Spiral plate technology is the process by which the
plates holding the active material in the battery are
wound tightly in coils instead of hanging flat, like
conventional batteries. This design has a lower inter-
nal resistance and also increases the active material
surface area.
WARNING: NEVER EXCEED 14.4 VOLTS WHEN
CHARGING A SPIRAL PLATE BATTERY. PERSONAL
INJURY AND/OR BATTERY DAMAGE MAY RESULT.
Due to the maintanance-free design, distilled water
cannot be added to this battery. Therefore, if more
than 14.4 volts are used during the spiral plate bat-
tery charging process, water vapor can be exhausted
through the pressure-sensitive battery vents and lost
for good. This can permanently damage the spiral
plate battery. Never exceed 14.4 volts when charging
a spiral plate battery. Personal injury and/or battery
damage may result.
CONVENTIONAL BATTERY - GASOLINE ENGINE
Low-maintenance conventional batteries are used
on vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine, these
batteries have removable battery cell caps (Fig. 2).
Watercanbe added to this battery. Under normal
service, the composition of this battery reduces gas-
sing and water loss at normal charge rates. Howeverthese batteries may require additional distilled water
after years of service.
Conventional batteries are made up of six individ-
ual cells that are connected in series. Each cell con-
tains positive charged plate groups made of lead
oxide, and negatively charged plate groups made of
sponge lead. The plates are submerged in a sulfuric
acid and water solution called electrolyte.
Both batteries are used to store electrical energy
potential in a chemical form. When an electrical load
is applied to the battery terminals, an electrochemi-
cal reaction occurs within the battery. This reaction
causes the battery to discharge electrical current.
Refer to the RS service information for additional
Battery System information.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - CHECKING BATTERY
ELECTROLYTE LEVEL
The following procedure can be used to check the
electrolyte level in a lead-acid battery.
(1) Unscrew and remove the battery cell caps with
a flat-bladed screw driver (Fig. 3).
WARNING: NEVER PUT YOUR FACE NEAR A GAS-
SING, HOT OR SWELLED BATTERY. SERIOUS PER-
SONAL INJURY MAY RESULT.
(2) Wearing safety glasses, look through the bat-
tery cell cap holes to determine the level of the elec-
trolyte in the battery. The electrolyte should be above
the hooks inside the battery cells (Fig. 4).
Fig. 2 BATTERY CELL CAP REMOVAL/
INSTALLATION - LOW-MAINTANANCE GASOLINE
ENGINE BATTERY
1 - BATTERY CELL CAP
2 - BATTERY CASE
Fig. 3 BATTERY CELL CAP REMOVAL/
INSTALLATION- CONVENTIONAL BATTERY ONLY
1 - BATTERY CELL CAP
2 - BATTERY CASE
8Fa - 2 BATTERY SYSTEM - RG ONLYRG
BATTERY (Continued)
(3) Battery chargers vary in the amount of voltage
and current they provide. The amount of time
required for a battery to accept measurable charging
current at various voltages is shown in the Charge
Rate Table. If the charging current is still not mea-
surable at the end of the charging time, the battery
is faulty and must be replaced. If the charging cur-
rent is measurable during the charging time, the bat-
tery may be good and the charging should be
completed in the normal manner.
CHARGE RATE TABLE
Voltage Hours
14.4 volts maximum up to 4 hours
13.0 to 14 volts up to 8 hours
12.9 volts or less up to 16 hours
CHARGING TIME REQUIRED
The time required to charge a battery will vary,
depending upon the following factors:
²Battery Capacity- A completely discharged
heavy-duty battery requires twice the charging time
of a small capacity battery.
²Temperature- A longer time will be needed to
charge a battery at -18É C (0É F) than at 27É C (80É
F). When a fast battery charger is connected to a cold
battery, the current accepted by the battery will be
very low at first. As the battery warms, it will accept
a higher charging current rate (amperage).
²Charger Capacity- A battery charger that
supplies only five amperes will require a longer
charging time. A battery charger that supplies eight
amperes will require a shorter charging time.
²State-Of-Charge- A completely discharged bat-
tery requires more charging time than a partially
discharged battery. Electrolyte is nearly pure water
in a completely discharged battery. At first, the
charging current (amperage) will be low. As the bat-
tery charges, the specific gravity of the electrolyte
will gradually rise.
The Battery Charging Time Table gives an indica-
tion of the time required to charge a typical battery
at room temperature based upon the battery state-of-
charge and the charger capacity.
BATTERY CHARGING TIME TABLE
Charging
Amperage5 Amps 8 Amps
Open Circuit
VoltageHours Charging @ 21É
C (70É F)
12.25 to 12.49 6 hours 3 hours
12.00 to 12.24 10 hours 5 hours
BATTERY CHARGING TIME TABLE
Charging
Amperage5 Amps 8 Amps
Open Circuit
VoltageHours Charging @ 21É
C (70É F)
10.00 to 11.99 14 hours 7 hours
Below 10.00 18 hours 9 hours
BATTERY CABLES
REMOVAL
The battery cables on this model may include por-
tions of wiring circuits for the generator and other
components on the vehicle. If battery cable replace-
ment is required, it will be necessary to extract the
cables out of the engine wire harness assembly. Use
care not to damage the other wires and circuits
which are also packaged into the engine wire harness
assembly.
(1) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position. Be
certain that all electrical accessories are turned off.
(2) Disconnect and isolate the negative battery
cable terminal.
(3) Remove the battery thermal guard from the
battery tray (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY
SYSTEM/THERMAL GUARD - REMOVAL).
(4) Remove the tape from the engine wire harness
assembly, to access the desired battery cable.
(5) One at a time, trace and disconnect the battery
cable retaining fasteners and routing clips until the
desired cable is free from the vehicle.
(6) Feed the battery cable out of the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the battery cable in the vehicle.
(2) One at a time, trace and install the battery
cable retaining fasteners and routing clips until the
desired cable is properly installed in the engine wire
harness assembly.
(3) Install the tape on the engine wire harness
assembly.
(4) Install the battery thermal guard on the bat-
tery tray (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYS-
TEM/THERMAL GUARD - INSTALLATION).
(5) Connect the negative battery cable terminal.
8Fa - 4 BATTERY SYSTEM - RG ONLYRG
BATTERY (Continued)
CHARGING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
GENERATOR
REMOVAL...............................5INSTALLATION............................6
GENERATOR
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect the negative battery cable (Fig. 1).
(2) Remove the engine cover (Fig. 2).(3) Raise vehicle and support.
(4) Turn wheels to the right. Remove the right
front splash shield (Fig. 3).
(5) Remove the generator drive belt (Fig. 4).
Fig. 1 BATTERY CONNECTION
Fig. 2 ENGINE COVER
Fig. 3 SPLASH SHIELD
Fig. 4 GENERATOR BELT
RGCHARGING8Fa-5
(6) Lower vehicle.
(7) Disconnect the generator battery connection
(Fig. 5).
(8) Disconnect the field connection (Fig. 5).
(9) Relocate the wiring harness on upper generator
bracket (Fig. 6).
(10) Remove the Air Cleaner Box (Fig. 7).
(11) Remove the 2 lower mounting Bolts (Fig. 8).
(12) Remove generator.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install generator.
(2) Install the 2 lower mounting Bolts (Fig. 8).
(3) Install the Air Cleaner Box (Fig. 7).
(4) Install the upper support bracket (Fig. 6).
(5) Install the wiring harness on upper generator
bracket (Fig. 6).
(6) Connect the field connection (Fig. 5).
(7)
Connect the generator battery connection (Fig. 5).
(8) Raise vehicle and support.
(9) Install the generator drive belt (Fig. 4).
(10) Install the right front splash shield (Fig. 3).
(11) Lower vehicle.
(12) Install the engine cover (Fig. 2).
(13) Connect the negative battery cable (Fig. 1).
Fig. 5 GENERATOR CONNECTIONS
1 - BATTERY CONNECTION
2 - FIELD CONNECTION
Fig. 6 UPPER SUPPORT BRACKET
1 - WIRING HARNESS
2 - UPPER BRACKET
Fig. 7 AIR BOX REMOVED
Fig. 8 GENERATOR LOWER BOLTS
1 - LOWER MOUNTING BOLTS
8Fa - 6 CHARGINGRG
GENERATOR (Continued)
STARTING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
STARTER MOTOR
REMOVAL...............................7INSTALLATION............................7
STARTER MOTOR
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect the negative battery cable.
(2) Raise vehicle and support.
(3) Remove the lower engine splash shield.
(4) Remove the electrical connectors from the
starter (Fig. 1).
(5) Remove the starter mounting bolts (Fig. 2).
(6) Remove the starter.
INSTALLATION
(1) Raise vehicle and support.
(2) Install the starter.
(3) Install the starter mounting bolts (Fig. 2).
(4) Install the electrical connectors to the starter
(Fig. 1).
(5) Install the lower engine splash shield.
(6) Connect the negative battery cable.
(7) Lower vehicle.
Fig. 1 STARTER LOCATION
Fig. 2 STARTER MOUNTING BOLTS
1-STARTER
2 - MOUNTING BOLTS
RGSTARTING8Fa-7
OPERATION
The Rear Window Defogger (Fig. 1) system consists
of two vertical bus bars linked by a series of grid
lines on the inside surface of the rear window. The
electrical circuit consists of the rear defogger switch
in the HVAC control assembly and a relay with timer
switch to turn OFF the system after ten minutes.
The main feed circuit is protected by fuse 13 (40
amp) in the Power Distribution Center (PDC) which
is integrated as a unit call Integrated Power Module
(IPM). The rear defogger switch and relay also acti-
vates the heated power side view mirrors and heated
windshield wiper de-icer. The heated windshield
wiper de-icer is powered by the RUN/ACC relay in
the IPM and feed thru fuse #11 (20 amp) in the PDC.
The heated mirror circuit is protected by a non-servi-
cable Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) located
inside the PDC. The heated windshield wiper de-icer
circuit is protected by fuse 11 (20 amp) in the PDC.
The Heated Windshield Wiper Deicer is also acti-
vated when the DEFROST mode is selected on the
HVAC. In the DEFROST mode the rear defogger
relay/timer is bypassed, the heated windshield wiper
de-icer will stay ON until the another mode is
selected. For circuit information and component loca-
tion refer to appropriate section for Wiring Diagrams.
CAUTION:
Since grid lines can be damaged or scraped off
with sharp instruments, care should be taken in
cleaning the glass or removing foreign materials,
decals or stickers. Normal glass cleaning solvents
or hot water used with rags or toweling is recom-
mended.
DEFOGGER RELAY
DESCRIPTION
There is no heated glass relay it is integrated into
the (E.B.L) relay that is located in the IPM in the
engine compartment.
REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
GRID
STANDARD PROCEDURE - GRID LINE
REPAIR-REAR
For Grid repair procedure for the rear window
defogger (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/HEATED
GLASS/WINDSHIELD GRID - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).
REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
The rear window defogger switch is integrated into
the HVAC control panel assembly (Fig. 3)
OPERATION
A LED indicator will illuminate when the switch is
activated. The switch energizes the HVAC control
assembly when it requests the Front Control Module
(FCM) to activate the rear window defogger relay.
The relay controls the current to flow to the grids of
the rear window defogger, heated power side view
mirrors and the heated windshield wiper de-icer. The
defogger relay will be on for approximately 10 min-
utes or until the control switch or ignition is turned
off.
Fig. 3 HVAC CONTROL PANEL
1 - Trim Bezel
2 - ACT Sensor
3 - A/C Request Switch
4 - Rear Window Defogger/Heated Mirrors Switch Combo
5 - Front Window Defroster Mode Selector
8G - 2 HEATED GLASSRS
HEATED GLASS (Continued)
HEATED MIRRORS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
HEATED MIRRORS
DESCRIPTION............................5
OPERATION.............................5
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING..................5
HEATED MIRROR TEST...................5
MIRROR SWITCH
DESCRIPTION............................5OPERATION.............................5
HEATED MIRROR GRID
STANDARD PROCEDURE...................6
HEATED MIRROR.......................6
RELAY
DESCRIPTION............................6
HEATED MIRRORS
DESCRIPTION
Heated mirrors are available on models with
Power Mirrors and Rear Window Defogger only.
OPERATION
The heated mirror is controlled by the rear window
defogger switch. The heated mirror is ON when the
rear window defogger is ON (Fig. 1)
DIAGNOSIS AND TESING - HEATED MIRROR
TEST
Heated mirrors are available on models with
Power Mirrors and Rear Window Defogger only. The
heated mirror is controlled by the rear window defog-
ger switch. The heated mirror is ON when the rear
window defogger is ON.
(1) The mirror glass should be warm to the touch.
(2) If not, check the 20 amp fuse (11) in the Power
Distribution Center (PDC) part of the Integrated
Power Module (IPM) in the engine compartment.
(3) Test voltage at rear window defogger switch.
²If no voltage repair wire.
²Remove mirror glass and test the wires for con-
tinuity. If no continuity repair wires.
²If wires are OK, replace mirror glass.
²To test defogger switch refer to the appropriate
section in Electrical.
MIRROR SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
The heated mirror switch is integrated into the
rear window defogger switch located in the HVAC
control panel (Fig. 1)
OPERATION
A LED indicator will illuminate when the switch is
activated. The switch energizes the HVAC control
assembly when it requests the Front Control Module
(FCM) to activate the rear window defogger relay.
The relay controls the current to flow to the grids of
the rear window defogger, heated power side view
mirrors and the heated windshield wiper de-icer. The
defogger relay will be on for approximately 10 min-
utes or until the control switch or ignition is turned
off.
Fig. 1 HVAC CONTROL PANEL
1 - Trim Bezel
2 - ACT Sensor
3 - A/C Request Switch
4 - Rear Window Defogger/Heated Mirrors Switch Combo
5 - Front Window Defroster Mode Selector
RSHEATED MIRRORS8G-5
HEATED MIRROR GRID
STANDARD PROCEDURE - HEATED MIRROR
Replacement of the mirror is necessary if the grid
is damaged and diagnostics have been performed
(Refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/SIDE VIEW MIR-
ROR - REMOVAL).
RELAY
DESCRIPTION
There is no heated mirror relay it is integrated
into the (E.B.L) relay that is located in the IPM in
the engine compartment.
8G - 6 HEATED MIRRORSRS