Battery Storage, Vehicles In Repair, General Information & Built-In Test Information

BATTERY STORAGE

Today's vehicles have several electronic devices which result in a very small but continuous current drain on their batteries, commonly referred to as "key off loads." Vehicles that are not used for an extended period of time may develop extremely discharged and/or permanently damaged batteries resulting from these small loads. Discharged batteries can freeze at temperatures as high as 20~F causing permanent damage.

To alleviate this condition, the negative battery cable should be disconnected on vehicles which are not going to be in service within a 30-day period. If this is not possible, batteries should be recharged periodically, every 30-60 days, until the green dot is visible.

THE IGNITION SWITCH MUST BE OFF WHEN CONNECTING OR DISCONNECTING BATTERY CABLES OR CHARGERS. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY OVERSTRESS OR DAMAGE THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS.
VEHICLES IN REPAIR AREA

If a vehicle is going to be in a repair area for a prolonged period of time, the technician should disconnect the battery if battery current is not required. This will avoid battery current drains from an open hood, deck lid, doors, etc.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The battery is the heart of the vehicle's electrical system. It is very important that it is capable of delivering the necessary electricity when called for and capable of accepting electricity when it is in a low state of charge.

Another important feature of the battery is that it acts as a giant capacitor (shock absorber) in the vehicle's electrical system. It absorbs many abnormal and transient voltages that are created by the various electrical components of the system.

If a battery is not up to specifications it will not deliver the necessary electricity, will not accept electricity, and will not act as a capacitor. Consequently, the vehicle's entire electrical system will be affected when this happens.

All vehicles are equipped with maintenance free batteries and are, as the name implies, totally maintenance free and have no removable battery cell caps. Water never needs to be added to the maintenance free battery. The battery is completely sealed except for small vent holes in the cover. These vent holes allow what small amount of gasses are produced in the battery to escape. The special chemical composition inside the battery reduces the production of gas to an extremely small amount at normal charging voltages. The battery contains a visual test indicator which signals when an adequate charge level exists (green indicator), when charging is required (black), or when replacement is required (yellow). The battery is of polypropylene construction. The maintenance free battery has a strong ability to withstand damaging effects of overcharge due to the heavy duty plates and premium separators.

FIGURE 1:

BUILT-IN TEST INDICATOR (HYDROMETER)

The test indicator is a built-in hydrometer on top of battery case and provides visual information for battery testing (Figure 1). The test indicator is to be used with accepted diagnostic procedures only. It should not be used to determine if the battery is good or bad, or charged or discharged.

It is important when observing the test indicator that the battery be relatively level and have a clean top to see the correct indication. A light may be required to view the indicator.

WARNING: DO NOT USE OPEN FLAME

FIGURE 2:

Under normal operation conditions two of three indications can be observed (Figure 2):

1. Green dot visible in viewing port.

Any green appearance is interpreted as a "green dot" and the battery is adequately charged for testing. On rare occasions following prolonged cranking, the green dot may still be visible. Should this occur, charge battery as described in "Battery Charging Procedures."

2. Dark or green dot not visible in viewing port.

If there is a cranking complaint, battery should be tested as described in "Load Test" section and the vehicles charging system should be checked as covered in the service manual.

WARNING: ON RARE OCCASIONS TEST INDICATOR MAY TURN LIGHT YELLOW. IN THIS CASE, THE VEHICLE'S CHARGING SYSTEM SHOULD BE CHECKED AS COVERED IN THE APPLICABLE SECTION OF THE SERVICE MANUAL. ALTHOUGH THE BATTERY MAY BE CAPABLE OF FURTHER SERVICE, REPLACE THE BATTERY IF A CRANKING COMPLAINT HAS BEEN REPORTED. DO NOT CHARGE, TEST, OR JUMP START.