Battery Inspection/Test

Battery Inspection/Test

Tools Required

J42000 Battery Tester

Diagnostic Aids

Important:

* Failure to properly understand the battery and its function could lead to a misdiagnosis and unneeded repairs. Refer to Battery Description and Operation and Battery Common Causes of Failure for more information.

* If testing an AGM battery with the J42000, add 100 to the CCA rating of the battery and enter that amount into the tester when prompted for the CCA rating. For instance, if the AGM batteries CCA rating is 500 amps, enter 600 into the J42000. Perform this modification only if the J42000 does not ask if you are testing an AGM battery. If these instructions are not followed when testing an AGM battery, an invalid test result and invalid test code will be obtained on the J42000.

* The battery test using the J42000 requires correct connections to the battery terminals. A failure to obtain the correct connections during the test may result in a failed test on a good battery.

* When the J42000 inquires "has the battery been charged", answer yes only if the battery was charged on this visit to the dealership.

Follow these instructions in order to avoid an incorrect diagnosis because of connections:

* If testing the vehicle with the battery cables still connected, wiggle the J42000 clips on the terminal (top post battery) or terminal bolt (side terminal battery). This may cut through any coating or through any oxidation that may be present on the terminal or bolt.
Even a new terminal or bolt may contain a protective coating that can insulate or cause a resistance in the test circuit.
* If correct connections to the battery terminal bolts (side terminal battery) in the vehicle are in doubt, perform the following steps:
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Disconnect the positive battery cable.
3. Install the test adapters on the terminals.
4. Follow the instructions for an Out-of-Vehicle test.
* If the tester displays a REPLACE BATTERY or BAD CELL-REPLACE result for a battery tested in the vehicle with the battery cables connected, perform the following steps:
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Disconnect the positive battery cable.
3. Install the tester adapters on side terminal batteries.
4. Follow the instructions for an Out-of-Vehicle test.
5. Replace the battery only if the Out-of-Vehicle test shows a REPLACE BATTERY or BAD CELL-REPLACE result. This prevents battery replacements that are due only to faulty battery cable connections.
* Use the correct terminal adapters on side terminal batteries.
Do not use any common bolts or a combination of bolts, nuts, and or washers as adapters when testing the battery.
Use the test adapters that are provided with the J42000 or P/N 12303040 terminal adapters. If the adapters that are provided with the J42000 require replacement, use P/N 12303040. Any other adapter may not contact the correct areas of the battery terminal, causing a resistance that may result in an invalid battery test result.

Test

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