• For 2019 and Newer North American Vehicle only a OEM (as built with) reference table available in SI under General Information > General Information > 12 V Battery Usage.
• The correct Battery Type MUST be selected when setting up the test. Selecting the incorrect Battery Type may lead to a false “Battery is bad” result for a good battery. Refer to the link below under Reference Information for 12 V Battery Usage tables.
• The charging area should be well ventilated.
• Do not charge a battery that appears to be frozen. Allow the battery to warm to room temperature and test it using the before charging.
• An AGM battery may be damaged if charged to more than 14.5 V.
• A Flooded Cell battery may be damaged if charged to more than 16.5 V.

Starting and Charging Schematics

Master Electrical Component List

Battery Description and Operation

• Circuit Testing
• Connector Repairs
• Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
• Wiring Repairs

Control Module References for scan tool information

• DCA-8000 Midtronics Battery Tester/Charger
• DCBS EL–52800 E-XTEQ Diagnostic Charge Battery Station
• GR8 EL–50313 Midtronics Battery Tester/Charger

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools

The maintenance-free batteries state of charge is estimated by reading the voltage of the battery across the battery terminals. Because the voltage is affected by current flow into or out of the battery, the vehicle must be in the OFF Mode and all electrical loads turned OFF, including parasitic loads, when checking the voltage. The voltage can also be affected if the battery has just been charged or discharged, so it is important to consider what has happened to the battery in the time just before testing. Use the following procedure to determine the battery's state of charge:

1. Be sure all electrical loads are turned OFF.
2. Determine whether the battery has been used in a vehicle or charged within the past 12 hours.
• If the answer is no, the terminal voltage will be stabilized and no action is necessary before reading the voltage. Skip to step 3.
• If the answer is yes, terminal voltage will not be stabilized and you should wait 12 hours since the last time the battery was used.
3. Estimate the battery temperature by determining the average temperature to which the battery has been exposed for the past 12 hours.

Note: The table is accurate to 10% only after the battery has been at rest for 12 hours.

4. Measure the battery voltage at the battery terminals. Refer to the following table to determine the state of charge according to the estimated battery temperature:

Use the state of charge information as follows:

• A battery with a state of charge that is below 65% must always be recharged before returning it to service or continuing storage.
• A battery with a state of charge that is 65% or greater is generally considered to be charged enough in order to be returned to normal service or in order to continue storage. However, if the battery is being used in slow traffic or with short drive times, or if the temperature is very hot or very cold, the battery should be fully charged, to at least 90%, before returning it to service or continuing storage.

The time required to charge a battery will vary depending upon the following factors:

• The battery charger capacity—The higher the charger amperage, the less time it will take to charge the battery.
• The state of charge of the battery—A completely discharged battery requires more than twice as much charging time as a half charged battery. In a discharged battery with a voltage below 11 V, the battery has a very high internal resistance and may only accept a very low current at first. Later, as the charging current causes the acid content to increase in the electrolyte, the charging current will increase. Extremely discharged batteries may not activate the reversed voltage protection in some chargers. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for operating this circuitry.
• The temperature of the battery—The colder the battery is, the more time it takes to recharge the battery. The charging current accepted by a cold battery is very low at first. As the battery warms, the charging current will increase.

When charging side-terminal batteries with the battery cables connected, connect the charger to the positive cable bolt and to a ground located away from the battery. When charging side-terminal batteries with the battery cables disconnected, install the battery side terminal adapters and connect the charger to the adapters.

1. Ensure that all of the battery terminal connections are clean and tight.
2. Connect the charger positive lead to the battery positive terminal on the battery or the remote jumper stud underhood.

Caution: Do not connect the negative charger lead to the housings of other vehicle electrical accessories or equipment. The action of the battery charger may damage such equipment.

3. Connect the negative charger lead to the ground stud that is connected directly to the battery negative terminal, but away from the battery. If the negative battery cable is disconnected and a terminal adapter is being used, connect directly to the adapter.
4. Select “In Vehicle Charge” when setting up the test.

Note: When using the VIN scan feature you must always verify that the battery label information matches what is auto-populated.

5. Use the VIN Scan feature or manually select the proper battery type: Flooded, or AGM.
6. Verify the CCA as shown on the battery label.
7. Enter the correct rated amp hours (Ah) of the battery.
8. Follow the on screen instructions to complete charging.

1. Ensure that all of the battery terminal connections are clean and tight.
2. Connect the charger positive lead to the battery positive terminal on the battery or the remote jumper stud underhood.

Caution: Do not connect the negative charger lead to the housings of other vehicle electrical accessories or equipment. The action of the battery charger may damage such equipment.

3. Connect the negative charger lead to the ground stud that is connected directly to the battery negative terminal, but away from the battery. If the negative battery cable is disconnected and a terminal adapter is being used, connect directly to the adapter.

Note: When using the VIN scan feature you must always verify that the battery label information matches what is auto-populated.

4. Use the VIN Scan feature or manually select the proper battery type: Flooded, or AGM.
5. Verify the CCA as shown on the battery label.
6. Select “Fast Charge” (rabbit icon).
7. Select appropriate location of charging clamps (Battery Terminals or Jump Start Post).
8. Follow the on screen instructions to complete charging.

1. Ensure that all of the battery terminal connections are clean and tight.
2. Connect the charger positive lead to the battery positive terminal on the battery or the remote jumper stud underhood.

Caution: Do not connect the negative charger lead to the housings of other vehicle electrical accessories or equipment. The action of the battery charger may damage such equipment.

3. Connect the negative charger lead to the ground stud that is connected directly to the battery negative terminal, but away from the battery. If the negative battery cable is disconnected and a terminal adapter is being used, connect directly to the adapter.

Note: Top-Off Mode charging can be utilized to top off a good battery to capacity after a completed charge session.

4. Select ”Charging,” "Diagnostic”, “In Vehicle” when setting up the charger.

Note:

• The correct Battery Type MUST be selected when setting up the test. Selecting the incorrect Battery Type may lead to a false “Battery is bad” result for a good battery.
• If there is a discrepancy between the Battery usage tables and the actual battery always use the information printed on the battery label, Refer to the parts catalog to verify the correct battery is installed in the vehicles.

5. Select the proper battery type, AGM, Enter the CCA as shown on the battery label or Refer to: 12 V Battery Usage.
6. Follow the on screen instructions to complete charging.