Battery Charging

CAUTION: Before servicing any electrical component, the ignition key must be in the OFF or LOCK position and all electrical loads must be OFF; unless instructed otherwise in these procedures. If a tool or equipment could easily come in contact with a live exposed electrical terminal, also disconnect the negative battery cable. Failure to follow these precautions may cause personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or its components.

When it is necessary to charge the battery, the following basic rules must be followed:
^ Use a charger, with an end voltage of 16 V, equipped with a voltmeter that is accurate to within 1 percent.
^ The ambient temperature should be 15-38°C (60-100°F). A battery that is extremely cold will not accept immeasurable current for several hours after starting the charger.
^ The charging area should be well ventilated.
^ Do not charge the battery when the built in hydrometer is clear or yellow. Refer to Battery Hydrometer Displays Dark or Yellow Dot. Testing and Inspection
^ Do not charge a battery that appears to be frozen.
^ Batteries showing a green dot in the hydrometer do not need to be charged unless they have just been discharged (such as load testing or cranking of the engine).