Dodge Caliber. Manual - part 274

This vehicle is equipped with a single 12-volt battery. All of the components of the battery system are located within
the engine compartment of the vehicle. The battery system for this vehicle contains the following components:

•

Battery - The storage battery provides a reliable means of storing a renewable source of electrical energy
within the vehicle.

•

Battery Cables - The battery cables connect the positive and negative charged battery terminal posts to the
vehicle electrical system.

•

Battery Holddown - The battery holddown hardware secures the battery in the battery tray.

•

Battery Thermal Guard - The battery thermal guard insulates the battery to protect it from engine compart-
ment temperature extremes.

•

Battery Tray - The battery tray provides a secure mounting location in the vehicle for the battery and an
anchor point for the battery holddown hardware.

For battery system maintenance schedules, (Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/MAINTENANCE SCHED-
ULES - DESCRIPTION). For the proper jump starting procedures, (Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/
JUMP STARTING - STANDARD PROCEDURE).

OPERATION

The battery system is designed to provide a safe, efficient, reliable and mobile 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 the charging system are not
operating. The battery system is also designed to provide a reserve of electrical energy to supplement the charging
system for short durations 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 switching 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 com-
plete 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 thoroughly tested and inspected any time a battery needs to be charged or replaced. The
cause of abnormal battery 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 easier to locate the specific information you are seeking. How-
ever, when attempting to diagnose any of these systems, it is important that you keep their interdependency 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/ohmmeter, 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 Trouble Code (DTC). The PCM will store a DTC in electronic memory for
any failure it detects. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/CHARGING - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING) for the proper charging
system on-board diagnostic test procedures.

MICRO 420 BATTERY TESTER (GASOLINE ENGINES)

The Micro 420 automotive battery tester is designed to help diagnose the cause of a defective battery. Follow the
instruction manual supplied with the tester to properly diagnose a vehicle. If the instruction manual is not available,
(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM/BATTERY - STANDARD PROCEDURE - USING MICRO 420 BAT-
TERY TESTER) which includes the directions for using the Micro 420 battery tester.

8F - 2

BATTERY SYSTEM

OTC ONE STEP BATTERY ANALYZER AND CHARGER (DIESEL ENGINES)

The OTC One Step Battery Analyzer and Charger is designed to help diagnose the cause of a defective battery.
Follow the instruction manual supplied with the tester to properly diagnose a vehicle.

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 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY
SYSTEM/BATTERY - STANDARD PROCEDURE
- IGNITION-OFF DRAW TEST) for the
appropriate test procedures. Repair the excessive
ignition-off draw, as required.

2. The charging system is
inoperative.

2. Determine if the charging system is performing
to specifications. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
CHARGING - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING) for
the appropriate charging system diagnosis and
testing procedures. Repair the inoperative
charging system, as required.

3. The battery is discharged.

3. Determine the battery state-of-charge using the
appropriate battery tester. Charge the inoperative
battery, as required.

4. The battery terminal
connections are loose or
corroded.

4. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY
SYSTEM/CABLES - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)
for the appropriate battery cable diagnosis and
testing procedures. Clean and tighten the battery
terminal connections, as required.

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

5. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM
- SPECIFICATIONS) for the proper battery size
and rating. Replace an incorrect battery, as
required.

6. The battery is inoperative.

6. Test the battery using the appropriate battery
tester. Replace the inoperative battery, as
required.

7. The starting system is
inoperative.

7. Determine if the starting system is performing
to specifications. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
STARTING - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING) for the
appropriate starting system diagnosis and testing
procedures. Repair the inoperative 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 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 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM
- SPECIFICATIONS) for the proper battery size
and rating. Replace an incorrect battery, as
required.

2. The battery terminal
connections are loose or
corroded.

2. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY
SYSTEM/CABLES - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)
for the appropriate battery 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 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY
SYSTEM/BATTERY - STANDARD PROCEDURE
- IGNITION-OFF DRAW TEST) for the
appropriate test procedures. Repair the excessive
ignition-off draw, as required.

4. The battery is inoperative.

4. Test the battery using the appropriate battery
tester. Replace the inoperative battery, as
required.

5. The starting system is
inoperative.

5. Determine if the starting system is performing
to specifications. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
STARTING - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING) for the
appropriate starting system diagnosis and testing
procedures. Repair the inoperative starting
system, as required.

6. The charging system is
inoperative.

6. Determine if the charging system is performing
to specifications. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
CHARGING - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING) for
the appropriate charging system diagnosis and
testing procedures. Repair the inoperative
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 inoperative.

1. Test the battery using the appropriate battery
tester. Replace the inoperative battery, as
required.

STANDARD PROCEDURE

BATTERY RECONNECTION

NOTE: This reconnection procedure is to be performed anytime the battery has been disconnected.

1. Connect the battery negative cable to the battery post and tighten the clamp nut.

2. Install the rear compartment floor trim panel.

CAUTION: Once the battery has been connected, review and perform the following information as applica-
ble.

8F - 4

BATTERY SYSTEM

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