So Fix it

The Duramax diesel engine is fitted in heavy duty trucks made by General Motors. The battery can be the cause of problems within the engine for a variety of reasons, and while the battery sometimes has to be replaced, you may be able to top up the battery fluid and get it working again. The battery itself is not particularly complicated, but it does contain some toxic chemicals so often it is better to purchase a replacement than attempt a repair yourself.

Instructions

1

Park your diesel truck on level ground and open the hood. Locate the battery. In some models it is hidden under a plastic cover. Remove the plastic cover by undoing the clips. You may need to use the screwdriver to pry open the clips.

2

Disconnect the black, negative terminal from the battery by loosening the nut on the clamp and pulling the clamp up and off the battery terminal. Disconnect the red positive terminal by loosening the nut holding the clamp in place and lifting the wire off the terminal.

3

Remove the clamp or bar holding the battery in place by loosening both nuts. Grasp the battery with both hands, remove it from the vehicle and set it on a work bench or similar.

4

On top of the battery are two rectangular covers. Pry these up with the flathead screwdriver and set them aside. They are very tight and they have acid underneath so be very caul the acid does not splash on you or anything around you. Some batteries may not have the cover in place. These are not fixable and have to be replaced.

5

Pour distilled water into the battery until the acid and water completely covers the terminals. Replace the covers on top of the battery by pushing down firmly. Replace the battery in the vehicle.

6

Replace the clamp or bar over the top of the battery and tighten the nuts to hold it in place. Replace the clamp over the positive (red) terminal and tighten the nut to hold it in place. Do the same with the negative (black) terminal

7

Replace the plastic cover over the battery, close the hood and start the truck to make sure the battery works. If the battery was dead before you started then you may need to jump start the truck.

Working with a battery can be messy and dangerous due to the acid and corrosion that is typically present in a battery. Spilling the acid on your clothes will likely ruin them, while getting it in your eyes is extremely dangerous. Baking soda can effectively neutralize the corrosive nature of battery acid and washing your clothes in a solution of baking soda and water can also minimize the damage from a spill.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the battery from the device it has been in and/or from any terminals.

2

Combine three parts baking soda and one part water to form a paste.

3

Use the paste and one damp cloth to scrub the battery terminals and clean any corrosion from the inside of the battery connectors.

4

Use the second damp cloth to wipe off any excess paste that remains on the battery.

5

Allow the battery to air dry before re-inserting it into a device and/or connecting it to terminals.

Car batteries store chemical energy and convert it into electrical energy as needed.



The automotive battery industry rates performance under simulated loads to gauge battery capacity and condition. The chemical reaction within a battery is less efficient at lower temperatures, so cold-weather operation is factored into battery cranking ability.



The Battery Council International maintains the various testing standards discussed in this article.

Cold Cranking Amps

Cold cranking amps shows the batterys ability to start an engine in cold temperatures. It is defined as the number of amps a fully charged 12-Volt battery can deliver at zero degrees Fahrenheit for 30 seconds, while maintaining at least 7.2 Volts.

Cranking Amps

Cranking amps is a similar rating that gauges battery performance while cranking at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The CA number will always be higher than the CCA value, because lower temperatures in the CCA test reduce reaction efficiency inside the battery.

Reserve Capacity

Reserve capacity tells you how long the battery can keep the headlights on and vehicle running if the charging system is not working. This test uses a reference temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The discharge rate for this test is 25 amps, and the timer stops when battery strength slips below 10.5 Volts.

Ampere Hours

Ampere hour expresses how long a fully charged battery can provide an unchanging current before the voltage drops under 10.5 V. This test shows the batterys ability to undergo a slow but steady drain.

Removing the battery tray from your 1997 Dodge Caravan may be necessary if the tray has cracks or damage that may compromise the integrity of the tray. The tray is made of plastic, and has to not only support the battery but also retain it to the engine compartment of the van. The battery hold down is an integral part of the tray and if it fails, the battery may come out of the tray, causing damage to the battery, the cables or part of the engine.

Instructions

1

Locate the negative battery cable on the top of the battery. Loosen the clamp bolt with a wrench, then remove the cable from the battery.

2

Loosen the clamp bolt on the positive battery cable with a wrench and remove it as well. Isolate the battery cables so that they are out of the way and cannot fall back against the battery.

3

Locate the retaining clamp and bolt near the bottom of the battery on the inboard side of the tray. Remove the nut from the retaining clamp with a socket, extension bar and ratchet. Remove the retaining clamp and lift the battery out of the van.

4

Locate the three retaining bolts that hold the battery tray into the van. There are two in the base of the tray and a third just to the front of the retaining clamp location. Remove the two in the tray with a socket and ratchet then set them aside.

5

Remove the third retaining bolt with a wrench, set the bolt aside, and lift the tray out of the engine compartment.

A bad terminal connection can cause the battery to not work. It is definitely worth the effort to check the terminals because it is easier and less expensive to replace the connectors and clean the terminal posts than to buy a new battery.

Failed Electricity

A defective terminal connection prevents the battery from providing electricity to your car, which may result in electrical systems working poorly or not at all. The lights may become dim and the starter may not be able to start the engine.

Corrosion

A bad battery terminal can cause a build-up of a powder-like substance around the post of the battery terminal. This corrosion can cause a batterys poor connection. You can disconnect the battery cables, negative then positive, and scrub the terminal posts and connectors with a mixture of baking soda and water to remove the corrosion.

Poor Charging

If malfunctioning terminals are preventing a good connection to the battery, the alternator will not be able to properly recharge the battery. This could cause the battery to appear dead.

A car battery has a positive and negative post. Most cars have negative grounds, which means there is a large cable connecting the negative post to the engine block. The positive cable carries electricity to the starter and other vital places like the lights.

Battery Function

The battery provides a direct current to start the engine. Once the engine is running, all electrical energy is derived from the rotation of the alternator. During normal operation, the alternator not only provides alternating current to operate the various electrical units, but it also directs a small amount of electricity back to the battery for recharging.

Wire Parts

Battery cable wires have two basic parts. Tightly-wrapped strands of copper wire create an inner conductive unit, which is encased in a waterproof plastic material that acts as an insulator. When buying wire for battery cables, be aware of smaller gauge wires wrapped in heavy insulation, which may appear to be heavier than their actual size.

Actual Wire Size

The cables that conduct the direct current from the two battery posts to the block for grounding and to the starter to engage the engine draw the biggest current. These wires should be four-gauge. The wire from the positive post to the alternator is usually eight-gauge.

Batteries can generate explosive hydrogen gases when charging, so its important to understand how to use the Everstart 12-amp car battery charger correctly. An Everstart battery charger will bring your battery back to life, if the battery has undamaged cells and will accept a charge. Everstart chargers, which are no longer being manufactured, are older battery chargers that come in different models. Some are made specifically for charging boating and recreational vehicle batteries, car batteries, farm equipment and motorcycle batteries, while others are made for charging any battery type. A 12-amp Everstart battery charger can also be adjusted for a lower trickle charge if needed and set to charge either a 6- or 12-volt battery.

Instructions

Automatic Charging

1

Verify the type of battery in your vehicle. Some batteries are maintenance-free and require replacement rather than charging. Ensure your battery will accept a charge before proceeding. The basic difference between the two battery types is that a maintenance-free battery is a sealed battery with no way to refill the battery with water. These types of batteries require replacement.

2

Identify the negative battery post on the battery -- it is the post marked "-." Detach the vehicles negative cable using an appropriately sized open-end wrench. Set the cable aside. Repeat for the positive battery post and cable.

3

Remove the battery maintenance caps from the battery and check the batterys fluid levels. If low, add distilled water to the battery until the water reaches the bottom of where the cap inserts. Replace the caps.

4

Place the battery charger as far away as possible from the battery, at least the distance of the chargers cables.

5

Plug in the battery charger, but dont turn it on.

6

Attach the chargers red cable to the positive battery post identified with a "+" near the battery post. Attach the negative or black cable to the engines frame. Do not attach the negative cable to the carburetor, fuel lines or sheet metal on the vehicle.

7

Adjust the amperage and volt settings to match the battery being charged. For instance, if charging a 12-volt battery, select 12-volt and the amperage charge, if charging a 6-volt battery, slide the button to the 6-volt setting. For amperage, choose the amperage at which to charge the battery. Everstart chargers equipped with a 12-amp charge capacity will also have the ability to set the amperage at a lower, "trickle" charge and "medium" charge setting. Slide the switch to a 2-amp charge or "trickle" charge, as this is the most effective means of charging your battery. It will take longer to charge, however, it is the safest means of charging a battery. Slower amperage charges also prolong the batterys life.

8

Turn the battery charger on. When the charger is done charging, it will automatically quit charging the battery. Turn the charger off.

9

Unplug the Everstart battery charger and remove the charger cables from the battery, ensuring not to touch the cables between both posts. Reattach the vehicles negative cable to the batterys negative post first using an appropriately sized open-end wrench and then reattach the positive cable.

Manual Operation

10

Follow Steps 1 through 7 in the previous section to hook up the manual battery charger.

11

Turn the battery on.

12

Review the amps section of the dial to determine how many amps the battery is accepting. As the battery charges, the amperage will return to "0." Because the battery charger will not shut off, you will need to pay attention to the dial on the battery charger. Unplug the charger when the amperage reaches "0." If the battery will not accept a charge after first turning on the battery charger, and it continues to read "0" amps, the battery has dead cells and will require replacement.

In a correctly functioning vehicle, the battery provides temporary power to start the engine and run accessories like the lights and radio when the engine is switched off. The alternator, on the other hand, provides electricity to power all of the cars functions while the engine is running and also recharges the battery. If the alternator fails the battery will die, since it is not getting recharged. The only permanent solution to this problem is to get a new alternator but you can recharge the battery in the mean time.

Instructions

1

Jump start your car. If your battery is dead, you can provide a temporary charge to the battery using jumper cables. Connect the cables to a running vehicle and then to your battery. Leave the cables attached for several minutes and have the driver of the working vehicle press down on the accelerator while their vehicle is in park. This will provide a surge of electricity to your battery. Start your car and disconnect the cables.

2

Connect your battery to a portable car battery charger. Make sure the charger is fully charged then attach the red clip to the positive terminal of your battery and the black clip to the negative terminal. The amount of time it will take for the battery to fully recharge will vary depending on the strength of your charger. A ten amp charger will usually take 45 minutes to recharge. Consult your chargers manual for specific recharge times.

3

Connect your battery to a wall charger. If you do not have a portable charger you can connect it to a charger that plugs into an outlet. You can use an extension chord if it is not raining to charge your battery while it is still in the car or remove the battery. Pull the battery out and take it to where your charger is. Make sure it is sitting on a level surface while it charges. Connect the black clamp to the negative terminal and the red clamp to the positive terminal. The LED light on the charger will turn green when the battery is fully charged.

4

Make your own trickle charger. If you do not have a wall charger you can make a trickle charger using a 12V appliance or cell phone charging chord. Simply cut off the connector on the end then seperate the two wires that make up the cable and pull them apart. Strip the ends of the wires. Use a multimeter to determine which wire has the negative charge. Attach a black alligator clip to it. Attach a red alligator clip to the other wire. Clamp the clips onto the battery and plug it it. A 12V charger will take about 12 hours to recharge a dead battery.

Disconnecting the battery cables from the battery on your Chevy S10 pickup is necessary anytime you are working on the engine or electrical system in your truck. The cables come off very quickly and will ensure the engine cannot get accidentally started or cranked over while you are working around moving parts or parts that could become suddenly energized. If you are replacing a battery in your S10, you will need to remove the cables as well.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of the truck and locate the battery on the passengers side of the truck. Loosen the clamp bolt on the negative battery cable end with a wrench.

2

Lift the negative battery cable off the negative battery terminal and isolate the cable away from the battery. Loosen the clamp bolt on the positive battery cable end with a wrench the lift the cable off the battery.

3

Isolate the positive battery cable from the battery terminals while you work. Since the cables are no longer connected to the battery, they can be secured away from the battery together with no risk.

Without a fully functional battery, no motorcycle is operational. As goes the battery, so goes a bikes performance. While removing the battery from most motorcycles requires you to simply access the battery compartment below the bikes seat and disconnect the terminal wires, Harley Sportster 1200s designed the battery compartment such that the negative terminal is directly connected to the bikes frame. Consequently, removing the battery from a Sportster 1200 Low is a slightly more complicated procedure than it is with most other motorcycles.

Instructions

1

Remove the black plastic cover for the battery compartment. The cover is located underneath the seat on the left side of the bike. Remove it by gently pulling on the top of the cover to unsnap its top clip. This should allow you to easily remove the entire cover and set it aside.

2

Slide the plastic electronic battery harness to the right of the battery to access the negative terminal.

3

Remove the bracket connecting the negative ("-") terminal to the frame of your Sportster with a socket wrench. The negative terminal grounds the battery. Removing it first will allow you to remove the wires connecting the positive ("+") terminal without shocking yourself.

4

Pull the wires connected to the positive terminal off by hand.

5

Cover the negative terminal with black electrical tape. This will protect you against accidentally touching the terminal to the frame, thereby grounding the battery and potentially shocking yourself.

6

Slide the battery out of the compartment.

Car batteries often drain or die for any number of reasons, whether its simply because the battery is old or because you accidentally left the headlights on overnight. When the battery does drain, a battery charger can prove an invaluable piece of equipment. There is a broad array of chargers on the market, each with an assortment of features and for varying prices. Most battery chargers, however, can be hooked up to a battery using the same technique.

Instructions

1

Access the battery. If the battery is still in the vehicle, remove any guards protecting the terminals. You may need a screwdriver or small wrench to remove these guards. If the battery is out of the vehicle, simply place it on a sturdy work bench or table.

2

Place the positive clamp on the charger onto the positive post of the battery. Positive clamps and battery terminals are typically marked with the color red and a plus (+) symbol. Negative clamps and terminals are marked with black and a minus (-) symbol. If the battery remains in the vehicle, attach the negative charger clamp to a non-painted metal bracket or bolt. If the battery has been removed from the vehicle, attach the negative charger clamp directly onto the negative battery post.

3

Check the volt and amp settings on the charger. Some chargers will allow you to adjust for voltage and amperage. For a car battery, you want to make sure the charger is set to 12 volts. As for amperage, the lower the amps, the longer it will take to charge the battery. Use a low-amp setting to fully recharge the battery. If you want to start the vehicle immediately, use a high-amp setting.

4

Plug the battery chargers power cord into an electrical outlet and allow the battery to charge. Again, the exact time needed to charge the battery will depend on the chargers settings and how severely the battery has been drained. Most chargers will have an indicator light or gauge that will let you know when the battery has received a full charge. If you have an automatic charger, it should shut off once the battery is charged.

5

Turn the chargers power switch off after the battery has been fully charged. Then unplug the charger and disconnect the clamps from the battery. Remove the negative clamp first, followed by the positive clamp.