Electrical - Battery Maintenance Information

Date: January 27, 2009

Order No.: S-B-54.10/213

Supersedes:

Group: 54

SUBJECT:
MY- All, Models 164, 171, 199, 203, 204, 209, 211, 216, 219, 221, 230, 251, 463

Battery Maintenance

The vehicle battery must be checked periodically on vehicles that remain inactive for extended periods of time. The maximum allowable time between performing battery checks is 4 weeks. In the event that a vehicle is going to be stored for more than 4 weeks, it is recommended to disconnect the ground lead at the battery. This will prevent battery discharge by quiescent current (rest current) draw from the vehicle's no-load current consumers.

NOTE:
If it is deemed necessary to charge the on-board electrical system battery and the vehicle is equipped with more than one battery, then the starter battery must also be charged. On vehicles with more than one battery, ground leads should be disconnected from all batteries equipped on the vehicle including the on-board electrical system battery, starter battery and the auxiliary/additional battery (G1/7).

Check the battery voltage of the on-board electrical system battery via the instrument cluster or multimeter, as described in AR54.10-P-1132A. A battery should be charged when the measured voltage drops below 12.2 V.

If the vehicle has been inactive for 6 months or longer, prior to putting the vehicle back in service, the batteries must be charged to counteract any effect of self-discharge. If equipped, the auxiliary/additional battery (G1/7) does not need to be recharged, just reattach the ground lead for this battery.

NOTE:
The instrument cluster displays a white battery symbol with the text "Visit Workshop," if the auxiliary/additional battery voltage is < 11.5 V.

If the auxiliary/additional battery is < 11.5 V and > 6.0 V, this battery will be charged by the Front SAM (N10/1) at a charge rate of 150 mA, when the engine is running or STAR Diagnosis is left connected and set to charge the auxiliary battery. If the measured voltage of the auxiliary/additional battery is < 6.0 V, the battery should be replaced.

Battery maintenance is the responsibility of the dealer for all new vehicles in dealer inventory. Batteries replaced and claimed as warranty while the vehicle is in dealer inventory, other then auxiliary/additional batteries, are subject to debit. Additionally, the customer is responsible for battery maintenance when vehicles remain inactive for extended periods of time.