So Fix it

Gel cell batteries provide advantages over lead-acid wet cell batteries, but there are also safety hazards associated with them.

Differences Between "Wet" and "Gel" Cell Batteries

Lead-acid batteries are all similar; lead plates are connected in cells and surrounded by an acid that creates a chemical reaction resulting in an electrical voltage. Water must be added periodically to maintain a liquid level in a wet cell. A gel cell also contains acid, but it has been gelled and sealed in the battery case. No maintenance is needed. The battery may be placed in different positions without fear of leakage.

Charging Safety for Gel Batteries

If too high a charging voltage is applied, the case can be over-pressurized and can explode. A charger designed for gel batteries should always be used.

Other Safety Considerations

Never allow any open flames or smoking when charging gel cell batteries. Never allow the positive and negative terminals of the battery to be directly connected, for example from a dropped tool. The direct connection can result in an explosion. Replace leaking batteries. Protect your skin and eyes from acid.

Removing the neutral safety switch from your Jeep Cherokee may be necessary if you have to wiggle or otherwise manipulate the transmission shifter for the engine to start. The neutral safety switch is designed to keep the engine from starting with the transmission in gear. If the switch fails, the Jeep may start, but more often, the Jeep will not turn over at all. Replacement neutral safety switches are available from any auto parts store and through the Jeep dealer network.

Instructions

1

Raise the front of the Jeep off the ground with a jack and position a set of jack stands under the frame to support the vehicle while working under it. Slide under the passengers side of the Jeep and locate the neutral safety switch on the side of the transmission just above the transmission oil pan.

2

Position a drain pan under the switch then depress the locking tab on the wiring harness connection where it meets the switch. Pull the connector loose and set it aside.

3

Place a wrench on the hex-shaped portion of the switch and turn it counterclockwise until the switch is free of the transmission case. Pull the switch straight out of the case.

The neutral safety switch on the 1997 Dodge Dakota prevents the truck from being accidentally started in any other position than park or neutral. This prevents the vehicle from being started in gear and taking off which could cause an accident since the brake pedal does not need to be applied in order to turn the engine over. Like on many other domestic vehicles, the switch on the Dakota also accounts for the back-up light switch. The center terminal in the plug on the switch is for the neutral safety switch and the the two on either side of it is for each back-up light.

Instructions

1

Drive the 1997 Dodge Dakota slowly up onto two car ramps and apply the parking brake. Turn the engine off and remove the keys.

2

Put on a pair of safety glasses and crawl underneath the Dakota and locate the transmission behind the engine (and the transfer case on four-wheel drive models).

3

Locate the neutral safety switch on the drivers side lower housing of the transmission. It will have a wire harness plugged into it and underneath the plug, the switch will offer a hex-head in order to remove it from the transmission with a socket and ratchet.

4

Prep the replacement neutral safety switch with thread seal compound or tape on the threads and set it aside in a handy location without getting the threads contaminated with dirt or grease from under the truck.

5

Place the drain pan beneath the neutral safety switch position in the transmission housing.

6

Disconnect the wire harness from the neutral safety switch plug.

7

Loosen the neutral safety switch with the socket and a ratchet until it can be spun/removed my hand. Place the ratchet and socket down, but do not remove the switch yet.

8

Get the replacement neutral safety switch ready in one hand while removing the old switch with the other hand. Transmission fluid is going to start to pour from the switch port when it is removed. Remove the old switch and hand thread the new one in as quickly as possible to prevent losing too much transmission fluid.

9

Tighten the neutral safety switch to 25 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and socket.

10

Crawl out from under the truck with all the tools. Release the parking brake and slowly back down off the car ramps.

11

Run the engine allowing it enough time to reach operating temperature (inspect the temperature gauge regularly--it could take up to 20-minutes or so). In the interim, hop in the drivers seat and place a foot on the brake pedal while shifting through all the gears periodically.

12

Open the hood with the engine running and remove the transmission oil dipstick (red or black handled--do not confuse it with the yellow handled engine oil dipstick tube. Wipe the dipstick clean and look at the bottom of the dipstick for the hash-mark indicating "Full." If necessary, add transmission fluid through the dipstick tube using a funnel, but only add a little at a time. Allow a few minutes in between rechecking the level of the fluid so the new fluid is allowed to drain down into the transmission pan from the dipstick tube.