Chrysler Stratus Convertible. Manual - part 227

cal current to operate various electrical systems in
the vehicle. The determination of whether a battery
is good or bad is made by its ability to accept a
charge. It also must supply high-amperage current
for a long enough period to be able to start the vehi-
cle. The capability of the battery to store electrical
current comes from a chemical reaction. This reac-
tion takes place between the sulfuric acid solution
(electrolyte) and the lead +/- plates in each cell of the
battery. As the battery discharges, the plates react
with the acid from the electrolyte. When the charging
system charges the battery, the water is converted to
sulfuric acid in the battery. The concentration of acid
in the electrolyte is measured as specific gravity
using a hydrometer. The specific gravity indicates the
battery’s state-of-charge.

The battery is vented to release gases that are cre-

ated when the battery is being charged and dis-
charged.

The battery must be completely charged, and the

battery side, posts, and cable terminals must be
cleaned before diagnostic procedures are performed.

Fig. 1 Battery

1 – (+) POLARITY SYMBOL
2 – (-) POLARITY SYMBOL
3 – NEGATIVE TERMINAL
4 – GROUP PLATES
5 – POSITIVE TERMINAL

BATTERY

8A - 1

BATTERY BLANKET HEATER

DESCRIPTION

The 110 volt A. C. blanket heater is used to

improve the battery cold start ability. The blanket
heater is used with Alaska and Canada cold weather
packages. It is wrapped around the battery and per-
manently left installed.

OPERATION

This vehicle has an electronic voltage regulator

which controls battery charging. ONLY CHRYSLER
approved battery blanket/block heater combination
should be used. It is designed to provide optimum
charging system performance in very cold ambient
temperatures below -17.8°C (0°F). The addition of an
aftermarket battery heater or engine block heater
will adversely affect battery charging and will result
in battery discharge or damage.

IGNITION OFF DRAW (IOD) FUSE

DESCRIPTION

The Ignition Off Draw (IOD) fuse is located in the

Junction Block cavity number 5. Removing this fuse
will help prevent the battery from discharging during
storage.

OPERATION

A completely normal vehicle will have a small

amount of current drain on the battery with the key
out of the ignition. It can range from 15 to 30 milli-
amperes after all the modules time out. If a vehicle
will not be operated for approximately a 20 days, the
IOD fuse should be disconnected to eliminate the
vehicle electrical drain on the battery.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

BATTERY BLANKET HEATER INSPECTION

(1) Remove battery. Refer to battery removal.
(2) Remove blanket heater from battery (Fig. 3).

WARNING: SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR
ELECTRICAL BURNS COULD RESULT IF THESE
PROCEDURES ARE NOT FOLLOWED.

(3) Clean battery blanket heater vinyl cover with a

baking soda solution and wipe dry.

(4) Inspect blanket heater for cuts, abrasion or

other damage. If heater is damaged replace. If OK,
go to Step 5.

(5) Lay heater flat and connect heater to vehicle’s

connector.

(6) Connect the power cord to a 110 volt AC source

for 3 minutes MAXIMUM.

(7) Disconnect voltage source from the power cord.
(8) Immediately feel the heater cover on the inside

it should be warm to the touch. If warm, heater is
OK. If not OK, go to Step 9.

(9) Using an Ohmmeter, connect a lead across the

two terminals.

(10) Check for a resistance value of 220 to 280

Ohms. If within the resistance value range the blan-
ket is OK. If not OK, replace blanket.

(11) Check extension cord to vehicle for voltage. If

extension cord is OK, go to Step 12. If not OK, repair
as necessary.

(12) Ensure heater receives voltage from extension

cord and power cord. If OK, replace heater. If not
OK, repair as necessary.

Fig. 2 Battery Blanket Heater

Fig. 3 Battery Blanket Heater

1 – BATTERY
2 – BATTERY BLANKET HEATER

8A - 2

BATTERY

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

BATTERY DISCHARGING

CAUSES OF BATTERY DISCHARGING

It is normal to have up to a 30 milliamperes con-

tinuous electrical draw ON the battery. This draw
will take place with the ignition in the OFF position,
and the courtesy, dome, storage compartments, and
engine compartment lights OFF. The continuous
draw is due to various electronic features or accesso-

ries that require electrical current with the ignition
OFF to function properly. When a vehicle is not used
over an extended period of approximately 20 days the
IOD fuse should be disconnected. The IOD fuse is
located in the Power Distribution Center and discon-
nection of this fuse will help prevent the battery from
discharge during storage. Refer to Battery Diagnosis
and Testing Table and to the proper procedures.

BATTERY DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

STEPS

POSSIBLE CAUSE

CORRECTION

VISUAL INSPECTION
CHECK FOR POSSIBLE
DAMAGE TO BATTERY AND
CLEAN BATTERY.

(1) LOOSE BATTERY POST,
CRACKED BATTERY COVER
OR CASE, LEAKS OR ANY
OTHER PHYSICAL.
(2) CLEAR EYE.

(1) REPLACE BATTERY
(2) REPLACE BATTERY

BATTERY OPEN CIRCUIT
VOLTAGE TEST

(1) BATTERY IS ABOVE 12.40
VOLTS
(2) BATTERY IS BELOW 12.40
VOLTS.

(1) PERFORM THE BATTERY LOAD
TEST.
(2) PERFORM BATTERY
CHARGING PROCEDURE

BATTERY CHARGED

(1) BATTERY ACCEPTED
CHARGE.
(2) BATTERY WILL NOT
ACCEPT CHARGE

(1) PERFORM BATTERY OPEN
CIRCUIT VOLTAGE TEST.
(2) PERFORM CHARGING A
COMPLETELY DISCHARGED
BATTERY PROCEDURE.

BATTERY LOAD TEST

(1) ACCEPTABLE MINIMUM
VOLTAGE.
(2) UNACCEPTABLE MINIMUM
VOLTAGE

(1) BATTERY IS OK TO PUT IN
USE, PERFORM BATTERY
IGNITION OFF DRAW TEST.
(2) REPLACE BATTERY AND
PERFORM BATTERY IGNITION OFF
DRAW TEST.

CHARGING A COMPLETELY
DISCHARGED BATTERY

(1) BATTERY ACCEPTED
CHARGE.
(2) BATTERY WILL NOT
ACCEPT CHARGE.

(1) PERFORM BATTERY OPEN
CIRCUIT VOLTAGE TEST.
(2) REPLACE BATTERY.

IGNITION OFF DRAW TEST

(1) IOD IS 15-30
MILLIAMPERES.
(2) IOD EXCEEDS 30
MILLIAMPERES.

(1) VEHICLE IS NORMAL.
(2) ELIMINATE EXCESS IOD DRAW.

ABNORMAL BATTERY DISCHARGING

• Corroded battery posts, cables or terminals.

• Loose or worn generator drive belt.

• Electrical loads that exceed the output of the

charging system due to equipment or accessories
installed after delivery.

• Slow driving speeds in heavy traffic conditions

or prolonged idling with high-amperage electrical
systems in use.

• Defective electrical circuit or component causing

excess Ignition Off Draw (IOD). Refer to Ignition Off
Draw (IOD).

• Defective charging system.

• Defective battery.

BATTERY LOAD TEST

A fully charged battery must have cranking capac-

ity. To provide the starter motor and ignition system
enough power to start the engine over a broad range
of ambient temperatures. A battery load test will ver-
ify the actual cranking capability of the battery.

BATTERY

8A - 3

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

WARNING: IF BATTERY SHOWS SIGNS OF FREEZ-
ING, LEAKING, LOOSE POSTS, OR EXCESSIVELY
LOW ELECTROLYTE LEVEL, DO NOT TEST. ACID
BURNS

EXPLOSIVE

CONDITION

MAY

RESULT.

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

remote cable first. Then disconnect and isolate the
positive Jump Start cable.

(2) Use a suitable Volt/Ammeter/Load tester con-

nected between remote battery terminals (Fig. 4) and
(Fig. 5). Check the open circuit voltage of the battery.
Voltage should be equal to or greater than 12.4 volts.
If below 12.4 volts charge battery, perform the same
test at the battery. Remove both battery cables the
negative cable first. If the voltage is still below 12.4
perform Battery Charging procedures.

(3) Rotate the load control knob of the carbon pile

rheostat to apply a 260 amp load. Apply this load for
15 seconds to remove the surface charge from the
battery, and return the control knob to off (Fig. 6).

(4) Allow the battery to stabilize for two minutes,

and then verify open circuit voltage.

(5) Rotate the load control knob on the tester to

maintain 50% (260) of the battery cold crank rating
for a minimum 15 seconds (Fig. 7).

(6) After 15 seconds, record the loaded voltage

reading and return the load control to off.

(7) Voltage drop will vary according to battery

temperature at the time of the load test. Battery
temperature can be estimated by the temperature of
exposure over the preceding several hours. If the bat-
tery has been charged, boosted, or loaded a few min-
utes prior to the test, the battery would be slightly
warmer. Refer to Battery Load Test Temperatures
Table for proper loaded voltage reading.

(8) If battery passes load test, it is in good condi-

tion and further tests are not necessary. If it fails
load test, it should be replaced.

Fig. 4 Volt-Ammeter-Load Tester

Fig. 5 Volt-Ammeter-Load Tester Connections

1 – NEGATIVE CLAMP
2 – INDUCTION AMPMETER CLAMP
3 – POSITIVE CLAMP

Fig. 6 Remove Surface Charge from Battery

Fig. 7 Load 50% Cold Crank Rating

8A - 4

BATTERY

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

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