danger of freezing.
As the S.G. varies with the temperature, if battery
temperature is not at 20 °C (68 °F), you have to correct
your S.G. reading (taken with your hydrometer) to the
value at 20 °C (68 °F) and apply the corrected S.G. value
to the three-point guide stated value.
For the manner of correction, refer to the graph showing
the relation between S.G. value and temperature.

Diagnostic Information and Procedures

S6JB0A1A24001
Charging System: For Diesel Engine Model 1J-19
How to use the temperature-corrected state-of-
charge graph
Suppose your S.G. reading is 1.28 and the battery
temperature is –5 °C (23 °F). Locate the intersection of
the –5 °C line and the 1.28 S.G. line.
The intersection is within the "A" zone (shaded area in
the graph) and that means CHARGED STATE.
To know how much the battery is charged, draw a line
parallel to the zone demarcation line and extend it to the
right till it meets with the percentage scale. In the present
example, the line meets at about 85% point on the
percentage scale.Therefore, the battery is charged up to
the 85% level.
[a]: Gravity
[b]: Temperature
I5JB0B1A0003-01