Automotive Technology/Battery and Starting System Diagnosis and Repair
- Perform battery state-of-charge test; determine needed service.
Usually a multimeter tell you battery voltage
- Perform battery tests (load and capacitance) determine needed service.
If the battery puts out half of the CCA, then it's considered good
- Maintain or restore electronic memory functions.
Resetting the clock can be difficult. Resetting a stereo or alarm system is worse. Put in a battery in the Power Jack and have at least nine volts(9v) to keep the modules alive
- Perform slow/fast battery charge in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations.
Observe safety precautions and use this battery charging technique
- Inspect, clean, repair and/or replace battery(ies), battery cables, connectors, clamps hold downs, and vent tubes.
Inspecting for damage takes a moment of your time to do right
- Jump-start a vehicle using jumper cables, a booster battery or auxiliary power supply.
Using this battery charging technique
- Perform starter current draw test; determine needed repairs.
Best done with an ammeter
- Perform starter circuit voltage drop tests; determine needed repairs.
A loss of half a volt is the maximum for a starter draw circuit
- Inspect, test, repair and/or replace starter, relays, solenoids, modules, switches, connectors, and wires of starter circuits.
Knowing basic starter operation will tell you if the solenoid or motor fails. Otherwise, you should be able to test the relays, wires, and safety switches.
- Differentiate between electrical and engine mechanical problems that cause a slow crank, no crank, extended cranking, or a cranking noise condition.