Battery - Maintenance/Charging/Diagnostics/Replacement

Group:
ENGINE ELECTRICAL

Number:
05-36-011

Date:
NOVEMBER, 2005

Model:
ALL

Subject
BATTERY MAINTENANCE, DIAGNOSTIC, CHARGING, REPLACEMENT AND WARRANTY INFORMATION PROCEDURES

DESCRIPTION:

As the demands on vehicle batteries increase with the complexity of electrical systems, it is important to follow a consistent and repeatable procedure for battery maintenance, diagnosis, charging and replacement.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:

^ Always wear safety glasses and rubber gloves when handling a battery.

^ A cracked or damaged battery can emit hydrogen gas, which can cause skin burn and risk of fire or explosion.

^ Charge the battery in a well ventilated area.

^ Prevent short-circuiting and/or emission of sparks around the battery.

^ Do not tilt a battery.

^ Do not exert force of any kind on a battery.

^ Keep batteries away from flammable areas and objects.

^ Do not quick charge a battery unless suggested by the battery charging procedure.

^ Keep batteries away from high temperature and humidity.

^ Store batteries in a cool place and away from rain, snow and direct sunlight.

^ Dispose batteries by following environmentally established battery disposal procedures.

SERVICE PROCEDURE:

Battery in vehicle:

The following procedure is recommended when storing vehicles for extended periods of time.

^ Remove/Pull the memory fuse at the junction box to prevent quick battery discharging.

^ Run the engine at least once a month to recharge the battery, as necessary.

^ Immediately prior to delivery, the vehicle battery should be checked and charged as necessary (no battery replacement should be attempted until the battery has been checked using the battery diagnostic, charging and replacement procedure provided in this bulletin).

NOTE:
It is the Dealer's responsibility to determine the condition/chargeability of a battery prior to replacement of the battery.

Battery on shelf:

^ Batteries should be stored in a cool, dry place and out of direct sunlight.

^ Maintenance Free (MF) batteries are tightly sealed to prevent acid leakage; however, tilting them at an angle greater than 45 degrees may cause acid leakage through the vents on the sides.

^ Always store batteries in their upright position.

^ Prevent placing any solid conducting bodies on top of a battery.

^ It is extremely dangerous to use tools, such as hammers, on the battery terminals when connecting cables to the mounted battery.





Battery diagnostic, charging and replacement procedure.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

Normal warranty procedures apply.

^ Please see Section 6 - Warranty Retention Administrative Requirements in your current Policy and Procedures manual.

^ Please see Section 3 - New Vehicle Preparation and Delivery in your current Policy and Procedures manual.