Battery: Description and Operation

Battery:

BATTERY
The battery is sealed and water cannot be added. A side post battery is used in this vehicle. It is located inside the left wheelwell behind a protective shield.

The battery stores, stabilizes, and delivers electrical current to operate various electrical systems in the vehicle. The determination of whether a battery is good or bad is made by its ability to accept a charge. It also must supply high-amperage current for a long enough period to be able to start the vehicle. The capability of the battery to store electrical current comes from a chemical reaction. This reaction takes place between the sulfuric acid solution (electrolyte) and the lead +A plates in each cell of the battery. As the battery discharges, the plates react with the acid from the electrolyte. When the charging system charges the battery, the water is converted to sulfuric acid in the battery. The concentration of acid in the electrolyte is measured as specific gravity using a hydrometer. The specific gravity indicates the battery's state-of-charge.

The battery is vented to release gases that are created when the battery is being charged and discharged.

The battery must be completely charged, and the battery side, posts, and cable terminals must be cleaned before diagnostic procedures are performed.

BATTERY BLANKET HEATER

Battery Blanket Heater:

The 110 volt AC blanket heater is used to improve the battery cold start ability. The blanket heater is used with Alaska and Canada cold weather packages. It is wrapped around the battery and permanently left installed.

This vehicle has an electronic voltage regulator which controls battery charging. ONLY CHRYSLER approved battery blanket/block heater combination should be used. It is designed to provide optimum charging system performance in very cold ambient temperatures below -17.8 °C (0 °F). The addition of an aftermarket battery heater or engine block heater will adversely affect battery charging and will result in battery discharge or damage.

IGNITION OFF DRAW (IOD) FUSE
The Ignition Off Draw (IOD) fuse is located in the Junction Block cavity number 5. Removing this fuse will help prevent the battery from discharging during storage.

A completely normal vehicle will have a small amount of current drain on the battery with the key out of the ignition. It can range from 15 to 30 milliamperes after all the modules time out. If a vehicle will not be operated for approximately a 20 days, the IOD fuse should be disconnected to eliminate the vehicle electrical drain on the battery.