GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 1999 🢒 Grand Prix 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Electrical 🢒 Battery Check

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.
      - Get medical help.

Battery Check

Step

Action

Normal Result(s)

Abnormal Result(s)*

1
  1. Visually inspect the battery for the presence of acid around the battery.
  2. Visually inspect the battery tray for the presence of acid.
    • The area around the battery is dry.
    • The area around the battery tray is dry.
  1. Flush the area thoroughly with a mixture of baking soda and water in order to neutralize the acid.
  2. Rinse completely with water.

2

Visually inspect the battery case for the following conditions:

    • cracked
    • broken
    • damaged

The battery case does not show the following conditions:

    • cracked
    • broken
    • damaged

Refer to Battery Replacement.

3
  1. Review the CCA and RC ratings for the OE battery. Refer to Battery Usage Chart.
  2. Compare the ratings in the table to the ratings on the label of the battery in the vehicle.

The ratings of the vehicle battery meet or exceed the OE ratings listed in the Battery Usage Chart.
    • Replace the battery with the recommended replacement model listed in the Battery Usage Chart or a similar model.
    • Ensure the CCA and RC ratings are met or exceed the OE battery ratings. Refer to Battery Replacement.

4

Visually inspect the battery hydrometer. Refer to Battery Hydrometer in Engine Electrical.

The battery hydrometer displays a green dot.
    • Battery hydrometer is yellow. Refer to Battery Hydrometer Displays Yellow Dot in Engine Electrical
    • Battery hydrometer is dark. Refer to Battery Not Operating Properly in Engine Electrical.

5
  1. Turn the ignition key to START.
  2. Start the engine.

The engine cranks normally and starts.
    • The engine cranks slowly or does not crank. Refer to Battery Not Operating Properly in Engine Electrical.
    • The engine cranks normally but does not run. Refer to Engine Cranks But Does Not Run.

6
  1. Visually inspect the battery installation in the battery tray.
  2. Inspect the battery hold-down for correct installation torque. Refer to Specifications.
    • The battery is firmly held in place in the tray.
    • The hold-down bolt is properly tightened.

Inspect the battery in order to determine if the loose mounting has affected the battery performance. Refer to Battery Not Operating Properly in Engine Electrical.

7

Review the customer complaint for comments that indicate the battery runs down over a period of time.

No time-related discharge comments.
  1. Refer to Charging System Check.
  2. Refer to Battery Electrical Drain/Parasitic Load Check.

* Refer to the appropriate symptom diagnostic table for the applicable abnormal result.