Troubleshooting, Adjustment & Service

Battery Service

 

 

 

6. Charge the battery until fully charged (until the

 

 

 

 

specific gravity of the electrolyte is 1.250 or higher

WARNING

 

 

 

 

 

 

and the electrolyte temperature is at least 60° F).

Keep open flames and sparks away from the

 

The best method of making certain a battery is

battery; the gasses coming from it are highly

 

fully charged, but not over charged, is to measure

explosive. Ventilate the battery well during

 

the specific gravity of a cell once per hour. The

charging.

 

 

 

battery is fully charged when the cells are gassing

 

 

 

 

freely at low charging rate and less than 0.003

Checking Battery Voltage

 

 

 

 

 

 

change in specific gravity occurs over a three hour

A voltmeter can be used to determine condition of

 

period.

 

 

battery. When engine is off, the voltmeter shows

 

Jump Starting With Auxiliary (Booster) Battery

battery voltage, which should be 12 volts. When

 

 

Jump starting is not recommended. However, if it

engine is running, the voltmeter shows voltage of

 

 

must be done, follow these directions. Both booster

charging circuit which normally is 13 to 14 volts.

 

 

and dis-charged batteries should be treated carefully

A dead battery or one too weak to start the engine

 

 

when using jumper cables. Follow the steps below

may not mean the battery needs to be replaced.

 

EXACTLY, being careful not to cause sparks. Refer

For example, it may mean that the alternator is not

 

to Figure 55.

charging the battery properly. If there is any doubt

 

1. Both batteries must be of the same voltage.

about the cause of the problem, see your dealer.

 

 

2. Position the vehicle with the booster battery

If you need to replace the battery, follow the steps

 

under Cleaning the Battery & Cables in the Regular

 

adjacent to the vehicle with the discharged battery

Maintenance Section.

 

 

 

so that booster cables can be connected easily

 

 

 

 

to the batteries in b th vehicles. Make certain

Charging a Completely Discharged Battery

 

vehicles do n t t uch each other.

1. Be aware of all the safety precautions you should

 

3. Wear safe y glasses and shield eyes and face

observe during the charging operation. If you are

 

from ba er es at all times. Be sure vent caps are

unfamiliar with the use of a battery charger and

 

tight. Pla e damp cloth over vent caps on both

hydrometer, have the battery serviced by y ur

for

 

batteries.

dealer.

 

 

 

4. Connect positive (+) cable to positive post of

2. Add distilled water sufficient to cover the plate (fill

 

ischarged battery (wired to starter or solenoid).

to the proper level near the end of the charge).

 

5. Connect the other end of same cable to same

If the battery is extremely cold, allow it to wa m

 

post marked positive (+) on booster battery.

before adding water because the waterNotlevel will

 

6. Connect the second cable negative (-) to other

rise as it warms. Also, an extremely cold batte y

 

post of booster battery.

will not accept a normal charge until it b

com s

 

7. Make final connection on engine block of stalled

warm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

vehicle away from battery. Do not lean over

3. Always unplug or turn the charger off b

fore

 

 

batteries.

attaching or removing the clamp connections.

 

8. Start the engine of the vehicle with the booster

4. Carefully attach the clamps to the battery in

 

 

battery. Wait a few minutes, then attempt to start

proper polarity (usually red to [+] positive and

 

the engine of the vehicle with the discharged

black to [-] negative).

Reproduction

 

 

 

battery.

5. While charging, periodically measure the

 

9. If the vehicle does not start after cranking for thirty

temperature of the electrolyte. If the temperature

 

seconds, STOP PROCEDURE. More than thirty

exceeds 125° F (51.6° C), or if violent gassing or

 

seconds seldom starts the engine unless some

spewing of electrolyte occurs, the charging rate

 

mechanical adjustment is made.

must be reduced or temporarily halted to prevent

 

10. After starting, allow the engine to return to idle

 

 

 

 

battery damage.

speed. Remove the cable connection at the

 

 

engine or frame. Then remove the other end of

 

the same cable from the booster battery.

 

11. Remove the other cable by disconnecting at the

 

discharged battery first and then disconnect the

 

opposite end from the booster battery.

 

12. Discard the damp cloths that were placed over the

 

battery vent caps.

48

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