Battery - Charging Tips and Guidelines
Article No.02-4-5
02/15/02
ELECTRICAL - BATTERY - DISCHARGED BATTERY -
CHARGING SERVICE TIPS AND GUIDELINES
FORD:
1998-2000 CONTOUR
1998-2002 CROWN VICTORIA, ESCORT, MUSTANG, TAURUS
2000-2002 ESCORT ZX2, FOCUS
1998-2002 E SERIES, EXPEDITION, EXPLORER SPORT, EXPLORER, F-150,
RANGER, WINDSTAR
1999-2002 SUPER DUTY F SERIES
2000-2002 EXCURSION
2001-2002 ESCAPE, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC
1998-2002 F-650, F-750
LINCOLN:
1998-2002 CONTINENTAL, TOWN CAR
2000-2002 LS
1998-2002 NAVIGATOR
2002 BLACKWOOD
MERCURY:
1998-2000 MYSTIQUE
1998-2002 GRAND MARQUIS, SABLE
1999-2002 COUGAR
1998-2002 MOUNTAINEER, VILLAGER
ISSUE
Each Ford Motor Company Dealership was provided with a Midtronics Micro 490 Battery Tester by Ford at no cost. These testers have been found to be extremely accurate if used properly and can distinguish the differences between good, defective, worn out, or discharged-only batteries. Discharged Only batteries are recoverable, with no effect on battery life or charge capacity.
ACTION
In addition to battery durability improvements, battery chargers have improved with the addition of the new generation of "Pulse Chargers". These new chargers, pulse current into the battery that breaks down the sulfation layer on the improved battery plates, and generally reduce charging times to less than one hour. Follow the guidelines in the following Service Tips for battery charging.
SERVICE INFORMATION
Before recharging a discharged battery, consult the appropriate Workshop Manual for recommended inspection details.
The information summarizes the two recommended methods of charging:
^ DEEPLY DISCHARGED - A battery which has been drained to the point it is dead over a prolonged period of time such as an unsold vehicle
^ SHALLOW DISCHARGE - A battery which has been run low by leaving an accessory on for several hours or a few days
Cold batteries will not readily accept a charge. Therefore, batteries should be allowed to warm up to approximately 50 C (41 F) before charging. This may require four to eight hours at room temperature depending on the initial temperature and battery size.
A battery which has been completely discharged and left in that condition for a prolonged time (such as an unsold vehicle) may be slow to accept a charge initially, and in some cases may not accept a charge at the normal charger setting. When batteries are in this condition, charging can be started by use of the dead battery switch on chargers so equipped.
To determine whether a battery is accepting a charge, follow charger manufacturer's instructions for use of dead battery switch. If switch is the spring-loaded type, it may need to be held in the ON position for up to three minutes.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES: 203000, 290000, 601300, 603300