Battery Load Test

TOOLS REQUIRED
^ SA9I54Z-A Starting and Charging System Tester

TEST PROCEDURE




1. Turn On Starting and Charging System Tester SA9154Z-A and press the BATTERY TEST key.

IMPORTANT: Make sure the battery terminals and cables are clean.

2. Clamp the red lead to the positive battery terminal. Make sure the leads are secure.
3. Clamp the black lead to the negative battery terminal.
4. Turn the ignition and all accessories Off.
5. Press BATTERY TEST or BATTERY TEST after CHARGING. The BATTERY TEST after CHARGING removes the surface charge before testing.
6. The display says INPUT COLD CRANKING AMP (CCA). Using the number keypad, input the CCA and press ENTER. The display says TEST IN PROGRESS.
7. To abort the test push any function key or the POWER OFF key.

TEST RESULTS
Display says TEST RESULT and shows diagnosis:
^ Good Battery - the battery is capable of holding a charge and is performing to specifications.
^ Good, Low Charge - the battery is good but needs to be recharged.
^ Bad Battery - the battery will not hold a charge and perform to specifications. The battery should be replaced.
^ Charge and Retest - the battery condition cannot be determined until after it is fully charged.

IMPORTANT: When CHARGE and RETEST appears, the battery must be charged. Refer to the "Battery/Charging" procedure. Battery Charging Procedure

GOOD BATTERY
If a battery has tested good and continues to discharge in service, the following are possible causes to the problem:
^ Vehicle accessories left On.
^ Conditions in charging system such as slipping belt, high wiring resistance, faulty generator/charging system.
^ Blown fusible link between starter and generator.
^ Vehicle electrical load exceeding capacity of generator.
^ Extended low speed driving with many electrical accessories turned On.
^ Conditions in vehicle electrical system such as shorted wired or high parasitic current loads.

NOTE: Do not check for battery terminal tightness by rotating cable while attached to battery. This could damage lug face and result in a poor electrical connection.

^ Loose cable connection, loose hold downs or improper charging of a previously run down battery.
^ Corroded or loose cable connections or other cranking system condition.
^ Long periods of vehicle storage without disconnecting the battery. Parasitic loads can discharge a battery in a 4 to 6 weeks.

IMPORTANT: A dead battery is usually a symptom of another problem. Fix the problem, don't just charge battery.