Opel Frontera UBS. Manual - part 1302

ENGINE ELECTRICAL  6D1 – 1

SECTION 6D

ENGINE ELECTRICAL

CONTENTS

Battery................................................................................................................................... Section 6D1
Starting System ................................................................................................................... Section 6D2
Charging System.................................................................................................................. Section 6D3
QOS-III Preheating System................................................................................................. Section 6D6

SECTION 6D1

BATTERY

CONTENTS

General Description ......................................... 6D1–1
Diagnosis .......................................................... 6D1–1
On-Vehicle Service........................................... 6D1–3

Battery Charging.......................................... 6D1–3

Jump Starting .............................................. 6D1–3
Removal and Installation of Battery .......... 6D1–4

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

There are six battery fluid caps at the top of the
battery. These are covered by a paper label.
The battery is completely sealed except for the six
small vent holes at the side. These vent holes per-
mit the escape of small amounts of gas generated
by the battery.
This type of battery has the following advantages
over conventional batteries:

1.

There is no need to add water during the entire
service life of the battery.

2.

The battery protects itself against overcharging.
The battery will refuse to accept an excessive
charge.
(A conventional battery will accept an excessive
charge, resulting in gassing and loss of battery
fluid.)

3.

The battery is much less vulnerable to self-
discharge than a conventional type battery.

DIAGNOSIS

1. VISUAL INSPECTION

Inspect the battery for obvious physical damage,
such as a cracked or broken case, which would
permit electrolyte loss.
Replace the battery if obvious physical damage is
discovered during inspection.
Check for any other physical damage and correct it
as necessary. If not, proceed to Step 2.

2. HYDROMETER CHECK

There is a built-in hydrometer (Charge test indica-
tor) at the top of the battery. It is designed to be
used during diagnostic procedures.

Before trying to read the hydrometer, carefully
clean the upper battery surface.
If your work area is poorly lit, additional light may
be necessary to read the hydrometer.

a.

BLUE RING OR DOT VISIBLE – Go to Step
4.

b.

BLUE RING OR DOT NOT VISIBLE – Go to
Step 3. 

SECTION

6D1 – 2 ENGINE ELECTRICAL

3. FLUID LEVEL CHECK

The fluid level should be between the upper level
line and lower level line on side of the battery.

a.

CORRECT FLUID LEVEL – Charge the bat-
tery.

b.

BELOW LOWER LEVEL – Replace battery.

4. VOLTAGE CHECK

(1) Put voltmeter test leads to battery terminals.

a.

VOLTAGE IS 12.4V OR ABOVE – Go to
Step 5.

b.

VOLTAGE IS UNDER 12.4V – Go to proce-
dure (2) below.

(2) Determine fast charge amperage from specifi-

cation. (See Main Data and Specifications in
this section).
Fast charge battery for 30 minutes at amperage
rate no higher than specified value.
Take voltage and amperage readings after
charge.
a.

VOLTAGE IS ABOVE 16V AT BELOW 1/3 OF
AMPERAGE RATE – Replace battery.

b.

VOLTAGE IS ABOVE 16V AT ABOVE 1/3 OF
AMPERAGE RATE – Drop charging voltage
to 15V and charge for 10 - 15 hours.
Then go to Step 5.

c.

VOLTAGE IS BETWEEN 12V AND 16V –
Continue charging at the same rate for an
additional 3-1/2 hours. Then go to Step 5.

d.

VOLTAGE IS BELOW 12V – Replace battery.

5. LOAD TEST

(1) Connect a voltmeter and a battery load tester

across the battery terminals.

(2) Apply 300 ampere load for 15 seconds to

remove surface charge from the battery.
Remove load.

(3) Wait 15 seconds to let battery recover. Then

apply specified load from specifications (See
Main Data and Specifications in this section).
Read voltage after 15 seconds, then remove
load.
a.

VOLTAGE DOES NOT DROP BELOW THE
MINIMUM LISTED IS FOLLOWING TABLE –
The battery is good and should be returned
to service.

b.

VOLTAGE IS LESS THAN MINIMUM
LISTED – Replace battery.

ESTIMATED

MINIMUM

TEMPERATURE

VOLTAGE

°F

°C 

70

21

9.6

60

16

9.5

50

10

9.4

40

4

9.3

30

–1

9.1

20

–7

8.9

10

–12

8.7

0

–18

8.5

The battery temperature must be estimated by feel and by the
temperature the battery has been exposed to for the
preceding few hours.

ENGINE ELECTRICAL  6D1 – 3

BATTERY CHARGING

Observe the following safety precautions when
charging the battery:
1.

Never attempt to charge the battery when the
fluid level is below the lower level line on the
side of the battery. In this case, the battery
must be replaced.

2.

Pay close attention to the battery during the
charging procedure.
Battery charging should be discontinued or the
rate of charge reduced if the battery feels hot to
the touch.
Battery charging should be discontinued or the
rate of charge reduced if the battery begins to
gas or spew electrolyte from the vent holes.

3.

In order to more easily view the hydrometer
blue dot or ring, it may be necessary to jiggle or
tilt the battery.

4.

Battery temperature can have a great effect on
battery charging capacity.

5.

The sealed battery used on this vehicle may be
either quick-charged or slow-charged in the
same manner as other batteries.
Whichever method you decide to use, be sure
that you completely charge the battery. Never
partially charge the battery.

JUMP STARTING

JUMP STARTING WITH AN AUXILIARY
(BOOSTER) BATTERY

CAUTION:

Never push or tow the vehicle in an attempt to
start it. Serious damage to the emission system
as well as other vehicle parts will result.
Treat both the discharged battery and the
booster battery with great care when using
jumper cables. Carefully follow the jump
starting procedure, being careful at all times to
avoid sparking.

WARNING:

Failure to carefully follow the jump starting
procedure could result in the following:
1.

Serious personal injury, particulaly to
your eyes.

2.

Property damage from a battery explo-
sion, battery acid, or an electrical fire.

3.

Damage to the electronic components of
one or both vehicles particularly. 

Never expose the battery to an open flame or elec-
trical spark. Gas generated by the battery may catch
fire or explode.
Remove any rings, watches, or other jewelry before
working around the battery. Protect your eyes by
wearing an approved set of goggles.
Never allow battery fluid to come in contact with
your eyes or skin.
Never allow battery fluid to come in contact with
fabrics or painted surfaces.
Battery fluid is a highly corrosive acid.
Should battery fluid come in contact with your
eyes, skin, fabric, or a painted surface, immediately
and thoroughly rinse the affected area with clean
tap water.
Never allow metal tools or jumper cables to come
in contact with the positive battery terminal, or any
other metal surface of the vehicle. This will protect
against a short circuit.
Always keep batteries out of the reach of young
children.

JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE

1.

Set the vehicle parking brake.
If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, place the selector lever in the
“PARK” position.
If the vehicle is equipped with a manual trans-
mission place the shift lever in the “NEUTRAL”
position.
Turn “OFF” the ignition.
Turn “OFF” all lights and any other accessory
requiring electrical power.

2.

Look at the built-in hydrometer.
If the indication area of the built-in hydrometer
is completely clear, do not try to jump start.

3.

Attach the end of one jumper cable to the posi-
tive terminal of the booster battery.
Attach the other end of the same cable to the
positive terminal of the discharged battery.
Do not allow the vehicles to touch each other.
This will cause a ground connection, effectively
neutralizing the charging procedure.
Be sure that the booster battery has a 12 volt
rating.

4.

Attach one end of the remaining cable to the
negative terminal of the booster battery.
Attach the other end of the same cable to a
solid engine ground (such as the A/C com-
pressor bracket or the generator mounting
bracket) of the vehicle with the discharged bat-
tery.
This ground connection must be at least 450
mm (18 in) from the battery of the vehicle
whose battery is being charged.

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

6D1 – 4 ENGINE ELECTRICAL

WARNING:

Never attach the end of the jumper cable
directly to the negative terminal of the dead
battery. 

5.

Start the engine of the vehicle with the good
battery.
Make sure that all unnecessary electrical acces-
sories have been turned “OFF”.

6.

Start the engine of the vehicle with the dead
battery.

7.

To remove the jumper cables, follow the above
directions in the reverse order.
Be sure to first disconnect the negative cable
from the vehicle with the discharged battery.

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF THE
BATTERY

REMOVAL

1.

Negative cable

2.

Positive cable

3.

Retainer screw and rods

4.

Retainer

5.

Battery

INSTALLATION

To install the battery, follow the removal procedure
in the reverse order, noting the following points: 

1.

Make sure that the rod is hooked on the body
side.