Jeep Cherokee XJ 1999 Manual - page 6
Battery Diagnosis
Condition
Possible Causes
Correction
The battery state-of-charge
cannot be maintained.
1. The battery has an
incorrect size or rating for
this vehicle.
2. The battery terminal
connections are loose or
corroded.
3. The generator drive belt is
slipping.
4. The electrical system
ignition-off draw is excessive.
5. The battery is faulty.
6. The starting system is
faulty.
7. The charging system is
faulty.
8. Electrical loads exceed the
output of the charging
system.
9. Slow driving or prolonged
idling with high-amperage
draw systems in use.
1. Refer to Battery in the Specifications section of
this group. Replace an incorrect battery with the
correct battery.
2. Refer to Voltage Drop Test in the Diagnosis
and Testing section of this group. Clean and
tighten the battery terminal connections, if
required.
3. Refer to Accessory Drive Belt Diagnosis in the
Diagnosis and Testing section of Group 7 -
Cooling System for more information. Replace or
adjust the generator drive belt, if required.
4. Refer to Ignition-Off Draw Test in the Diagnosis
and Testing section of this group. Repair the
electrical system, if required.
5. Determine the battery cranking capacity. Refer
to Load Test in the Diagnosis and Testing section
of this group. Replace the battery, if required.
6. Determine if the starting system is performing
to specifications. Refer to Starting System in the
Diagnosis and Testing section of Group 8B -
Starting Systems for more information. Repair the
starting system, if required.
7. Determine if the charging system is performing
to specifications. Refer to Charging System in the
Diagnosis and Testing section of Group 8C -
Charging System for more information. Repair the
charging system, if required.
8. Inspect the vehicle for aftermarket electrical
equipment which might cause excessive electrical
loads.
9. Advise the vehicle operator, as required.
The battery will not accept a
charge.
1. The battery is faulty.
1. Refer to Battery Charging in the Service
Procedures section of this group. Replace the
faulty battery, if required.
ABNORMAL BATTERY DISCHARGING
Any of the following conditions can result in abnor-
mal battery discharging:
1. Corroded or loose battery posts and terminal
clamps.
2. A loose or worn generator drive belt.
3. Electrical loads that exceed the output of the
charging system. This can be due to equipment
installed after manufacture, or repeated short trip
use.
4. Slow driving speeds (heavy traffic conditions) or
prolonged idling, with high-amperage draw systems
in use.
5. A faulty circuit or component causing excessive
ignition-off draw. Refer to Ignition-Off Draw Test
in the Diagnosis and Testing section of this group for
more information.
6. A faulty or incorrect charging system compo-
nent. Refer to Charging System in the Diagnosis
and Testing section of Group 8C - Charging System
for more information.
7. A faulty or incorrect battery.
TESTING
BUILT-IN TEST INDICATOR
A test indicator (hydrometer) built into the top of
the battery case provides visual information for bat-
tery testing (Fig. 2). Like a hydrometer, the built-in
test indicator measures the specific gravity of the
electrolyte. The test indicator reveals the battery
state-of-charge; however, it will not reveal the crank-
ing capacity of the battery. A load test must be per-
formed to determine the battery cranking capacity.
8A - 6
BATTERY
XJ
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)