BATTERY
The sealed battery is standard on all cars. There are no vent plugs in cover. The battery is completely sealed, except for two small vent holes in sides. These vent holes allow small amounts of gas produced in battery to escape. The battery has the following advantages over conventional batteries
- No water addition for life of battery.
- Overcharge Protection: If too much voltage is applied to battery, it will not accept it. In a conventional battery, excess voltage will still try to charge battery, leading to gassing, which causes liquid loss.
- Not as liable to self-discharge as compared to a conventional battery. This is particularly important when a battery is left standing for long periods of time.
- More power available in a lighter and smaller case.
The battery has three major functions in electrical system. First, battery provides a source of energy for cranking engine. Second, battery acts as a voltage stabilizer for electrical system. Finally, battery can, for a limited time, provide energy when electrical demand exceeds output of generator.
RATINGS
A battery has two ratings: (1) a reserve capacity rating designated at 27° C (80° F), which is time a fully charged battery will provide 25 amperes current flow at or above 10.5 volts; and (2) a cold cranking amp rating determined under testing at -18° C (0° F), which indicates cranking load capacity.
COLD CRANKING AMPERAGE
The cold cranking amperage test is expressed at a battery temperature of -18° C (0° F). The current rating is minimum amperage. This must be maintained by battery for 30 seconds at specified temperature, while meeting a minimum voltage requirement of 7.2 volts. This rating is a measure of cold cranking capacity.
The battery is not designed to last indefinitely. However, with proper care, battery will provide many years of service. If battery tests well, but fails to perform satisfactorily in service for no apparent reason, following factors may point to cause of trouble
- Vehicle accessories are left on overnight.
- Slow average driving speeds are used for short periods.
- The vehicle's electrical load is more than generator output, particularly with addition of aftermarket equipment.
- Defects in charging system, such as electrical shorts, a slipping generator belt, a faulty generator, or a faulty voltage regulator.
- Battery abuse, including failure to keep battery cable terminals clean and tight, or a loose battery hold down clamp.
- Mechanical problems in electrical system, such as shorted or pinched wires.
BUILT-IN HYDROMETER
The sealed battery has a built-in, temperature-compensated hydrometer in top of battery. This hydrometer is to be used with the following diagnostic procedure
- When observing hydrometer, make sure that battery has a clean top.
- Under normal operation, two indications can be observed: GREEN DOT VISIBLE - Any green appearance is interpreted as a "Green dot", meaning battery is ready for testing. DARK GREEN DOT IS NOT VISIBLE - If there is a cranking complaint, battery should be tested. The charging and electrical systems should also be checked at this time.
- Occasionally, a third condition may appear: CLEAR OR BRIGHT YELLOW - This means fluid level is below bottom of hydrometer. This may have been caused by excessive or prolonged charging, a broken case, excessive tipping, or normal battery wear. Finding a battery in this condition may indicate high charging by a faulty charging system. Therefore, charging and electrical systems may need to be checked if a cranking complaint exists. If cranking complaint is caused by battery, replace battery.
JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE
- Position vehicle with good (charged) battery so that jumper cables will reach.
- Turn off ignition, all lights, and all electrical loads in both vehicles. Leave hazard flasher on if Jump Starting where there may be other traffic. In addition, leave on any other lights needed for work area.
- In both vehicles, apply parking brake firmly. NOTE: To avoid vehicle damage, make sure cables are not on or near pulleys, fans, or other parts that will move when engine starts.
- Shift an automatic transaxle to PARK, or a manual transaxle to NEUTRAL. CAUTION: In order to avoid injury, do not use cables that have loose or missing insulation.
- Clamp one end of first Jumper cable to positive terminal or battery. Make sure it does not touch any other metal parts. Clamp other end of same cable to positive terminal, on other battery. Never connect other end to negative terminal of discharged battery. CAUTION: To avoid injury do not attach cable directly to negative terminal of discharged battery. Doing so could cause sparks and a possible battery explosion.
- Clamp one end of second cable to negative terminal of booster battery. Make final connection to a solid engine ground (such as engine lift bracket) at least 450 millimeters (18") from discharged battery.
- Start engine of vehicle with good battery. Run engine at a moderate speed for several minutes. Then start engine of vehicle which has discharged battery.
- Remove Jumper cables by reversing above sequence exactly. Remove negative cable from vehicle with discharged battery first. While removing each clamp, take care that it does not touch any other metal while other end remains attached.
Wound field starter motors have pole pieces, arranged around armature, which are energized by wound field coils.
Enclosed shift lever cranking motors have shift lever mechanism and solenoid plunger enclosed in drive housing, protecting them from exposure to dirt, icy conditions, and splashes.
In basic circuit, solenoid windings are energized when switch is closed. The resulting plunger and shift lever movement causes pinion to engage engine flywheel ring gear. The solenoid main contacts close. Cranking then takes place.
When engine starts, pinion overrun protects armature from excessive speed until switch is opened, at which time return spring causes pinion to disengage. To prevent excessive overrun, switch should be released immediately after engine starts.
STARTING SYSTEM
The engine electrical system includes battery, ignition, starter, generator, and all related wiring. Diagnostic tables will aid in troubleshooting system faults. When a fault is traced to a particular component, refer to that component section of service manual.
The starting system circuit consists of battery, starter motor, ignition switch, and all related electrical wiring. All of these components are connected electrically.
