battery RAM CHASSIS CAB 2007 Owner's Manual

JUMP-STARTING
WARNING!To prevent personal injury or damage to clothing, do
not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or
fabrics. Do not lean over a battery when connecting
jumper cables or allow cable clamps to touch each
other. Keep open flames or sparks away from battery
vent holes. Always wear eye protection when work-
ing with batteries.
Do not use a booster battery or any other booster
source that has a greater than 12 volt system, i.e. do
not use a 24 volt power source. NOTE: Replacement batteries should both be of equal
size to prevent damage to the vehicles charging system.
Your vehicle is equipped with two 12–volt batteries. If it
becomes necessary to use a booster battery, with jumper
cables, to start a vehicle’s engine because its batteries are
discharged, the following procedure should be followed:
Set the parking brake and place an automatic transmis-
sion in PARK (or NEUTRAL for a manual transmission).
Turn off lights, heater and other electrical loads. Observe
charge indicator (if equipped) in both batteries. If indica-
tor (if equipped) is light or yellow on either battery,
replace that battery.382 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!Use the Jump Start Procedure only when the charge
indicator (if equipped) in both batteries is dark in
the center. Do not attempt jump starting when either
battery charge indicator (if equipped) is bright or
yellow. If charge indicator (if equipped) has a green
dot in the center, failure to start is not due to a
discharged battery and cranking system should be
checked.
1. Attach one jumper cable to the positive terminal of
booster battery and the other end of the same cable to the
positive terminal of the discharged battery. WARNING!Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result. WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 383
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2. Connect one end of the other jumper cable to negative
(-) post of booster battery. Connect the other end of the
jumper cable to a good ground on the engine block of the
vehicle with the discharged battery. Make sure a good
connection is made, free of dirt and grease.
WARNING!• Do not connect the cable to the negative post of
the discharge battery. The resulting electrical
spark could cause the battery to explode.
• During cold weather when temperatures are be-
low freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged
battery may freeze. Do not attempt jump starting
because the battery could rupture or explode. The
battery temperature must be brought up above
freezing point before attempting jump start. 3. Take care that the clamps from one cable do not
inadvertently touch clamps from the other cable. Do not
lean over the battery when making connection. The
negative connection must provide good electrical con-
ductivity and current carrying capacity.
4. After the engine is started or if the engine fails to start,
cables must be disconnected in the following order:
a. Disconnect the negative cable at the engine ground.
b. Disconnect the negative cable at the negative post
on booster battery.
c. Disconnect the cable from the positive post of both
batteries.384 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!Any procedure other than above could result in:
1. Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting
out the battery vent;
2. Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
3. Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
With Portable Starting Unit
There are many types of these units available. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for necessary precautions
and operation. CAUTION!It is very important that the starting unit operating
voltage does not exceed 12 Volts D.C. or damage to
battery, starter motor, alternator, or electrical system
may occur.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the gear
selector rhythmically between DRIVE and REVERSE
(automatic transmissions) and between 1st and RE-
VERSE (manual transmissions), while applying slight
pressure to the accelerator.
In general, the least amount of accelerator pedal pressure
to maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels or racing the engine is most effective. Racing the
engine or spinning the wheels, due to the frustration of WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 385
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▫ Catalytic Converter (Gas Engines) .........413
▫ Intervention Regeneration Strategy – EVIC
Message Process Flow (Catalyst Full Message)
(Diesel Engines Only) ..................415
▫ Emission-Related Components (Gas Engines) . . 418
▫ Maintenance Free Battery (Gas Engines) .....418
▫ Maintenance Free Batteries (Diesel Engines) . . . 419
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance .............420
▫ Power Steering — Fluid Check ............421
▫ Front Suspension Ball Joints ..............422
▫ Steering Linkage — Inspection ............422
▫ Front Prop Shaft Lubrication .............422
▫ Front Axle Universal Drive Joints And Pivot
Bearings ............................423 ▫ Body Lubrication .....................423
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ................424
▫ Windshield Washers ...................424
▫ Exhaust System ......................425
▫ Cooling System .......................426
▫ Fan ...............................432
▫ Charge Air Cooler — Inter-Cooler (Diesel
Engines) ............................432
▫ Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses .......433
▫ Fuel System Connections ................433
▫ Brake System ........................434
▫ Clutch Hydraulic System ................436
▫ Clutch Linkage .......................436390 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Drive Belts (Gas Engines)
Belt tension is controlled by means of an automatic
tensioner. No belt tension adjustments are required.
However, belt and belt tensioner condition should be
inspected at the specified intervals and replaced if re-
quired. See your authorized dealer for service.
At the mileage indicated in the maintenance schedule, all
belts and tensioner should be checked for condition.
Improper belt tension can cause belt slippage and failure.
Belts should be inspected for evidence of cuts, cracks,
glazing or frayed cords and replaced if there is indication
of damage which could result in belt failure. Low gen-
erator belt tension can cause battery failure.
Also check belt routing to make sure there is no interfer-
ence between the belts and other engine components. Drive Belt (Diesel Engines)
Inspection
Check the belt for intersecting cracks.
• Transverse (across the belt width) cracks are accept-
able.
• Longitudinal (direction of belt length) cracks that
intersect with transverse cracks are NOT acceptable.
Replace the belt if it has unacceptable cracks, is frayed or
has pieces of material missing.
The engine speed sensor, located near the damper, should
be inspected for damage if a belt is frayed.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter (Gas Engines)
Under normal driving conditions, replace the air filter at
the intervals shown on Schedule “A”. If, however, you406 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Emission-Related Components (Gas Engines)
Positive Crankcase (PCV) Valve
Proper operation of the crankcase ventilation system
requires that the PCV valve be free of sticking or plug-
ging from deposits. Deposits can accumulate in the PCV
valve and passages with increasing mileage. Have the
PCV valve, hoses, and passages checked for proper
operation at the intervals specified. If the valve is
plugged or sticking, replace with a new valve— do not
attempt to clean the old PCV valve! Check the ventila-
tion hoses for indications of damage, weepage or plug-
ging with deposits. Replace if necessary.
Maintenance Free Battery (Gas Engines)
The top of the maintenance free battery is permanently
sealed. You will never have to add water, nor is periodic
maintenance required. WARNING!• Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can
burn or even blind you. Don’t allow battery fluid
to contact your eyes, skin or clothing. Don’t lean
over a battery when attaching clamps. If acid
splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the area imme-
diately with large amounts of water.
• Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep
flame or sparks away from the battery. Don’t use
a booster battery or any other booster source with
an output greater than 12 volts. Don’t allow cable
clamps to touch each other.
• Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands
after handling.418 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!• It is essential when replacing the cables on the
battery that the positive cable is attached to the
positive post and the negative cable is attached to
the negative post. Battery posts are marked (+)
positive and negative (-) and identified on the
battery case.
• If a “fast charger” is used while battery is in
vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables
before connecting the charger to battery. Do not
use a “fast charger” to provide starting voltage.
Maintenance Free Batteries (Diesel Engines)
The top of the maintenance free batteries are perma-
nently sealed. You will never have to add water, nor is
periodic maintenance required. NOTE: Replacement batteries should both be of equal
capacity to prevent damage to the vehicle’s charging
system.
CAUTION!It is essential when replacing the cables on the
battery that the positive cable is attached to the
positive post and the negative cable is attached to the
negative post. Battery posts are marked (+) positive
and negative (-) and identified on the battery case.
Also, if a “fast charger” is used while battery is in
vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables be-
fore connecting the charger to battery. Do not use a
“fast charger” to provide starting voltage. MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 419
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WARNING!Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories con-
tain lead and lead compounds. Always wash hands
after handling the battery.
Battery Blanket Usage
A battery loses 60% of its cranking power as the battery
temperature decreases to 0°F (-18°). For the same de-
crease in temperature, the engine requires twice as much
power to crank at the same RPM. The use of 120 VAC
powered battery blankets will greatly increase starting
capability at low temperatures. Suitable battery blankets
are available from your authorized Mopar  dealer. Air Conditioner Maintenance
For best possible performance, your air conditioner
should be checked and serviced by an Authorized Dealer
at the start of each warm season. This service should
include cleaning of the condenser fins and a performance
test. Drive belt tension should also be checked at this
time.
NOTE: Refer to Section 3 of the Warranty Information
book for further warranty information.420 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FUSES (INTEGRATED POWER MODULE)
An integrated Power Module is located in the engine
compartment near the battery. This center contains car-
tridge fuses and mini fuses. A description of each fuse
and component may be stamped on the inside cover
otherwise the cavity number of each fuse is stamped on
the inside cover that corresponds to the following chart. Cavity Cartridge
Fuse Mini
Fuse Description
1 20 Amp
Yellow Power Outlet Console
2 20 Amp
Yellow Cabin Compartment
Node (CCN) Door
Locks/Brake Trans-
mission Shift Interlock
(BTSI)
3––
4 15 Amp
Blue Aisin Transmission
Controls (Diesel Only)
5 20 Amp
Yellow Power Sunroof
6 10 Amp
Red VIST Fan/Wastegate
7 15 Amp
Blue Reverse Lockout Sole-
noid Battery (SRT-10
Only)
Integrated Power Module Location MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 457
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