DESCRIPTION
This vehicle is equipped with a single 12-volt battery. 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
- Battery - A 12 volt storage battery provides a reliable means of storing a renewable source of electrical energy within the vehicle.
- Battery Cables - The battery cables connect the battery terminal posts to the vehicle electrical system.
- Battery Hold down - The battery hold down hardware secures the battery in the battery tray.
- 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 jump starting procedures, refer to owner's manual.
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 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.
A large capacity, low-maintenance storage battery is installed on this vehicle. Male post type terminals (1&7) made of soft lead protrude from the top of the molded plastic battery case to provide the means for connecting the battery to the vehicle electrical system. The battery positive terminal post (1) is physically larger in diameter than the negative terminal post (7) to ensure proper battery connection. The letters POS and NEG are also molded into the top of the battery case adjacent to their respective positive and negative terminal posts for identification confirmation.
The battery is made up of six individual cells that are connected in series. Each cell contains positively charged plate groups (10) that are connected with lead straps to the positive terminal post (1), and negatively charged plate groups (10) that are connected with lead straps to the negative terminal post (7). Each plate consists of a stiff mesh framework or grid coated with lead dioxide (positive plate) or sponge lead (negative plate). Insulators or plate separators made of a non-conductive material are inserted between the positive and negative plates to prevent them from contacting or shorting against one another. These dissimilar metal plates are submerged in a sulfuric acid and water solution called an electrolyte (9).
Scheme 1
The battery has a built-in test indicator (hydrometer) (4). The color visible in the sight glass of the indicator will reveal the battery condition. Water cannot be added to this battery. The battery is not sealed and has vent holes (2) and (6) in the cell caps (3) and (5). The chemical composition of the metal coated plates within the low-maintenance battery reduces battery gassing and water loss, at normal charge and discharge rates. Therefore, the battery should not require additional water in normal service.
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. 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.
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.
The battery cables cannot be repaired and, if damaged or inoperative, they must be replaced.
The battery cables feature a stamped brass clamping type female battery terminal crimped onto one end of the battery cable wire and then solder-dipped. A square headed pinch-bolt and hex nut are installed at the open end of the female battery terminal clamp. The battery positive cable also includes a red molded rubber protective cover for 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 battery 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.
Scheme 2
The battery cables connect the battery terminal posts to the vehicle electrical system. These cables also provide a return path 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 ends of the battery cable wires opposite the female battery terminal clamps provide secure and reliable connection of the battery to the vehicle electrical system.
A flexible plastic bubble-wrap style thermal guard wraps around the battery case to enclose the sides of the battery. The thermal guard (1) consists of a heavy black plastic outer skin and two lighter plies of plastic that have been formed into a sheet with hundreds of small air pockets entrapped between them.
Scheme 3
The thermal guard protects the battery from engine compartment temperature extremes. The temperature of the battery can affect battery performance. The air trapped between the plastic plies of the thermal guard create a dead air space, which helps to insulate the sides of the battery case from the air temperature found in the surrounding engine compartment.
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- Disconnect the battery cables.
- Remove the battery thermal guard (1).
- Remove the battery hold down (2) and bolt (1).
- Remove the battery from the battery tray.
- Remove the two upper bolts for the battery tray (1).
- Remove the right front tire and wheel assembly (Refer to «TIRES/WHEELS»(ref-212834) ).
- Remove the right front wheelhouse splash shield (Refer to «LINER-FRONT FENDER»(/dodge/durango/ii-2003-2006/remont/exterior-body-panels/#exterior) ).
- Remove the lower battery tray (1) mounting bolts (2).
- Remove the electrical routing clips at the battery tray.
- Remove the battery temperature sensor from the battery tray (1).
- Remove the battery tray (1) from the vehicle.
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Scheme 12
- Clean and inspect the battery tray (1). Refer to «BATTERY SYSTEM»(ref-212766-S37620177912005122700000) for battery tray cleaning and inspection procedures.
- Position the battery tray (1) into the vehicle.
- Install and tighten the lower bolts (2) that secure the battery tray (1). Tighten the screws to 12.4 N.m (110 in. lbs.).
- Install the right front wheelhouse splash shield (Refer to «LINER-FRONT FENDER»(/dodge/durango/ii-2003-2006/remont/exterior-body-panels/#exterior) ).
- Install the right front tire and wheel assembly (Refer to «TIRES/WHEELS»(ref-212834) ).
- Install the battery temperature sensor onto the battery tray (1).
- Install and tighten upper bolts that secure the battery tray to fender frame. Tighten the screws to 12.4 N.m (110 in. lbs.).
- Install the battery onto the battery tray (Refer to «INSTALLATION»(ref-212766-S42150107922005122700000) ).
- Install and tighten the battery holddown (1) and bolt (2).
- Install the battery thermal guard (1).
- Reconnect the battery cables.
See also:
• LINER-FRONT FENDER