PART 8: MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE
PB1319 (CAT. NO. 5296 ) —144— 22-01691 (R02/02)
Battery Care
Regular attention to the charging system will help prolong the service
life of your batteries. Here are some common causes of battery failure:
• Overcharge: This condition may result from improper voltage reg-
ulator adjustment. It results in overheating of the battery, warped
plates, and evaporation of electrolyte.
• Undercharge: The voltage regulator may be malfunctioning, improp-
erly adjusted, the drive belt is slipping, or your vehicle has undergone
long periods of standing idle or short distance driving. These condi-
tions result in battery plates becoming covered with a hard coating.
• Vibration: Loose battery holddowns may cause battery plate
failure.
• Short Circuits: These discharge a battery by draining electricity.
• Dirty or Loose Connections: Bad connections may stop the flow of
electrical power to and from the battery.
Recharging Batteries
Except for using small trickle chargers to maintain battery condition,
you should have your vehicle’s batteries charged by a qualified ser-
vice facility. To help reduce the risk of personal injuries, follow these
guidelines carefully when recharging a battery:
• Before attempting any service in the electrical installation, discon-
nect the battery negative cable.
• Allow no sparks or open flame anywhere near the charging area.
• Charge a battery only in a well-ventilated area, such as outdoors or
in a fully open garage which contains no pilot lights or other flames.
• Always make sure the battery charger is OFF before connecting or
disconnecting the cable clamps.
WARNING! Battery posts, terminals, and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
WARNING! A battery contains gas that is explosive and
flammable. It could injure you severely. A spark or
flame near a battery on charge may cause it to explode
with great force. Follow these guidelines carefully when
recharging a battery:
WARNING! Always make sure the battery charger is OFF
before connecting or disconnecting the cable clamps. Do
not connect or disconnect charger cables while the
charger is operating to reduce the danger of explosions.
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