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Regular Maintenance
Battery Service
Checking Battery Voltage
A voltmeter can be used to determine the condition of the
battery. When engine is off, the voltmeter shows battery
voltage, which should be 12 volts. When engine is running,
the voltmeter shows the voltage of the charging circuit which
normally is 13 to 14 volts.
A dead battery or one to weak to start the engine may not
mean the battery needs to be replaced. For example, it may
mean that the alternator is not charging the battery properly.
If there is any doubt about the cause of the problem, see
your dealer. If you need to replace the battery, follow the
steps under Cleaning the Battery & Cables in the Regular
Maintenance section.
Charging a Completely Discharged Battery
1. Be aware of all the safety precautions you should
observe during the charging operation. If you are
unfamiliar with the use of a battery charger and
hydrometer, have the battery serviced by your dealer.
2. Add distilled water sufficient to cover the plate (fill to
proper lever near the end of the charge). If the battery
is extremely cold, allow it to warm before adding water
because the water level will rise as it warms. Also, an
extremely cold battery will not charge until it becomes
warm.
3. Always unplug or turn the charger off before attaching or
removing the clamp connections.
4. Carefully attach the clamps to the battery in the proper
polarity (usually red to [+] positive and black to [+]
negative.
5. While charging, periodically measure the temperature of
the electrolyte. If the temperature exceeds 125°F (51.6°
C), or if violent gassing or spewing of electrolyte occurs,
the charging rate must be reduced or temporarily halted
to prevent battery damage.
6. Charge the battery until fully charged (until the specific
gravity of the electrolyte is 1.250 or higher and the
electrolyte temperature is at least 60°F). The best
method for making sure that the battery is fully charged
is to measure the specific gravity of a cell once per hour.
The battery is fully charged when the cells are gassing
freely at a low charging rate and less than 0.003 change
in specific gravity occurs over a three year period.
Jump Starting With Auxiliary (Booster) Battery
Jump starting is not recommended. However, if it must be
done, follow these directions. Both booster and discharged
batteries should be treated carefully when using jumper
cables. Follow the steps below exactly, being careful not to
cause sparks. Refer to Figure 36.
1. Both batteries must be the same voltage.
2. Position the vehicle with the booster battery adjacent
to the vehicle with the discharged battery so that the
booster cables can be connected easily to the batteries
in both vehicles. Make certain that the vehicles do not
touch each other.
3. Wear safety glasses and shield eyes and face from
batteries at all times. Be sure that the vent caps are
tight. Place a damp cloth over the vent caps on both
batteries.
4. Connect the positive [+] cable to the positive post of the
discharged battery (wired to starter of solenoid).
5. Connect the other end of the same cable to the same
post marked positive [+] on the booster battery.
6. Connect the second cable negative [-] to the other post
of the booster battery.
7. Make the final connection on the engine block of stalled
vehicle away from battery. Do not lean over batteries.
8. Start the engine of the vehicle wit the booster battery.
Wait a few minutes, then attempt to start the engine of
the vehicle with the discharged battery.
9. If the vehicle does not start after cranking for thirty
seconds, stop procedure. More than thirty seconds
seldom starts the engine unless some mechanical
adjustment has been made.
10. After starting, allow the engine to return to idle speed.
Remove the cable connection at the engine or frame.
The remove the other end of the same cable from the
booster battery.
11. Remove the other cable by disconnecting at the
discharged battery first and then disconnect opposite
end from the booster battery.
12. Discard the damp cloths that were placed over the
battery vent caps.
WARNING
• Keep open flame and sparks away from the battery; the
gasses coming from it are highly explosive.
• Ventilate the battery well during charging.
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