Dodge 2000 DURANGO Service Manual page 255

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DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)
TESTING
BUILT-IN TEST INDICATOR
A test indicator (hydrometer) built into the top of
the battery case provides visual information for bat-
tery testing (Fig. 5). Like a hydrometer, the built-in
test indicator measures the specific gravity of the
battery electrolyte. The test indicator reveals the bat-
tery state-of-charge; however, it will not reveal the
cranking capacity of the battery. A load test must be
performed to determine the battery cranking capac-
ity. Refer to Load Test in this section for the proper
battery load testing procedures.
Fig. 5 Built-In Test Indicator
1 – SIGHT GLASS
2 – BATTERY TOP
3 – GREEN BALL
4 – PLASTIC ROD
WARNING:
• IF THE BATTERY SHOWS SIGNS OF FREEZ-
ING, LEAKING, LOOSE POSTS, OR LOW ELECTRO-
LYTE LEVEL, DO NOT TEST, ASSIST-BOOST, OR
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 SULFURIC ACID,
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 testing, visually inspect the battery for any
damage (a cracked case or cover, loose posts, etc.)
that would cause the battery to be faulty. In order to
obtain correct indications from the built-in test indi-
cator, it is important that the battery be level and
have a clean sight glass. Additional light may be
required to view the indicator. Do not use open
flame as a source of additional light.
To read the built-in test indicator, look into the
sight glass and note the color of the indicator (Fig. 6).
The battery condition that each color indicates is
described in the following list:
• Green
Indicates 75% to 100% battery state-of-charge. The
battery is adequately charged for further testing or
return to service. If the starter will not crank for a
minimum of fifteen seconds with a fully-charged bat-
tery, the battery must be load tested. Refer to Load
Test in this section for the proper battery load test-
ing procedures.
• Black or Dark
Indicates 0% to 75% battery state-of-charge. The bat-
tery is inadequately charged and must be charged
until a green indication is visible in the sight glass
(12.4 volts or more), before the battery is tested fur-
ther or returned to service. Refer to Battery Charg-
ing in the index of this service manual for the
location of the proper battery charging procedures.
Also refer to Abnormal Battery Discharging in
this section for the possible causes of the discharged
battery condition.
• Clear or Bright
Indicates a low battery electrolyte level. The electro-
lyte level in the battery is below the test indicator. A
maintenance-free battery with non-removable cell
caps must be replaced if the electrolyte level is low.
Water must be added to a low-maintenance battery
with removable cell caps before it is charged. Refer to
Battery Charging in the index of this service man-
ual for the location of the proper battery charging
procedures. A low electrolyte level may be caused by
an overcharging condition. Refer to Charging Sys-
tem in the index of this service manual for the loca-
tion of the proper charging system diagnosis and
testing procedures.
HYDROMETER TEST
The hydrometer test reveals the battery state-of-
charge by measuring the specific gravity of the elec-
trolyte. This test cannot be performed on
maintenance-free batteries with non-removable
cell caps. If the battery has non-removable cell caps,
refer to Built-In Test Indicator or Open-Circuit
Voltage Test in this section for the proper proce-
dures for performing these alternate tests of the bat-
tery state-of-charge.
BATTERY 8A - 9