Chrysler Pacifica. Manual - part 483

stalled equipment on this model. All of the compo-
nents of the battery system are located within the
engine compartment of the vehicle. The battery sys-
tem is comprised of the following related components,
which are covered in further detail later in this sec-
tion of the service manual:

• Battery - The maintenance-free 12 volt automo-

tive battery provides a reliable means of storing a

renewable source of electrical energy within the vehi-
cle.

• Battery Cables - The color-coded positive and

negative battery cables connect the positive and neg-
ative battery terminal posts to the vehicle electrical
system.

• Battery Holddown - The battery holddown

secures the battery in the battery tray.

• Battery Thermowrap - The battery ther-

mowarp insulates the battery from engine compart-
ment temperature extremes.

• Battery Tray - The battery tray provides a

secure mounting location in the engine compartment

ENGINE SYSTEMS

8F - 1

for the battery and an anchor point for the battery
holddown.

For battery maintenance schedules and jump start-

ing procedure, see the owner’s manual in the vehicle
glove box. Optionally, refer to the Lubrication and
Maintenance section of this manual for the battery
maintenance schedules and proper battery jump
starting procedure. While battery charging can be
considered a maintenance procedure, the battery
charging procedure and related information are
located later in this section.

OPERATION

The battery system is designed to provide a safe,

efficient and reliable means of delivering and storing
electrical energy. This electrical energy is required to
operate the engine starting system, as well as to
operate many of the other vehicle accessory systems
for limited durations while the engine and/or charg-
ing system are not operating. The battery system is
also designed to provide a reserve of electrical energy
to supplement the charging system for short dura-
tions while the engine is running and the electrical
current demands of the vehicle exceed the output of
the charging system. In addition to delivering, and
storing electrical energy for the vehicle, the battery
system serves as a capacitor and voltage stabilizer
for the vehicle electrical system. It absorbs most
abnormal or transient voltages caused by the switch-
ing ON/OFF of any of the electrical components or
circuits in the vehicle.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - BATTERY SYSTEM

The battery, starting, and charging systems in the

vehicle operate with one another and must be tested
as a complete system. In order for the engine to start
and the battery to maintain its charge properly, all of
the components that are used in these systems must

perform within specifications. It is important that
the battery, starting, and charging systems be thor-
oughly tested and inspected any time a battery needs
to be charged or replaced. The cause of abnormal bat-
tery discharge, overcharging or early battery failure
must be diagnosed and corrected before a battery is
replaced and before a vehicle is returned to service.
The service information for these systems has been
separated within this service manual to make it eas-
ier to locate the specific information you are seeking.
However, when attempting to diagnose any of these
systems, it is important that you keep their interde-
pendency in mind.

The diagnostic procedures used for the battery,

starting, and charging systems include the most
basic conventional diagnostic methods, to the more
sophisticated On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) built into
the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). Use of an
induction-type milliampere ammeter, a volt/ohmme-
ter, a battery charger, a carbon pile rheostat (load
tester) and a 12-volt test lamp may be required. All
OBD-sensed systems are monitored by the PCM.
Each monitored circuit is assigned a Diagnostic Trou-
ble Code (DTC). The PCM will store a DTC in elec-
tronic memory for any failure it detects. Refer to
Charging System for the proper charging system on-
board diagnostic test procedures.

MICRO 420 BATTERY TESTER

The Micro 420 automotive battery tester is a spe-

cial service tool, designed to help the dealership tech-
nician diagnose the cause of a defective battery.
Follow the instruction manual supplied with the
tester to properly diagnose a vehicle. If the instruc-
tion manual is not available refer to the standard
procedure in this section, which includes the direc-
tions for using the Micro 420 battery tester.

8F - 2

BATTERY SYSTEM

BATTERY SYSTEM (Continued)

BATTERY SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS

CONDITION

POSSIBLE CAUSES

CORRECTION

THE BATTERY SEEMS
WEAK OR DEAD WHEN
ATTEMPTING TO START
THE ENGINE.

1. The electrical system
ignition-off draw is excessive.

1. Refer to the IGNITION-OFF DRAW TEST
Standard Procedure for the proper test
procedures. Repair the excessive ignition-off
draw, as required.

2. The charging system is
faulty.

2. Determine if the charging system is performing
to specifications. Refer to Charging System for
additional charging system diagnosis and testing
procedures. Repair the faulty charging system, as
required.

3. The battery is discharged.

3. Determine the battery state-of-charge using the
Micro 420 battery tester. Refer to the Standard
Procedures in this section for additional test
procedures. Charge the faulty battery, as
required.

4. The battery terminal
connections are loose or
corroded.

4. Refer to Battery Cables for the proper battery
cable diagnosis and testing procedures. Check
and clean and tighten the battery terminal
connections, as required.

5. The battery has an
incorrect size or rating for
this vehicle.

5. Refer to Battery System Specifications for the
proper size and rating. Replace an incorrect
battery, as required.

6. The battery is faulty.

6. Test the battery using the Micro 420 battery
tester. Refer to the Standard Procedures in this
section for additional test procedures. Replace
the faulty battery, as required.

7. The starting system is
faulty.

7. Determine if the starting system is performing
to specifications. Refer to Starting System for the
proper starting system diagnosis and testing
procedures. Repair the faulty starting system, as
required.

8. The battery is physically
damaged.

8. Inspect the battery for loose terminal posts or a
cracked and leaking case. Replace the damaged
battery, as required.

BATTERY SYSTEM

8F - 3

BATTERY SYSTEM (Continued)

BATTERY SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS

CONDITION

POSSIBLE CAUSES

CORRECTION

THE BATTERY STATE OF
CHARGE CANNOT BE
MAINTAINED.

1. The battery has an
incorrect size or rating for
this vehicle.

1. Refer to Battery System Specifications for the
proper specifications. Replace an incorrect
battery, as required.

2. The battery terminal
connections are loose or
corroded.

2. Refer to Battery Cable for the proper cable
diagnosis and testing procedures. Clean and
tighten the battery terminal connections, as
required.

3. The electrical system
ignition-off draw is excessive.

3. Refer to the IGNITION-OFF DRAW TEST
Standard Procedure for the proper test
procedures. Repair the faulty electrical system, as
required.

4. The battery is faulty.

4. Test the battery using the Micro 420 battery
tester. Refer to Standard Procedures for
additional test procedures. Replace the faulty
battery, as required.

5. The starting system is
faulty.

5. Determine if the starting system is performing
to specifications. Refer to Starting System for the
proper starting system diagnosis and testing
procedures. Repair the faulty starting system, as
required.

6. The charging system is
faulty.

6. Determine if the charging system is performing
to specifications. Refer to Charging System for
charging system diagnosis and testing
procedures. Repair the faulty charging system, as
required.

7. Electrical loads exceed the
output of the charging
system.

7. Inspect the vehicle for aftermarket electrical
equipment which might cause excessive electrical
loads.

8. Slow driving or prolonged
idling with high-amperage
draw loads in use.

8. Advise the vehicle operator, as required.

THE BATTERY WILL NOT
ACCEPT A CHARGE.

1. The battery is faulty.

1. Test the battery using the Micro 420 battery
tester.. Charge or replace the faulty battery, as
required.

ABNORMAL BATTERY DISCHARGING

Any of the following conditions can result in abnor-

mal battery discharging:

1. A faulty or incorrect charging system compo-

nent. Refer to Charging System for additional charg-
ing system diagnosis and testing procedures.

2. A faulty or incorrect battery. Use Micro 420

tester and refer to Standard Procedures for addi-
tional battery diagnosis and testing procedures.

3. A faulty circuit or component causing excessive

ignition-off draw.

4. Electrical loads that exceed the output of the

charging system. This can be due to equipment

installed after manufacture, or repeated short trip
use.

5. A faulty or incorrect starting system component.

Refer to Starting System for the proper starting sys-
tem diagnosis and testing procedures.

6. Corroded or loose battery terminals.
7. Slow driving speeds (heavy traffic conditions) or

prolonged idling, with high-amperage draw loads in
use.

CLEANING

The following information details the recommended

cleaning procedures for the battery and related com-
ponents. In addition to the maintenance schedules

8F - 4

BATTERY SYSTEM

BATTERY SYSTEM (Continued)

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