Service Manual User Manual

Section 10
10-46
Model 3606 • Origin 10/99
4. Use a 1/2" square drive ratchet to raise the tensioner
bracket (2). Properly route the fan belt (3) onto the
alternator and engine pulleys. Check the tensioner
pulley to verify that it is pivoting freely to provide the
proper tension on the belt. Check for proper fan belt
deflection (refer to
Section 2.12.8 Engine Fan Belt
).
5. Connect the negative (-) battery cable (Fig. 10– 37) to
the negative (-) battery terminal.
10.7.2 Battery
A single, lead-acid type, 12-volt, negative (-) ground,
maintenance-free battery rated at 1000 cold-cranking
amps is used in this vehicle. Refer to
Section 2.12.15
Battery
for general information.
a. Battery Description
The battery supplies power to the starter and ignition
system to crank the engine, and provides extra power
when the electrical load requirements of the vehicle
exceed the supply from the charging system in the event
of an alternator or charging-system failure. The battery
also acts as a voltage stabilizer in the electrical system,
smoothing out or reducing temporarily high voltage.
With the correct battery cables properly attached, and
with the battery properly mounted, the battery does not
require periodic maintenance.
When starting the engine, allow the starter to crank for a
maximum of 15 seconds only, then wait a minimum of
two minutes to help avoid burning out the starter. Also,
DO NOT let the engine idle excessively, as low engine
RPM can also lead to battery discharge.
Keep the battery from freezing by maintaining a full
charge. A completely discharged battery will freeze at
18° F (8° C).
Due to the maintenance-free design, water never has to
be added to the battery, so there are no filler caps. Each
battery is sealed, except for small vent holes in the cover.
The vent holes allow gas and pressure produced in the
battery during charging to escape. The special chemical
composition inside the battery reduces gassing to a very
small amount at normal charging voltages. The special
chemistry also greatly reduces the possibility of over-
charge damage.
The vents require keeping the battery in an upright posi-
tion to help prevent electrolyte leakage. Tipping the bat-
tery beyond a 45° angle in any direction can allow a small
amount of electrolyte to leak out the vent hole.
DO NOT exceed this 45° angle when carrying or install-
ing a battery.
The battery has top-post terminals. Keep the terminals
clean, and securely tighten clean cable clamps onto the
posts. Grease or special spray sealers may be applied
over the connections.
b. Visual Inspection of the Battery
Inspect for damage such as a cracked or broken case or
cover that could permit loss of electrolyte. If obvious
physical damage is noted, replace the battery. Handle
the battery with care. Determine the cause of damage
and correct as needed before installing the new battery.
c. Battery Load Test
1. Disconnect both the negative (-) battery cable (first),
and the positive (+) battery cable from the battery.
Make sure that the negative and positive battery
terminal posts are clean to help assure a good
electrical connection.
2. Attach voltmeter and battery load tester clamps to
the battery terminal posts.
3. Remove the surface charge from any battery that has
just been charged (by a battery charger or by the
vehicle alternator). DO NOT remove the surface
charge from a battery that has been in storage. To
remove the surface charge, apply a 300-ampere load
across the terminals for 15 seconds. Then turn off
the load and wait for 15 seconds to allow the battery
to recover and normalize.
4. Battery temperature should be estimated by touch
and also by the surrounding temperature it was
exposed to during the preceding few hours before
testing. Select the nearest estimated temperature
from the chart below and determine the minimum
voltage that must be maintained while the battery
supplies a specified electrical load.
5. Apply a 260-ampere load test to check the charge
acceptance of the battery. Observe the voltage after
15 seconds with the load connected, then turn off the
load.
6. If voltage is at or above the value determined in step
4, the battery is good and may be returned to service.
7. If voltage is below the value determined in step 4,
check the charge acceptance of the battery one more
time before discarding it. If the voltage continues to
read below the value determined in step 4, replace
the battery.
WARNING: All lead-acid batteries generate
hydrogen gas, which is highly flammable. If
ignited by a spark or flame, the gas may
explode violently, causing spraying of acid,
fragmentation of the battery, and possible
severe personal injuries. Wear safety glasses
when working near batteries. In case of contact
with acid, flush immediately with water.