Load Test - Jeep 1996 Grand Cherokee Service Manual

ZJ
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)
is not available; or, for maintenance-free batteries
with non-removable cell caps.
WARNING:
IF THE BATTERY SHOWS SIGNS OF FREEZING,
LEAKING, LOOSE POSTS, OR LOW ELECTROLYTE
LEVEL, DO NOT
CHARGE. THE BATTERY MAY ARC INTERNALLY
AND EXPLODE. PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHI-
CLE DAMAGE MAY RESULT.
EXPLOSIVE HYDROGEN GAS FORMS IN AND
AROUND THE BATTERY. DO NOT SMOKE, USE
FLAME, OR CREATE SPARKS NEAR THE BATTERY.
PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE
MAY RESULT.
THE BATTERY CONTAINS
WHICH IS POISONOUS AND CAUSTIC. AVOID CON-
TACT WITH THE SKIN, EYES, OR CLOTHING. IN
THE EVENT OF CONTACT, FLUSH WITH WATER
AND CALL A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY. KEEP OUT
OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
IF THE BATTERY IS EQUIPPED WITH REMOV-
ABLE CELL CAPS, BE CERTAIN THAT EACH OF
THE CELL CAPS IS IN PLACE AND TIGHT BEFORE
THE BATTERY IS RETURNED TO SERVICE. PER-
SONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE MAY
RESULT FROM LOOSE OR MISSING CELL CAPS.
Before proceeding with this test, completely charge
the battery as described in Battery Charging in this
group.
(1) Before measuring the open-circuit voltage, the
surface charge must be removed from the battery.
Turn the headlamps on for 15 seconds, then allow up
to five minutes for the battery voltage to stabilize.
(2) Disconnect and isolate both battery cables, neg-
ative cable first.
(3) Using a voltmeter connected to the battery
posts (refer to the instructions provided with the
voltmeter), measure the open-circuit voltage (Fig. 4).
Fig. 4 Testing Open-Circuit Voltage
TEST, ASSIST-BOOST,
SULFURIC
See the Open-Circuit Voltage chart. This voltage
reading will indicate the battery state-of-charge, but
will not reveal its cranking capacity. If a battery has
an open-circuit voltage reading of 12.4 volts or
greater, it may be load tested to reveal its cranking
capacity. See Load Test in this group for more infor-
OR
mation.
Open Circuit Volts
11.7 volts or less
12.0 volts
12.2 volts
12.4 volts
ACID,
12.6 volts or more

LOAD TEST

A battery load test will verify the battery cranking
capacity. The test is based on the Cold Cranking
Amperage (CCA) rating of the battery. See the Bat-
tery Classifications and Ratings chart in Specifica-
tions at the back of this group.
WARNING:
IF THE BATTERY SHOWS SIGNS OF FREEZING,
LEAKING, LOOSE POSTS, OR LOW ELECTROLYTE
LEVEL, DO
CHARGE. THE BATTERY MAY ARC INTERNALLY
AND EXPLODE. PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHI-
CLE DAMAGE MAY RESULT.
EXPLOSIVE HYDROGEN GAS FORMS IN AND
AROUND THE BATTERY. DO NOT SMOKE, USE
FLAME, OR CREATE SPARKS NEAR THE BATTERY.
PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE
MAY RESULT.
THE BATTERY
WHICH IS POISONOUS AND CAUSTIC. AVOID CON-
TACT WITH THE SKIN, EYES, OR CLOTHING. IN
THE EVENT OF CONTACT, FLUSH WITH WATER
AND CALL A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY. KEEP OUT
OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
IF THE BATTERY IS EQUIPPED WITH REMOV-
ABLE CELL CAPS, BE CERTAIN THAT EACH OF
THE CELL CAPS IS IN PLACE AND TIGHT BEFORE
THE BATTERY IS RETURNED TO SERVICE. PER-
SONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE MAY
RESULT FROM LOOSE OR MISSING CELL CAPS.
Before proceeding with this test, completely charge
the battery as described in Battery Charging in this
group.
(1) Disconnect and isolate both battery cables, neg-
ative cable first. The battery top and posts should be
clean.
BATTERY
Open Circuit Voltage
Charge Percentage
100%
NOT TEST, ASSIST-BOOST,
CONTAINS SULFURIC
8A - 7
0%
25%
50%
75%
OR
ACID,