Battery System: Overview Chrysler Crossfire I

DESCRIPTION

A single 12-volt battery is standard factory-installed equipment on this model. All of the components of the battery system are located within the engine compartment of the vehicle. The battery system for this vehicle covers the following related components, which are covered in further detail later in this information

1. Battery - The storage battery provides a reliable means of storing a renewable source of electrical energy within the vehicle.
2. Battery Cables - The battery cables connect the battery terminal posts to the vehicle electrical system.
3. Battery Hold-down - The battery hold-down hardware secures the battery in the battery tray in the engine compartment.
4. Battery Tray - The battery tray provides a secure mounting location in the vehicle for the battery and an anchor point for the battery hold-down hardware.

For battery system maintenance schedules and jump starting procedure, see the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box. Optionally, refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE for the recommended battery maintenance schedules and for the proper battery jump starting procedure. While battery charging can be considered a maintenance procedure, the battery charging procedures and related information are located later in this information . This was done because the battery must be fully charged before any battery system diagnosis or testing procedures can be performed.

OPERATION

The battery system is designed to provide a safe, efficient, reliable and mobile means of delivering and storing electrical energy. This electrical energy is required to operate the engine starting system, as well as to operate many of the other vehicle accessory systems for limited durations while the engine and/or the charging system are not operating. The battery system is also designed to provide a reserve of electrical energy to supplement the charging system for short durations while the engine is running and the electrical current demands of the vehicle exceed the output of the charging system. In addition to delivering and storing electrical energy for the vehicle, the battery system serves as a capacitor and voltage stabilizer for the vehicle electrical system. It absorbs most abnormal or transient voltages caused by the switching of any of the electrical components or circuits in the vehicle.

The battery, starting, and charging systems in the vehicle operate with one another and must be tested as a complete system. In order for the engine to start and the battery to maintain its charge properly, all of the components that are used in these systems must perform within specifications. It is important that the battery, starting, and charging systems be thoroughly tested and inspected any time a battery needs to be charged or replaced. The cause of abnormal battery discharge, overcharging or early battery failure must be diagnosed and corrected before a battery is replaced and before a vehicle is returned to service. The service information for these systems has been separated within this information to make it easier to locate the specific information you are seeking. However, when attempting to diagnose any of these systems, it is important that you keep their interdependency in mind.

The diagnostic procedures used for the battery, starting, and charging systems include the most basic conventional diagnostic methods, to the more sophisticated On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) built into the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). Use of an induction-type milliampere ammeter, a volt/ohmmeter, a battery charger, a carbon pile rheostat (load tester) and a 12-volt test lamp may be required. All OBD-sensed systems are monitored by the PCM. Each monitored circuit is assigned a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC). The PCM will store a DTC in electronic memory for any failure it detects. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/CHARGING - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING) for the proper charging system on-board diagnostic test procedures.

Scheme 7

The Micro 420 automotive battery tester is designed to help dealership technicians diagnose a defective battery. Follow the instruction manual supplied with the tester to properly diagnose a vehicle. If the instruction manual is not available, refer to the STANDARD PROCEDURE , which includes the directions for using the Micro 420 electrical system tester.

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 reaction occurs. This reaction causes the battery to discharge electrical current from its terminals. As the battery discharges, a gradual chemical change takes place within each cell. The sulfuric acid in the electrolyte 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, causing 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 terminals.

As the plate materials become more similar chemically, and the electrolyte becomes less acid, the voltage 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 current 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. If hydrogen 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 whenever 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.

The battery must be completely charged and the terminals should be properly cleaned and inspected before diagnostic procedures are performed. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM - CLEANING) for the proper cleaning procedures and (Refer to ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM - INSPECTION) for the proper battery inspection procedures. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM/BATTERY - STANDARD PROCEDURE) for the proper battery charging procedures.

The battery cables are large gauge, stranded copper wires sheathed within a heavy plastic or synthetic rubber insulating jacket. The wire used in the battery cables combines excellent flexibility and reliability with high electrical current carrying capacity. Refer to the appropriate wiring information for battery cable wire gauge information.

A clamping type female battery terminal made of soft lead is die cast onto 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 has a larger female battery terminal clamp to allow connection to the larger battery positive terminal post. The battery negative cable has a smaller female battery terminal clamp.

The battery cables cannot be repaired and, if damaged or faulty they must be replaced. Both the battery positive and negative cables are available for service replacement only as a unit with the battery wire harness, which may include portions of the wiring circuits for the generator and other components. Refer to appropriate wiring information for more information on the various wiring circuits included in the battery wire harness for the vehicle being serviced.

The battery cables connect the battery terminal posts to the vehicle electrical system. These cables also provide a path back to the battery for electrical current generated by the charging system for restoring 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 provide secure and reliable connection of the battery cables to the vehicle electrical system.

The battery positive cable terminal clamp is die cast onto the ends of two wires. One wire has an eyelet terminal that connects the battery positive cable to the B(+) terminal stud of the Engine Fuse Block, and the other wire has an eyelet 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 die cast onto the end of one wire. The wire has an eyelet terminal that connects the battery negative cable to the vehicle body through a ground bolt on the right front fender inner shield, near the battery.

The battery tray provides a secure mounting location and supports the battery. The battery tray also provides the anchor points for the battery hold-down hardware. The battery tray and the battery hold-down hardware combine to secure and stabilize the battery in the engine compartment, which prevents battery movement during vehicle operation. Unrestrained battery movement during vehicle operation could result in damage to the vehicle, the battery, or both.

Scheme 8

1. Remove the battery. «(Refer to ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM/BATTERY - REMOVAL)»(ref-250654-S00588166142007031500000) .
2. Remove the battery tray (1) retaining bolts (2).
3. Remove the battery tray (1).