SMU - SECTION 6D1 - BATTERY PARASITIC LOAD TEST. Cadillac Catera 1997

SUBJECT: SERVICE MANUAL UPDATE - SECTION 6D1 - BATTERY PARASITIC LOAD TEST - REVISED TIME FOR VEHICLE POWER DOWN

MODELS: 1997 CADILLAC CATERA

THE TIME IT TAKES FOR A CATERA TO ELECTRICALLY POWER DOWN AFTER THE KEY IS SWITCHED OFF IS INCORRECTLY LISTED AS 6 MINUTES IN STEP 11 OF THE PARASITIC LOAD TEST ON PAGE 6D1-3 OF THE PRELIMINARY 1997 CATERA SERVICE MANUAL - VOLUME 2. THE CORRECT TIME IS APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES.

AFTER APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES, THE CAR SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED ITS ELECTRIC POWER DOWN SEQUENCE AND THE NORMAL PARASITIC DRAW SHOULD BE AROUND 20 MILLI-AMPS OR LESS. HOWEVER, IF THE ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM IS IN THE "ON" POSITION WHEN THE KEY IS SWITCHED OFF, THEN THERE WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL 40 MILLI-AMP DRAW (I.E. TOTAL AROUND 60 MILLI-AMPS) FOR TWO HOURS. THIS IS BECAUSE THE ECC SYSTEM STAYS AWAKE AND STORES SENSOR VALUES AND CALCULATIONS IN THE EVENT THE DRIVER RETURNS WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND WAIT UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETED ITS POWER DOWN SEQUENCE BEFORE BEGINNING PARASITIC DRAIN DIAGNOSIS. ALSO, TURN THE ECC SYSTEM OFF BEFORE SWITCHING THE KEY OFF TO SIMPLIFY DIAGNOSIS.

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GENERAL MOTORS BULLETINS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS, NOT A "DO-IT-YOURSELFER". THEY ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM THOSE TECHNICIANS OF CONDITIONS THAT MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES, OR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT COULD ASSIST IN THE PROPER SERVICE OF A VEHICLE. PROPERLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS HAVE THE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND KNOW-HOW TO DO A JOB PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IF A CONDITION IS DESCRIBED, DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE BULLETIN APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, OR THAT YOUR VEHICLE WILL HAVE THAT CONDITION. SEE A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER SERVICING YOUR BRAND OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE FOR INFORMATION ON WHETHER YOUR VEHICLE MAY BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION.