battery capacity CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY 2002 Service Manual

the mounting nuts to a torque of 14 N´m (124 in.
lbs.).
(14) Install the battery tray. Install the two nuts
and one bolt attaching the battery tray to the vehicle.
Tighten the bolt and nuts to a torque of 14 N´m (124
in. lbs.).
(15) If vehicle is equipped with speed control, con-
nect the servo vacuum hose to the vacuum tank on
the battery tray.
(16) Install the battery, clamp and mounting nut.
(17) Install the positive battery cable on the bat-
tery.
(18) Install the negative battery cable on the bat-
tery.
(19) Install the battery thermal guard shield.
CAUTION: Do not reuse the original brake lamp
switch. The switch can only be adjusted once. That
is during initial installation of the switch. If the
switch is not adjusted properly or has been
removed for some service, a new switch must be
installed and adjusted.
(20) Remove and replace the brake lamp switch
with a NEW switch. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR/BRAKE LAMP
SWITCH - REMOVAL), (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR/BRAKE LAMP
SWITCH - INSTALLATION)
(21) Bleed the base brakes as necessary. (Refer to
5 - BRAKES - STANDARD PROCEDURE)
(22) Road test vehicle to ensure proper operation
of the brakes.
PROPORTIONING VALVE
DESCRIPTION - PROPORTIONING VALVE
(HEIGHT SENSING)
NOTE: Only vehicles without antilock brakes (ABS)
have a proportioning valve. Vehicles with ABS uti-
lize electronic brake distribution which is controlled
through the ABS integrated control unit.
Vehicles not equipped with ABS use a height sens-
ing proportioning valve. It is mounted to the body of
the vehicle above the rear axle (Fig. 91). It has an
actuator lever that attaches to the rear axle and
moves with the axle to help the valve sense the vehi-
cle height.
CAUTION: The height sensing proportioning valve
is not adjustable. No attempt should be made to
adjust it. It is replaced as a complete assembly.
CAUTION: The use of after-market load leveling or
load capacity increasing devices on this vehicle are
prohibited. Using air shock absorbers or helper
springs on this vehicle will cause the height sens-
ing proportioning valve to inappropriately reduce
the hydraulic pressure to the rear brakes. This inap-
propriate reduction in hydraulic pressure potentially
could result in increased stopping distance of the
vehicle.
Fig. 90 Vacuum Seal (Typical)
1 - MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY
2 - VACUUM SEAL
Fig. 91 HEIGHT SENSING PROPORTIONING VALVE
1 - PROPORTIONING VALVE
2 - ACTUATOR LEVER
3 - AXLE BRACKET
4 - REAR AXLE
5 - 56 BRAKES - BASERS
POWER BRAKE BOOSTER (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

(4) Inspect the battery thermowrap for tears,
cracks, deformation or other damage. Replace any
battery thermal guard that has been damaged.
(5) Inspect the battery built-in test indicator sight
glass(if equipped) for an indication of the battery con-
dition. If the battery is discharged, charge as
required. Refer to Standard Procedures for the
proper battery built-in indicator test procedures. Also
refer to Standard Procedures for the proper battery
charging procedures.
SPECIFICATIONS
The battery Group Size number, the Cold Cranking
Amperage (CCA) rating, and the Reserve Capacity
(RC) rating or Ampere-Hours (AH) rating can be
found on the original equipment battery label. Be
certain that a replacement battery has the correct
Group Size number, as well as CCA, and RC or AH
ratings that equal or exceed the original equipment
specification for the vehicle being serviced. Battery
sizes and ratings are discussed in more detail below.
²Group Size- The outside dimensions and ter-
minal placement of the battery conform to standards
established by the Battery Council International
(BCI). Each battery is assigned a BCI Group Size
number to help identify a correctly-sized replace-
ment.
²Cold Cranking Amperage- The Cold Crank-
ing Amperage (CCA) rating specifies how much cur-
rent (in amperes) the battery can deliver for thirty
seconds at -18É C (0É F). Terminal voltage must not
fall below 7.2 volts during or after the thirty second
discharge period. The CCA required is generally
higher as engine displacement increases, depending
also upon the starter current draw requirements.
²Reserve Capacity- The Reserve Capacity (RC)
rating specifies the time (in minutes) it takes for bat-
tery terminal voltage to fall below 10.5 volts, at a
discharge rate of 25 amperes. RC is determined with
the battery fully-charged at 26.7É C (80É F). This rat-
ing estimates how long the battery might last after a
charging system failure, under minimum electrical
load.
²Ampere-Hours- The Ampere-Hours (AH) rat-
ing specifies the current (in amperes) that a battery
can deliver steadily for twenty hours, with the volt-
age in the battery not falling below 10.5 volts. This
rating is also sometimes identified as the twenty-
hour discharge rating.
BATTERY CLASSIFICATIONS & RATINGS
Part NumberBCI Group Size
ClassificationCold Cranking
AmperageReserve
CapacityAmpere -
HoursLoad Test
Amperage
4686158AB 34 500 110 Minutes 60 250
4727159AB 34 600 120 Minutes 66 300
4727242AB DIN H6 600 120 Minutes 66 300
5033235AA 34 700 95 Minutes 48 350
Fig. 3 Clean Battery Terminal Post - Typical
1 - TERMINAL BRUSH
2 - BATTERY CABLE
3 - BATTERY
8F - 6 BATTERY SYSTEMRS
BATTERY SYSTEM (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

electrolyte can be caused by an overcharging condi-
tion. Be certain to diagnose the charging system after
replenishing the water in the battery for a low elec-
trolyte condition and before returning the vehicle to
service. Refer toCharging Systemfor additional
information.
The battery Group Size number, the Cold Cranking
Amperage (CCA) rating, and the Reserve Capacity
(RC) rating or Ampere-Hours (AH) rating can be
found on the original equipment battery label. Be
certain that a replacement battery has the correct
Group Size number, as well as CCA, and RC or AH
ratings that equal or exceed the original equipment
specification for the vehicle being serviced. Refer to
Battery Specificationsin this group for the loca-
tion of the proper factory-installed battery specifica-
tions.
OPERATION
The battery is designed to store electrical energy in
a chemical form. When an electrical load is applied to
the terminals of the battery, an electrochemical reac-
tion occurs. This reaction causes the battery to dis-
charge electrical current from its terminals. As the
battery discharges, a gradual chemical change takes
place within each cell. The sulfuric acid in the elec-
trolyte combines with the plate materials, causing
both plates to slowly change to lead sulfate. At the
same time, oxygen from the positive plate material
combines with hydrogen from the sulfuric acid, caus-
ing the electrolyte to become mainly water. The
chemical changes within the battery are caused by
the movement of excess or free electrons between the
positive and negative plate groups. This movement of
electrons produces a flow of electrical current
through the load device attached to the battery ter-
minals.
As the plate materials become more similar chem-
ically, and the electrolyte becomes less acid, the volt-
age potential of each cell is reduced. However, by
charging the battery with a voltage higher than that
of the battery itself, the battery discharging process
is reversed. Charging the battery gradually changes
the sulfated lead plates back into sponge lead and
lead dioxide, and the water back into sulfuric acid.
This action restores the difference in the electron
charges deposited on the plates, and the voltage
potential of the battery cells. For a battery to remain
useful, it must be able to produce high-amperage cur-
rent over an extended period. A battery must also be
able to accept a charge, so that its voltage potential
may be restored.
The battery is vented to release excess hydrogen
gas that is created when the battery is being charged
or discharged. However, even with these vents,
hydrogen gas can collect in or around the battery. Ifhydrogen gas is exposed to flame or sparks, it may
ignite. If the electrolyte level is low, the battery may
arc internally and explode. If the battery is equipped
with removable cell caps, add distilled water when-
ever the electrolyte level is below the top of the
plates. If the battery cell caps cannot be removed, the
battery must be replaced if the electrolyte level
becomes low.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - BATTERY
The battery must be completely charged and the
terminals should be properly cleaned and inspected
before diagnostic procedures are performed. Refer to
Battery System Cleaning for the proper cleaning pro-
cedures, and Battery System Inspection for the
proper battery inspection procedures. Refer to Stan-
dard Procedures for the proper battery charging pro-
cedures.
MICRO 420 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TESTER
The Micro420 automotive battery tester is designed
to help the dealership technicians diagnose the cause
of a defective battery. Follow the instruction manual
supplied with the tester to properly diagnose a vehi-
cle. If the instruction manual is not available refer to
the standard procedure in this section, which
includes the directions for using the Micro420 electri-
cal system tester.
WARNING: IF THE BATTERY SHOWS SIGNS OF
FREEZING, LEAKING OR LOOSE POSTS, DO NOT
TEST, ASSIST-BOOST, OR CHARGE. THE BATTERY
MAY ARC INTERNALLY AND EXPLODE. PERSONAL
INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE MAY RESULT.
WARNING: EXPLOSIVE HYDROGEN GAS FORMS IN
AND AROUND THE BATTERY. DO NOT SMOKE,
USE FLAME, OR CREATE SPARKS NEAR THE BAT-
TERY. PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE DAM-
AGE MAY RESULT.
WARNING: THE BATTERY CONTAINS SULFURIC
ACID, WHICH IS POISONOUS AND CAUSTIC. AVOID
CONTACT WITH THE SKIN, EYES, OR CLOTHING.
IN THE EVENT OF CONTACT, FLUSH WITH WATER
AND CALL A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY. KEEP OUT
OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
A battery that will not accept a charge is faulty,
and must be replaced. Further testing is not
required. A fully-charged battery must be load tested
to determine its cranking capacity. A battery that is
fully-charged, but does not pass the load test, is
faulty and must be replaced.
RSBATTERY SYSTEM8F-9
BATTERY (Continued)
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NOTE: Completely discharged batteries may take
several hours to accept a charge. Refer to Standard
Procedures for the proper battery charging proce-
dures.
STANDARD PROCEDURE
STANDARD PROCEDURE - SPIRAL PLATE
BATTERY CHARGING
Vehicles equipped with a diesel engine utilize a
unique spiral plate battery. This battery has a maxi-
mum charging voltage that must be used in order to
restore the battery to its full potential, failure to use
the following spiral plate battery charging procedure
could result in damage to the battery or personal
injury.
Battery charging is the means by which the bat-
tery can be restored to its full voltage potential. A
battery is fully-charged when:
²Micro 420 electrical system tester indicates bat-
tery is OK.
²Open-circuit voltage of the battery is 12.65 volts
or above.
²Battery passes Load Test multiple times.
WARNING: IF THE BATTERY SHOWS SIGNS OF
FREEZING, LEAKING, LOOSE POSTS OR LOW
ELECTROLYTE LEVEL, DO NOT TEST, ASSIST-
BOOST, OR CHARGE. THE BATTERY MAY ARC
INTERNALLY AND EXPLODE. PERSONAL INJURY
AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE MAY RESULT.
CAUTION: Always disconnect and isolate the bat-
tery negative cable before charging a battery. Do
not exceed 14.4 volts while charging a battery.
CAUTION: The battery should not be hot to the
touch. If the battery feels hot to the touch, turn off
the charger and let the battery cool before continu-
ing the charging operation. Damage to the battery
may result.
After the battery has been charged to 12.6 volts or
greater, perform a load test to determine the battery
cranking capacity. Refer to Standard Procedures for
the proper battery load test procedures. If the battery
will endure a load test, return the battery to service.
If the battery will not endure a load test, it is faulty
and must be replaced.
Clean and inspect the battery hold downs, tray,
terminals, posts, and top before completing battery
service. Refer to Battery System Cleaning for the
proper battery system cleaning procedures, and Bat-tery System Inspection for the proper battery system
inspection procedures.
CHARGING A COMPLETELY DISCHARGED
BATTERY ± SPIRAL PLATE BATTERY
The following procedure should be used to recharge
a completely discharged battery. Unless this proce-
dure is properly followed, a good battery may be
needlessly replaced.
(1) Measure the voltage at the battery posts with a
voltmeter, accurate to 1/10 (0.10) volt (Fig. 7). If the
reading is below ten volts, the battery charging cur-
rent will be low. It could take some time before the
battery accepts a current greater than a few milliam-
peres. Such low current may not be detectable on the
ammeters built into many battery chargers.
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Connect the battery charger leads. Some bat-
tery chargers are equipped with polarity-sensing cir-
cuitry. This circuitry protects the battery charger and
the battery from being damaged if they are improp-
erly connected. If the battery state-of-charge is too
low for the polarity-sensing circuitry to detect, the
battery charger will not operate. This makes it
appear that the battery will not accept charging cur-
rent. See the instructions provided by the manufac-
turer of the battery charger for details on how to
bypass the polarity-sensing circuitry.
(3) Battery chargers vary in the amount of voltage
and current they provide. The amount of time
required for a battery to accept measurable charging
current at various voltages is shown in the Charge
Rate Table. If the charging current is still not mea-
surable at the end of the charging time, the battery
is faulty and must be replaced. If the charging cur-
rent is measurable during the charging time, the bat-
tery may be good and the charging should be
completed in the normal manner.
Fig. 7 Voltmeter - Typical
8F - 10 BATTERY SYSTEMRS
BATTERY (Continued)
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CHARGE RATE TABLE
Voltage Hours
14.4 volts maximum up to 4 hours
13.0 to 14 volts up to 8 hours
12.9 volts or less up to 16 hours
CHARGING TIME REQUIRED
The time required to charge a battery will vary,
depending upon the following factors:
²Battery Capacity- A completely discharged
heavy-duty battery requires twice the charging time
of a small capacity battery.
²Temperature- A longer time will be needed to
charge a battery at -18É C (0É F) than at 27É C (80É
F). When a fast battery charger is connected to a cold
battery, the current accepted by the battery will be
very low at first. As the battery warms, it will accept
a higher charging current rate (amperage).
²Charger Capacity- A battery charger that
supplies only five amperes will require a longer
charging time. A battery charger that supplies eight
amperes will require a shorter charging time.
²State-Of-Charge- A completely discharged bat-
tery requires more charging time than a partially
discharged battery. Electrolyte is nearly pure water
in a completely discharged battery. At first, the
charging current (amperage) will be low. As the bat-
tery charges, the specific gravity of the electrolyte
will gradually rise.
The Battery Charging Time Table gives an indica-
tion of the time required to charge a typical battery
at room temperature based upon the battery state-of-
charge and the charger capacity.
BATTERY CHARGING TIME TABLE
Charging
Amperage5 Amps 8 Amps
Open Circuit
VoltageHours Charging @ 21É
C (70É F)
12.25 to 12.49 6 hours 3 hours
12.00 to 12.24 10 hours 5 hours
10.00 to 11.99 14 hours 7 hours
Below 10.00 18 hours 9 hours
STANDARD PROCEDURE - CONVENTIONAL
BATTERY CHARGING
Vehicles equipped with a diesel engine utilize a
unique spiral plate battery. This battery has a maxi-
mum charging voltage that must be used in order to
restore the battery to its full potential, failure to use
the spiral plate battery charging procedure could
result in damage to the battery or personal injury.Battery charging is the means by which the bat-
tery can be restored to its full voltage potential. A
battery is fully-charged when:
²Micro 420 electrical system tester indicates bat-
tery is OK.
²Three hydrometer tests, taken at one-hour inter-
vals, indicate no increase in the temperature-cor-
rected specific gravity of the battery electrolyte.
²Open-circuit voltage of the battery is 12.64 volts
or above.
WARNING: IF THE BATTERY SHOWS SIGNS OF
FREEZING, LEAKING, LOOSE POSTS, DO NOT
TEST, ASSIST-BOOST, OR CHARGE. THE BATTERY
MAY ARC INTERNALLY AND EXPLODE. PERSONAL
INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE MAY RESULT.
WARNING: EXPLOSIVE HYDROGEN GAS FORMS IN
AND AROUND THE BATTERY. DO NOT SMOKE,
USE FLAME, OR CREATE SPARKS NEAR THE BAT-
TERY. PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE DAM-
AGE MAY RESULT.
WARNING: THE BATTERY CONTAINS SULFURIC
ACID, WHICH IS POISONOUS AND CAUSTIC. AVOID
CONTACT WITH THE SKIN, EYES, OR CLOTHING.
IN THE EVENT OF CONTACT, FLUSH WITH WATER
AND CALL A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY. KEEP OUT
OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
WARNING: IF THE BATTERY IS EQUIPPED WITH
REMOVABLE CELL CAPS, BE CERTAIN THAT EACH
OF THE CELL CAPS IS IN PLACE AND TIGHT
BEFORE THE BATTERY IS RETURNED TO SER-
VICE. PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE DAM-
AGE MAY RESULT FROM LOOSE OR MISSING
CELL CAPS.
CAUTION: Always disconnect and isolate the bat-
tery negative cable before charging a battery. Do
not exceed sixteen volts while charging a battery.
Damage to the vehicle electrical system compo-
nents may result.
CAUTION: Battery electrolyte will bubble inside the
battery case during normal battery charging. Elec-
trolyte boiling or being discharged from the battery
vents indicates a battery overcharging condition.
Immediately reduce the charging rate or turn off the
charger to evaluate the battery condition. Damage
to the battery may result from overcharging.
RSBATTERY SYSTEM8F-11
BATTERY (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

CAUTION: The battery should not be hot to the
touch. If the battery feels hot to the touch, turn off
the charger and let the battery cool before continu-
ing the charging operation. Damage to the battery
may result.
After the battery has been charged to 12.4 volts or
greater, retest the battery with the micro 420 tester
or perform a load test to determine the battery
cranking capacity. Refer to Standard Procedures for
the proper battery load test procedures. If the battery
will endure a load test, return the battery to service.
If the battery will not endure a load test, it is faulty
and must be replaced.
Clean and inspect the battery hold downs, tray,
terminals, posts, and top before completing battery
service. Refer to Battery System Cleaning for the
proper battery system cleaning procedures, and Bat-
tery System Inspection for the proper battery system
inspection procedures.
CHARGING A COMPLETELY DISCHARGED
BATTERY
The following procedure should be used to recharge
a completely discharged battery. Unless this proce-
dure is properly followed, a good battery may be
needlessly replaced.
(1) Measure the voltage at the battery posts with a
voltmeter, accurate to 1/10 (0.10) volt (Fig. 8). If the
reading is below ten volts, the battery charging cur-
rent will be low. It could take some time before the
battery accepts a current greater than a few milliam-
peres. Such low current may not be detectable on the
ammeters built into many battery chargers.
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Connect the battery charger leads. Some bat-
tery chargers are equipped with polarity-sensing cir-
cuitry. This circuitry protects the battery charger and
the battery from being damaged if they are improp-
erly connected. If the battery state-of-charge is toolow for the polarity-sensing circuitry to detect, the
battery charger will not operate. This makes it
appear that the battery will not accept charging cur-
rent. See the instructions provided by the manufac-
turer of the battery charger for details on how to
bypass the polarity-sensing circuitry.
(3) Battery chargers vary in the amount of voltage
and current they provide. The amount of time
required for a battery to accept measurable charging
current at various voltages is shown in the Charge
Rate Table. If the charging current is still not mea-
surable at the end of the charging time, the battery
is faulty and must be replaced. If the charging cur-
rent is measurable during the charging time, the bat-
tery may be good and the charging should be
completed in the normal manner.
CHARGE RATE TABLE
Voltage Hours
16.0 volts maximum up to 10 min.
14.0 to 15.9 volts up to 20 min.
13.9 volts or less up to 30 min.
CHARGING TIME REQUIRED
The time required to charge a battery will vary,
depending upon the following factors:
²Battery Capacity- A completely discharged
heavy-duty battery requires twice the charging time
of a small capacity battery.
²Temperature- A longer time will be needed to
charge a battery at -18É C (0É F) than at 27É C (80É
F). When a fast battery charger is connected to a cold
battery, the current accepted by the battery will be
very low at first. As the battery warms, it will accept
a higher charging current rate (amperage).
²Charger Capacity- A battery charger that
supplies only five amperes will require a longer
charging time. A battery charger that supplies
twenty amperes or more will require a shorter charg-
ing time.
²State-Of-Charge- A completely discharged bat-
tery requires more charging time than a partially
discharged battery. Electrolyte is nearly pure water
in a completely discharged battery. At first, the
charging current (amperage) will be low. As the bat-
tery charges, the specific gravity of the electrolyte
will gradually rise.
The Conventional Battery Charging Time Table
gives an indication of the time required to charge a
typical battery at room temperature based upon the
battery state-of-charge and the charger capacity.
Fig. 8 Voltmeter - Typical
8F - 12 BATTERY SYSTEMRS
BATTERY (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

CONVENTIONAL BATTERY CHARGING TIME TABLE
Charging
Amperage5 Amps10
Amps20 Amps
Open Circuit
VoltageHours Charging @ 21É C (70É
F)
12.25 to 12.49 6 hours 3 hours 1.5
hours
12.00 to 12.24 10 hours 5 hours 2.5
hours
10.00 to 11.99 14 hours 7 hours 3.5
hours
Below 10.00 18 hours 9 hours 4.5
hours
STANDARD PROCEDURE - OPEN-CIRCUIT
VOLTAGE TEST
A battery open-circuit voltage (no load) test will
show the approximate state-of-charge of a battery.
This test can be used if no other battery tester is
available.
Before proceeding with this test, completely charge
the battery. Refer to Standard Procedures for the
proper battery charging procedures.
(1) Before measuring the open-circuit voltage, the
surface charge must be removed from the battery.
Turn on the headlamps for fifteen seconds, then
allow up to five minutes for the battery voltage to
stabilize.
(2) Disconnect and isolate both battery cables, neg-
ative cable first.
(3) Using a voltmeter connected to the battery
posts (see the instructions provided by the manufac-
turer of the voltmeter), measure the open-circuit volt-
age (Fig. 9).
See the Open-Circuit Voltage Table. This voltage
reading will indicate the battery state-of-charge, but
will not reveal its cranking capacity. If a battery has
an open-circuit voltage reading of 12.4 volts orgreater, it may be load tested to reveal its cranking
capacity. Refer to Standard Procedures for the proper
battery load test procedures.
OPEN CIRCUIT VOLTAGE TABLE
Open Circuit Voltage Charge Percentage
11.7 volts or less 0%
12.0 volts 25%
12.2 volts 50%
12.45 volts 75%
12.65 volts or more 100%
STANDARD PROCEDURE - IGNITION-OFF
DRAW TEST
The term Ignition-Off Draw (IOD) identifies a nor-
mal condition where power is being drained from the
battery with the ignition switch in the Off position. A
normal vehicle electrical system will draw from five
to thirty-five milliamperes (0.015 to 0.025 ampere)
with the ignition switch in the Off position, and all
non-ignition controlled circuits in proper working
order. Up to twenty-five milliamperes are needed to
enable the memory functions for the Powertrain Con-
trol Module (PCM), digital clock, electronically tuned
radio, and other modules which may vary with the
vehicle equipment.
A vehicle that has not been operated for approxi-
mately twenty-one days, may discharge the battery
to an inadequate level. When a vehicle will not be
used for twenty-one days or more (stored), remove
the IOD fuse from the Integrated Power Module
(IPM). This will reduce battery discharging.
Excessive IOD can be caused by:
²Electrical items left on.
²Faulty or improperly adjusted switches.
²Faulty or shorted electronic modules and compo-
nents.
²An internally shorted generator.
²Intermittent shorts in the wiring.
If the IOD is over twenty-five milliamperes, the
problem must be found and corrected before replac-
ing a battery. In most cases, the battery can be
charged and returned to service after the excessive
IOD condition has been corrected.
(1) Verify that all electrical accessories are off.
Turn off all lamps, remove the ignition key, and close
all doors. If the vehicle is equipped with an illumi-
nated entry system or an electronically tuned radio,
allow the electronic timer function of these systems
to automatically shut off (time out). This may take
up to three minutes.
(2) Disconnect the battery negative cable.
(3) Set an electronic digital multi-meter to its
highest amperage scale. Connect the multi-meter
Fig. 9 Testing Open-Circuit Voltage - Typical
RSBATTERY SYSTEM8F-13
BATTERY (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

(1) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position. Be
certain that all electrical accessories are turned off.
(2) Remove the nut with washer that secures the
battery hold down bracket to the battery tray and
support unit.
(3) Remove the battery hold down bracket from
the battery tray and support unit.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the battery hold down bracket in the
battery tray and support unit.
(2) Install the nut with washer that secures the
battery hold down bracket to the battery tray and
support unit. Torque to 20 N´m (180 in. lbs.).
BATTERY CABLES
DESCRIPTION
The battery cables are large gauge, stranded cop-
per wires sheathed within a heavy plastic or syn-
thetic rubber insulating jacket. The wire used in the
battery cables combines excellent flexibility and reli-
ability with high electrical current carrying capacity.
Refer toWiring Diagramsin the index of this ser-
vice manual for the location of the proper battery
cable wire gauge information.
A clamping type female battery terminal made of
stamped metal is attached to one end of the battery
cable wire. A square headed pinch-bolt and hex nut
are installed at the open end of the female battery
terminal clamp. Large eyelet type terminals are
crimped onto the opposite end of the battery cable
wire and then solder-dipped. The battery positive
cable wires have a red insulating jacket to provide
visual identification and feature a larger female bat-
tery terminal clamp to allow connection to the larger
battery positive terminal post. The battery negative
cable wires have a black insulating jacket and a
smaller female battery terminal clamp.
The battery cables cannot be repaired and, if dam-
aged or faulty they must be replaced. Both the bat-
tery positive and negative cables are available for
service replacement only as a unit with the battery
wire harness, which may include portions of the wir-
ing circuits for the generator and other components
on some models. Refer toWiring Diagramsin the
index of this service manual for the location of more
information on the various wiring circuits included in
the battery wire harness for the vehicle being ser-
viced.
OPERATION
The battery cables connect the battery terminal
posts to the vehicle electrical system. These cables
also provide a path back to the battery for electricalcurrent generated by the charging system for restor-
ing the voltage potential of the battery. The female
battery terminal clamps on the ends of the battery
cable wires provide a strong and reliable connection
of the battery cable to the battery terminal posts.
The terminal pinch bolts allow the female terminal
clamps to be tightened around the male terminal
posts on the top of the battery. The eyelet terminals
secured to the opposite ends of the battery cable
wires from the female battery terminal clamps pro-
vide secure and reliable connection of the battery
cables to the vehicle electrical system.
The battery positive cable terminal clamp is
attached to the ends of two wires. One wire has an
eyelet terminal that connects the battery positive
cable to the B(+) terminal stud of the Integrated
Power Module (IPM), and the other wire has an eye-
let terminal that connects the battery positive cable
to the B(+) terminal stud of the engine starter motor
solenoid. The battery negative cable terminal clamp
is also attached to the ends of two wires. One wire
has an eyelet terminal that connects the battery neg-
ative cable to the vehicle powertrain through a stud
on the left side of the engine cylinder block. The
other wire has an eyelet terminal that connects the
battery negative cable to the vehicle body through a
ground screw on the left front fender inner shield,
near the battery.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - BATTERY CABLE
A voltage drop test will determine if there is exces-
sive resistance in the battery cable terminal connec-
tions or the battery cable. If excessive resistance is
found in the battery cable connections, the connec-
tion point should be disassembled, cleaned of all cor-
rosion or foreign material, then reassembled.
Following reassembly, check the voltage drop for the
battery cable connection and the battery cable again
to confirm repair.
When performing the voltage drop test, it is impor-
tant to remember that the voltage drop is giving an
indication of the resistance between the two points at
which the voltmeter probes are attached.EXAM-
PLE:When testing the resistance of the battery pos-
itive cable, touch the voltmeter leads to the battery
positive cable terminal clamp and to the battery pos-
itive cable eyelet terminal at the starter solenoid
B(+) terminal stud. If you probe the battery positive
terminal post and the battery positive cable eyelet
terminal at the starter solenoid B(+) terminal stud,
you are reading the combined voltage drop in the
battery positive cable terminal clamp-to-terminal
post connection and the battery positive cable.
8F - 16 BATTERY SYSTEMRS
BATTERY HOLDDOWN (Continued)
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STARTING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
STARTING
DESCRIPTION.........................28
OPERATION...........................28
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STARTING
SYSTEM TEST.......................28
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CONTROL
CIRCUIT TEST........................31
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - FEED CIRCUIT
RESISTANCE TEST....................33
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - FEED CIRCUIT
TEST...............................33SPECIFICATIONS
STARTER ...........................34
Torques.............................34
STARTER MOTOR
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - 2.4L......................35
REMOVAL - 3.3/3.8L...................36
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - 2.4L..................36
INSTALLATION - 3.3/3.8L................36
STARTING
DESCRIPTION
The starting system has (Fig. 1):
²Ignition switch
²Starter relay
²Transmission Range Sensor or Park/Neutral
Switch
²Wiring harness
²Battery
²Starter motor with an integral solenoid
²Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
OPERATION
These components form two separate circuits. A
high amperage circuit that feeds the starter motor up
to 300+ amps, and a control circuit that operates on
less than 20 amps.
The PCM controls a double start over-ride safety
that does not allow the starter to be engaged if the
engine is already running.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STARTING
SYSTEM TEST
For circuit descriptions and diagrams, refer to the
Wiring Diagrams.WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, REFER TO THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYS-
TEMS BEFORE ATTEMPTING STEERING WHEEL,
STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL
COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE
TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD
RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
INSPECTION
Before removing any unit from the starting system
for repair or diagnosis, perform the following inspec-
tions:
²Battery- Visually inspect the battery for indi-
cations of physical damage and loose or corroded
cable connections. Determine the state-of-charge and
cranking capacity of the battery. Charge or replace
the battery, if required. Refer to the Battery section
for more information.
²Ignition Switch- Visually inspect the ignition
switch for indications of physical damage and loose
or corroded wire harness connections.
²Transmission Range Sensor- Visually inspect
the transmission range sensor for indications of phys-
ical damage and loose or corroded wire harness con-
nections.
²Starter Relay- Visually inspect the starter
relay for indications of physical damage and loose or
corroded wire harness connections.
8F - 28 STARTINGRS
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(4) Clean the battery thermowrap with a sodium
bicarbonate (baking soda) and warm water cleaning
solution using a soft bristle parts cleaning brush to
remove any acid film.
(5) Clean any corrosion from the battery terminal
posts with a wire brush or a post and terminal
cleaner, and a sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and
warm water cleaning solution (Fig. 3).
INSPECTION
The following information details the recommended
inspection procedures for the battery and related
components. In addition to the maintenance sched-
ules found in this service manual and the owner's
manual, it is recommended that these procedures be
performed any time the battery or related compo-
nents must be removed for vehicle service.
(1) Inspect the battery cable terminal clamps for
damage. Replace any battery cable that has a dam-
aged or deformed terminal clamp.
(2) Inspect the battery tray and battery holddown
hardware for damage. Replace any damaged parts.
(3) Slide the thermowrap off of the battery case.
Inspect the battery case for cracks or other damage
that could result in electrolyte leaks. Also, check thebattery terminal posts for looseness. Batteries with
damaged cases or loose terminal posts must be
replaced.
(4) Inspect the battery thermowrap for tears,
cracks, deformation or other damage. Replace any
battery thermal guard that has been damaged.
(5) Inspect the battery built-in test indicator sight
glass(if equipped) for an indication of the battery con-
dition. If the battery is discharged, charge as
required. Refer to Standard Procedures for the
proper battery built-in indicator test procedures. Also
refer to Standard Procedures for the proper battery
charging procedures.
SPECIFICATIONS
The battery Group Size number, the Cold Cranking
Amperage (CCA) rating, and the Reserve Capacity
(RC) rating or Ampere-Hours (AH) rating can be
found on the original equipment battery label. Be
certain that a replacement battery has the correct
Group Size number, as well as CCA, and RC or AH
ratings that equal or exceed the original equipment
specification for the vehicle being serviced. Battery
sizes and ratings are discussed in more detail below.
²Group Size- The outside dimensions and ter-
minal placement of the battery conform to standards
established by the Battery Council International
(BCI). Each battery is assigned a BCI Group Size
number to help identify a correctly-sized replace-
ment.
²Cold Cranking Amperage- The Cold Crank-
ing Amperage (CCA) rating specifies how much cur-
rent (in amperes) the battery can deliver for thirty
seconds at -18É C (0É F). Terminal voltage must not
fall below 7.2 volts during or after the thirty second
discharge period. The CCA required is generally
higher as engine displacement increases, depending
also upon the starter current draw requirements.
²Reserve Capacity- The Reserve Capacity (RC)
rating specifies the time (in minutes) it takes for bat-
tery terminal voltage to fall below 10.5 volts, at a
discharge rate of 25 amperes. RC is determined with
the battery fully-charged at 26.7É C (80É F). This rat-
ing estimates how long the battery might last after a
charging system failure, under minimum electrical
load.
²Ampere-Hours- The Ampere-Hours (AH) rat-
ing specifies the current (in amperes) that a battery
can deliver steadily for twenty hours, with the volt-
age in the battery not falling below 10.5 volts. This
rating is also sometimes identified as the twenty-
hour discharge rating.
Fig. 3 Clean Battery Terminal Post - Typical
1 - TERMINAL BRUSH
2 - BATTERY CABLE
3 - BATTERY
8Fa - 6 BATTERY SYSTEMRG
BATTERY SYSTEM (Continued)
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