Dodge 2000 DURANGO Service Manual page 250

8A - 4 BATTERY
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)
is also crimped onto the ends of two wires. One wire
has an eyelet terminal that connects the battery neg-
ative cable to the vehicle powertrain through a
ground screw or stud on the engine. The other wire
has an eyelet terminal that connects the battery neg-
ative cable to the vehicle body through a weld stud
located near the front of the left front fender inner
shield, near the battery.
BATTERY HOLD DOWNS
DESCRIPTION
Fig. 3 Battery Hold Downs
1 – CLIPS
2 – BOLT
3 – TRAY
4 – BATTERY
5 – HOLD DOWN STRAP AND THERMOGUARD
6 – POSITIVE CABLE
7 – NEGATIVE CABLE
The battery hold down hardware (Fig. 3) includes
two bolts, two U-nuts and a hold down strap/battery
thermoguard unit. The molded plastic battery hold
down strap is integral to the battery thermoguard
unit, which encloses the sides of the battery case.
When installing a battery into the battery tray, be
certain that the hold down hardware is properly
installed and that the fasteners are tightened to the
proper specifications. Improper hold down fastener
tightness, whether too loose or too tight, can result in
damage to the battery, the vehicle or both. Refer to
Battery Hold Downs in the index of this service
manual for the location of the proper battery hold
down installation procedures, including the proper
hold down fastener tightness specifications.
OPERATION
The battery hold down hardware secures the bat-
tery to the battery tray in the engine compartment.
This hardware is designed to prevent battery move-
ment during vehicle operation. Unrestrained battery
movement during vehicle operation can result in
damage to the vehicle, the battery or both. The bat-
tery thermoguard protects the battery from engine
compartment temperature extremes. The air trapped
between the thermoguard and the battery case cre-
ates a dead air space, which helps to insulate the
sides of the battery case from the surrounding engine
compartment air temperature.
The two hold down U-nuts are installed onto the
battery tray before the tray is installed in the engine
compartment. The U-nuts are installed over a hole in
a molded formation integral to each side of the bat-
tery tray. After the battery is properly positioned in
the battery tray, the hold down strap/battery thermo-
guard unit is installed over the top of the battery
case. A long hold down bolt is then installed through
a hole on each end of the battery hold down strap
and threaded into the U-nuts on the battery tray.
The hold down bolts are then tightened to securely
hold down the battery in the battery tray.
BATTERY TRAY
DESCRIPTION
The battery is mounted in a molded plastic tray
(Fig. 4) located in the left front corner of the engine
compartment. The battery tray is secured on the
inboard side with screws to a stamped steel battery
tray support located on the left side of the radiator,
on the outboard side with screws to the front exten-
sion of the left front wheelhouse inner panel and at
the front to the front closure panel on the left side of
the radiator yoke. The battery tray support is
secured at the front with screws to the left side of
the radiator yoke, and at the rear with a screw to the
front extension of the left front wheelhouse inner
panel.
A hole in the bottom of the battery tray is fitted
with a battery temperature sensor. Refer to Battery
Temperature Sensor in the index of this service
manual for the location of more information on the
battery temperature sensor. The battery tray also
includes two stanchions that are molded into the rear
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