Battery Replacement General
Caution: Batteries produce explosive gasses. Batteries contain corrosive acid.
Batteries supply levels of electrical current high enough to cause burns.
Therefore, to reduce the risk of personal injury while working near a battery:
| • | Always shield your eyes. |
| • | Avoid leaning over the battery whenever possible. |
| • | Do not expose the battery to open flames or sparks. |
| • | Do not allow battery acid to contact the eyes or the skin. |
| 1. | Flush any contacted areas with water immediately and thoroughly. |
The maintenance
free battery is standard in all GM vehicles. The battery is completely sealed
except for two small vent holes in the sides. The vent holes allow a small
amount of gas produced in the battery to escape.
The battery provides the following three functions in the electrical
system:
| • | The battery provides a source of energy for cranking the engine. |
| • | The battery acts as a voltage stabilizer for the electrical system. |
| • | The battery can provide energy when the electrical load exceeds
the output of the generator, for a limited time. |
Electrolyte Freezing
The freezing point of the battery electrolyte depends on the battery's
specific gravity.
Freezing a battery can ruin the battery.
Protect the battery from freezing by keeping the battery fully charged.
With the green dot showing in the built-in hydrometer, the battery
will not freeze until the temperature drops below -32° C (-25°
F). A fully charged battery will not freeze until the temperature drops below
-54° C (-65° F). Refer to
Battery Hydrometer Displays Dark or Yellow Dot
.
Battery Ratings
The battery specification label contains useful information for servicing
the battery. The information includes test ratings, original equipment and
recommended replacement part numbers. Refer to
Battery Usage
.
The battery has two ratings: Cold Cranking Amperage (CCA) and Reserve
Capacity.
| • | Cold Cranking Amperage indicates the battery's ability to crank
the engine during cold temperatures. |
| • | The CCA rating is the minimum amperage the battery must maintain
for 30 seconds at -18°C (0°F), while staying above 7.2 volts. |
| • | The actual performance of the battery varies with temperature,
electrical load, and the condition of the vehicle's electrical condition. |
Reserve Capacity
Reserve capacity is the maximum amount of time (in minutes) it will
take for a fully charged battery, being discharged at a constant rate of 25
amperes with the temperature remaining at 27°C (80°F), to reach a
terminal voltage of 10.5 volts.
| • | Reserve capacity is an estimate of how long a person may operate
the vehicle under the following conditions: |
| - | A minimum electrical load (most accessories are turned off). |
| • | How long the battery will actually last when the vehicle is being
driven without generator output depends on the following factors: |
| - | The condition of the battery |
Battery Replacement Protection During Storage
| | Caution: Batteries produce explosive gases. Batteries contain corrosive acid.
Batteries supply levels of electrical current high enough to cause burns.
Therefore, in order to reduce the risk of personal injury while working
near a battery, observe the following guidelines:
| • | Always shield your eyes. |
| • | Avoid leaning over the battery whenever possible. |
| • | Do not expose the battery to open flames or sparks. |
| • | Do not allow battery acid to contact the eyes or the skin. |
| - | Flush any contacted areas with water immediately and thoroughly. |
|
| • | Always shield your eyes. |
| • | Avoid leaning over the battery whenever possible. |
| • | Do not expose the battery to open flames or sparks. |
| • | Do not allow battery acid to contact the eyes or the skin. |
| 1. | Flush any contacted areas with water immediately and thoroughly. |
| • | Follow each step in the jump starting instructions, exactly. |
Certain electronic devices on the vehicle maintain a small continuous
current drain (parasitic load) on the battery, such as a PCM or a VCM. A battery
that is not used for an extended period of time will discharge. Eventually
permanent damage will result. Discharged batteries will also freeze in cold
weather.
| • | Do the following in order to maintain the battery state of charge
while storing the vehicle for more than 30 days: |
| • | Ensure that the green dot is visible in the built-in hydrometer. |
| • | Disconnect the negative battery cable to protect the battery from
discharge by parasitic current drains. |
| • | When it is time to reconnect the battery, use the following procedure: |
Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners
must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring
replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant
are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or
corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified.
These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage
the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when
installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
| 1. | Lightly wire brush
any oxidation from the contact face of the battery terminal and the battery
post before reattaching the cable. |
Tighten
Tighten the battery cable bolt to 15 N·m (11 lb ft).
| 2. | Reset the clock and the push-button tuning radio before the vehicle
is put back into service. |
| • | Maintain a high state of charge when the battery cannot be disconnected. |
| • | Establish a regular schedule for recharging the battery every
20-45 days. |
| - | When a battery is found without a green dot visible in the hydrometer,
promptly recharge the battery. |
| - | To reduce charging time, use a battery charger that can produce
a charging voltage of at least 16 volts. |
| - | Original equipment maintenance free batteries are not damaged
by charging rates of 50 amps or more. |
| - | The battery will not be damaged as long as the battery does not
spew acid from the vents or get hotter than 52°C (125°F). |
| - | Check the battery being charged every 45-60 minutes. |
| - | If gassing or overheating does occur, reduce the rate of charge,
or stop if necessary. |
| - | Avoid overcharging by stopping one hour after the green dot appears
in the hydrometer. |
| • | A battery that has remained in a discharged state for a long period
of time is difficult to recharge or may be permanently damaged. |
