Battery System: Other Dodge Durango II

MICRO 420 BATTERY TESTER

The Micro 420 automotive battery tester is designed to assist the technician diagnose a inoperative battery. Follow the instruction manual supplied with the tester to properly diagnose a battery. If the instruction manual is not available, (Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE ).

BATTERY SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS

ABNORMAL BATTERY DISCHARGING

Any of the following conditions can result in abnormal battery discharging

1. A faulty or incorrect charging system component. Refer to «GENERATORS & REGULATORS»(ref-166557) for additional charging system diagnosis and testing procedures.
2. A faulty or incorrect battery. Use Micro 420 battery tester and refer to «BATTERY SYSTEM»(ref-212766-S37620177912005122700000) for additional battery diagnosis and testing procedures.
3. A faulty circuit or component causing excessive ignition-off draw.
4. Electrical loads that exceed the output of the charging system. This can be due to equipment installed after manufacture, or repeated short trip use.
5. A faulty or incorrect starting system component. Refer to «STARTERS»(ref-164418) for the proper starting system diagnosis and testing procedures.
6. Corroded or loose battery posts and/or terminal clamps.
7. Slow driving speeds (heavy traffic conditions) or prolonged idling, with high-amperage draw systems in use.

CLEANING

The following information details the recommended cleaning procedures for the battery and related components. It is recommended that these procedures be performed any time the battery or related components must be removed (if required).

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1. Clean the battery cable terminal clamps (2) of all corrosion. Remove any corrosion using a wire brush or a post and terminal cleaning tool (1), and a sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and warm water cleaning solution.
2. Clean the battery tray and battery hold down hardware of all corrosion. Remove any corrosion using a wire brush (1) and a sodium bicarbonate (baking 1 soda) and warm water cleaning solution (2). Paint any exposed bare metal.
3. If the removed battery is to be reinstalled, clean the outside of the battery case and the top cover with a sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and warm water cleaning solution (2) using a stiff bristle parts cleaning brush (1) to remove any acid film. Rinse the battery with clean water. Ensure that the cleaning solution does not enter the battery cells through the vent holes. If the battery is being replaced, confirm that the replacement battery is the correct size and has the correct ratings for the vehicle.
4. Clean the battery thermal guard with a sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and warm water cleaning solution (2) using a stiff bristle parts cleaning brush (1) to remove any acid film.
5. Clean any corrosion from the battery terminal posts (2) with a wire brush or a post and terminal cleaner (1) and a sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and warm water cleaning solution.

The Micro 420 automotive battery tester is designed to assist the technician diagnose the cause of a defective battery. Follow the instruction manual supplied with the tester to properly diagnose a battery.

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 checked with Micro 420 tester or 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.

Note. Completely discharged batteries may take several hours to accept a charge. Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURES for the proper battery charging procedures.

BATTERY CHARGING

Battery charging is the means by which the battery can be restored to its full voltage potential. A battery is fully-charged when

1. Micro 420 electrical system tester indicates battery is OK.
2. Three hydrometer tests, taken at one-hour intervals, indicate no increase in the temperature-corrected specific gravity of the battery electrolyte.
3. Passes Load test.
4. Open-circuit voltage of the battery is 12.65 volts or above.

Some battery chargers are equipped with polarity-sensing circuitry. This circuitry protects the battery charger and the battery from being damaged if they are improperly 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 current. See the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the battery charger for details on how to bypass the polarity-sensing circuitry.

After the battery has been charged to 12.4 volts or greater, retest the battery using the Micro 420 tester or perform a load test to determine the battery cranking capacity. 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.

CHARGING A COMPLETELY DISCHARGED BATTERY

The following procedure should be used to recharge a completely discharged battery. Unless this procedure is properly followed, a good battery may be needlessly replaced.

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1. Measure the voltage at the battery posts with a voltmeter, accurate to 1/10 (0.10) volt. If the reading is below ten volts, the battery charging current will be low. It could take some time before the battery accepts a current greater than a few milliamperes. 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 battery chargers are, equipped with polarity-sensing circuitry. This circuitry protects the battery charger and the battery from being damaged if they are improperly 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 current. See the instructions provided by the manufacturer 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»(ref-212766-S17100885712005122700000) table. If the charging current is still not measurable at the end of the charging time, the battery is faulty and must be replaced. If the charging current is measurable during the charging time, the battery may be good and the charging should be completed in the normal manner. CHARGE RATE Voltage Hours 16.0 volts maximum up to 4 hours 14.0 to 15.9 volts up to 8 hours 13.9 volts or less up to 16 hours

CHARGING TIME REQUIRED

The time required to charge a battery will vary, depending upon the following factors

1. Battery Capacity - A completely discharged heavy-duty battery requires twice the charging time of a small capacity battery.
2. Temperature - A longer time will be needed to charge a battery at -18° C (0° F) than at 27° C (80° 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).
3. Charger 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 charging time.
4. State-Of-Charge - A completely discharged battery 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 battery charges, the specific gravity of the electrolyte will gradually rise.

The 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.

BATTERY CHARGING TIME

Always use the Micro 420 Instruction Manual that was supplied with the tester as a reference. If the Instruction Manual is not available the following procedure can be used

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1. If testing the battery OUT-OF-VEHICLE, clean the battery terminals with a wire brush before testing. If the battery is equipped with side post terminals, install and tighten the supplied lead terminal stud adapters. Do not use steel bolts. Failure to properly install the stud adapters, or using stud adapters that are dirty or worn-out may result in false test readings.
2. If testing the battery IN-THE-VEHICLE, make certain all of the vehicle accessory loads are OFF, including the ignition. The preferred test position is at the battery terminal. If the battery is not accessible, you may test using both the positive and negative jumper posts. Select TESTING AT JUMPER POST when connecting to that location.
3. Connect the tester to the battery or jumper posts, the red clamp to positive (+) and the black clamp to negative (-). NOTE: Multiple batteries connected in parallel must have the ground cable disconnected to perform a «BATTERY TEST»(ref-212766-S19424568902005122700000) . Failure to disconnect may result in false battery test readings.
4. Using the ARROW key select in or out of vehicle testing and press ENTER to make a selection.
5. If not selected, choose the Cold Cranking Amp (CCA) battery rating. Or select the appropriate battery rating for your area (see menu). The tester will then run its self programmed test of the battery and display the results. Refer to the «BATTERY TEST RESULTS»(ref-212766-S30368058122005122700000) table. CAUTION: If REPLACE BATTERY is the result of the test, this may mean a poor connection between the vehicle's cables and battery exists. After disconnecting the vehicle's battery cables from the battery, retest the battery using the OUT-OF-VEHICLE test before replacing.
6. While viewing the battery test result, press the CODE button and the tester will prompt you for the last 4 digits of the VIN. Use the UP/DOWN arrow buttons to scroll to the correct character; then press ENTER to select and move to the next digit. Then press the ENTER button to view the SERVICE CODE. Pressing the CODE button a second time will return you to the test results. BATTERY TEST RESULTS GOOD BATTERY Return to service GOOD - RECHARGE Fully charge battery and return to service CHARGE & RETEST Fully charge battery and retest battery REPLACE BATTERY Replace the battery and retest complete system BAD-CELL REPLACE Replace the battery and retest complete system NOTE: The SERVICE CODE is required on every warranty claim submitted for battery replacement.

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1. Turn the ignition switch to the Off position. Be certain that all electrical accessories are turned off.
2. Loosen the battery negative cable terminal clamp pinch-bolt hex nut.
3. Disconnect the battery negative cable terminal clamp from the battery negative terminal post. If necessary, use a battery terminal puller (2) to remove the terminal clamp from the battery post.
4. Loosen the battery positive cable terminal clamp pinch-bolt hex nut.
5. Disconnect the battery positive cable terminal clamp from the battery positive terminal post. If necessary, use a battery terminal puller (2) to remove the terminal clamp from the battery post.
6. Remove the battery cables from the battery.
7. Remove the battery thermal guard (1).
8. Remove the battery hold down (1) and bolt (2) from the battery. WARNING: WEAR A SUITABLE PAIR OF RUBBER GLOVES (NOT THE HOUSEHOLD TYPE) WHEN REMOVING A BATTERY BY HAND. SAFETY GLASSES SHOULD ALSO BE WORN. IF THE BATTERY IS CRACKED OR LEAKING, THE ELECTROLYTE CAN BURN THE SKIN AND EYES.
9. Remove the battery from the battery tray.

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1. Clean and inspect the battery.
2. Position the battery onto the battery tray. Ensure that the battery positive and negative terminal posts are correctly positioned. The battery cable terminal clamps must reach the correct battery terminal post without stretching the cables.
3. Install the thermal guard (1) and slide battery toward fender.
4. Install the battery hold down (1) and bolt (2) onto the battery. CAUTION: Be certain that the battery cable terminal clamps are connected to the correct battery terminal posts. Reverse battery polarity may damage electrical components of the vehicle.
5. Clean the battery cable terminal clamps and the battery terminal posts.
6. Connect the battery positive cable terminal clamp to the battery positive terminal post.
7. Connect the battery negative cable terminal clamp to the battery negative terminal post.
8. Apply a thin coating of petroleum jelly or chassis grease to the exposed surfaces of the battery cable terminal clamps and the battery terminal posts.

BATTERY CABLES

A voltage drop test will determine if there is excessive resistance in the battery cable terminal connections or the battery cables. If excessive resistance is found in the battery cable connections, the connection point should be disassembled, cleaned of all corrosion 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 important to remember that the voltage drop is giving an indication of the resistance between the two points at which the voltmeter probes are attached. EXAMPLE: When testing the resistance of the battery positive cable, touch the voltmeter leads to the battery positive cable terminal clamp and to the battery positive 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.