2001 DODGE RAM maintenance schedule

66,000 Miles (106 000 km)
²Change engine oil.
²Replace engine oil filter.
²Lubricate tie rod ends every 3,000 miles (5 000
km).
²Inspect front wheel bearings (4x4).
69,000 Miles (110 000 km)
²Change engine oil.
²Replace engine oil filter.
²Lubricate tie rod ends every 3,000 miles (5 000
km).
72, 000 Miles (115 000 km)
²Change engine oil.
²Replace engine oil filter.
²Replace engine air cleaner element and air
pump filter.
²Clean and lubricate crankcase inlet air filter
(5.9L).
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Drain and refill transfer case fluid (4x4).
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack,
if required (4x2).
²Inspect brake linings.
²Lubricate tie rod ends every 3,000 miles (5 000
km).
²Inspect front wheel bearings (4x4).
²Inspect front wheel bearings (4x2).
75,000 Miles (120 000 km)
²Change engine oil.
²Replace engine oil filter.
²Lubricate tie rod ends every 3,000 miles (5 000
km).
78,000 Miles (125 000 km)
²Change engine oil.
²Replace engine oil filter.
²Flush and replace engine coolant if it has been
30,000 miles (48 000 km) since last change.
²Lubricate tie rod ends every 3,000 miles (5 000
km).
²Inspect front wheel bearings (4x4).
81,000 Miles (130 000 km)
²Change engine oil.
²Replace engine oil filter.
²Lubricate tie rod ends every 3,000 miles (5 000
km).
²Inspect front wheel bearings (4x2).
82,500 Miles (132 000 km)
²Replace oxygen sensor (5.9L only).*
84,000 Miles (134 000 km)
²Change engine oil.
²Replace engine oil filter.
²Inspect engine air cleaner element and air
pump filter, replace as necessary.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.³
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect brake linings.
²Lubricate tie rod ends every 3,000 miles (5 000
km).
²Inspect front wheel bearings (4x4).
87,000 Miles (139 000 km)
²Change engine oil.
²Replace engine oil filter.
²Lubricate tie rod ends every 3,000 miles (5 000
km).
90,000 Miles (144 000 km)
²Change engine oil.
²Replace engine oil filter.
²Lubricate tie rod ends every 3,000 miles (5 000
km).
²Inspect PCV valve, replace as necessary
(5.9L).
²Replace spark plugs.
²Inspect front wheel bearings (4x4).
²Inspect front wheel bearings (4x2).
²Drain and refill transfer case fluid (4x4).
93,000 Miles (149 000 km)
²Change engine oil.
²Replace engine oil filter.
²Lubricate tie rod ends every 3,000 miles (5 000
km).
96,000 Miles (154 000 km)
²Change engine oil.
²Replace engine oil filter.
²Replace engine air cleaner element and air
pump filter.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Clean and lubricate crankcase inlet air filter
(5.9L).
²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack,
if required (4x2).
²Inspect brake linings.
²Lubricate tie rod ends every 3,000 miles (5 000
km).
²Inspect front wheel bearings (4x4).
BR/BELUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE 0 - 21
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES (Continued)

99,000 Miles (156 000 km)
²Change engine oil.
²Replace engine oil filter.
²Lubricate tie rod ends every 3,000 miles (5 000
km).
²Inspect front wheel bearings (4x2).
102,000 Miles (163 000 km)
²Change engine oil.
²Replace engine oil filter.
²Lubricate tie rod ends every 3,000 miles (5 000
km).
²Inspect front wheel bearings (4x4).
105,000 Miles (168 000 km)
²Change engine oil.
²Replace engine oil filter.
²Lubricate tie rod ends every 3,000 miles (5 000
km).
108,000 Miles (173 000 km)
²Change engine oil.
²Replace engine oil filter.
²Inspect engine air cleaner element and air
pump filter, replace as necessary.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.³
²Drain and refill transfer case fluid (4x4).
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect brake linings.
²Flush and replace engine coolant if it has been
30,000 miles (48 000 km) since last change.
²Lubricate tie rod ends every 3,000 miles (5 000
km).
²Inspect front wheel bearings (4x4).
²Inspect front wheel bearings (4x2).
*Requires Service Reminder Indicator Light. If so
equipped, these parts are to be replaced at the indi-
cated mileage or when the service reminder indicator
light remains on continuously with the key in the
ªONº position, whichever occurs first.
³Off-the-highway operation, trailer towing, snow
plowing, prolonged operation with heavy loading,
especially in hot weather require the more frequent
transmission service indicated witha³inSchedule
ªBº. Perform these services if you usually operate
your Ram Truck under these conditions.
Inspection and service should also be performed
anytime a malfunction is observed or suspected.
DESCRIPTION - MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
Ð 24±VALVE CUMMINS TURBO DIESEL
There are two maintenance schedules that show
proper service for the vehicle.First is ScheduleªA.ºIt lists all the scheduled
maintenance to be performed under ªnormalº operat-
ing conditions.
Second is ScheduleªB.ºIt is a schedule for vehicles
that are operated under the conditions listed at the
beginning of that schedule.
Use the schedule that best describes the driving
conditions.
Where time and mileage are listed, follow the
interval that occurs first.
At Each Stop For Fuel
²Check engine oil level and add as required.
²Check windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
²Clean windshield and wiper blades as required.
²Drain water from fuel filter.
Once A Month
²Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear
or damage.
²Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals
as required.
²Check fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering, and transmission.
Add fluid as required.
²Check all lights and all other electrical items for
correct operation.
²Check Filter Mindery. Replace air cleaner
element if necessary.
²Inspect and clean wiper blades. Replace if
required.
At Each Oil Change
²Inspect exhaust system.
²Inspect brake hoses.
²Adjust rear brakes.
²Rotate the tires at each oil change interval
shown at 7, 5000 miles (12 000 km) on schedule ªAº
or every other interval shown at 7,500 miles (12 000
km) on schedule ªBº.
²Check engine coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
²Lubricate steering linkage.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The scheduled emission maintenance listed inbold
typeon the Maintenance Schedules, must be done at
the mileage specified to assure the continued proper
functioning of the emission control system. These,
and all other maintenance services included in this
manual, should be done to provide the best vehicle
performance and reliability. More frequent mainte-
nance may be needed for vehicles in severe operating
conditions such as dusty areas and very short trip
driving.
0 - 22 LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCEBR/BE
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES (Continued)

FLUID FILL LOCATIONS AND LUBRICATION
POINTS
The fluid fill/check locations and lubrication points
are located in each applicable group.
SCHEDULE ªAº
7,500 Miles (12 000 km) or at 6 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
15,000 Miles (24 000 km) or at 12 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
22,500 Miles (36 000 km) or at 18 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.
²Inspect brake linings.
30,000 Miles (48 000 km) or at 24 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect fan hub.
²Inspect damper.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack,
if required (4x2).
²Flush and replace engine coolant if not done at
36 months.
37,500 Miles (60 000 km) or at 30 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
45,000 Miles (72 000 km) or at 36 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill transfer case fluid.
²Inspect brake linings.
²Flush and replace engine coolant if not done at
24 months
52,500 Miles (84 000 km) or at 42 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
60,000 Miles (96 000 km) or at 48 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Inspect fan hub.
²Inspect damper.
²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack,
if required (4x2).
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
67,500 Miles (108 000 km) or at 54 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.
²Inspect brake linings.
75,000 Miles (120 000 km) or at 60 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Flush and replace engine coolant if it has been
30,000 miles (48 000 km) or 24 months since last
change.
82,500 Miles (132 000 km) or at 66 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
90,000 Miles (144 000 km) or at 72 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belt, replace as required.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Drain and refill transfer case fluid.
²Inspect fan hub.
²Inspect damper.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack,
if required (4x2).
²Inspect brake linings.
97,500 Miles (156 000 km) or at 78 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
BR/BELUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE 0 - 23
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES (Continued)

²Flush and replace engine coolant if it has been
30,000 miles (48 000 km) or 24 months since last
change.
105,000 Miles (168 000 km) or at 84 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Flush and replace engine coolant if it has been
30,000 miles (48 000 km) or 24 months since last
change.
112,500 Miles (181 000 km) or at 90 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace if necessary.
²Inspect brake linings.
120,000 Miles (193 000 km) or at 96 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Inspect fan hub.
²Inspect damper.
²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack,
if required (4x2).
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
127,500 Miles (205 000 km) or at 102 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
135,000 Miles (217 000 km) or at 108 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill transfer case fluid.
²Inspect brake linings.
²Flush and replace engine coolant if it has been
30,000 miles (48 000 km) or 24 months since last
change.
142,500 Miles (229 000 km) or at 114 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Inspect fan hub.
²Inspect damper.²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack,
if required (4x2).
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
150,000 Miles (241 000 km) or at 150 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Adjust valve lash clearance.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
SCHEDULE ªBº
Follow this schedule if you usually operate your
vehicle under one or more of the following conditions.
²Frequent short driving less than 5 miles (8 km);
²Frequent driving in dusty conditions;
²Frequent trailer towing;
²Extensive idling;
²More than 50% of your driving is at sustained
high speeds during hot weather, above 90ÉF (32ÉC).
3,750 Miles (6 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
7,500 Miles (12 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
11,250 Miles (18 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
15,000 Miles (24 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect brake linings.
18,750 Miles (30 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
22,500 Miles (36 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
0 - 24 LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCEBR/BE
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES (Continued)

26,250 Miles (42 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
30,000 Miles (48 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect fan hub.
²Inspect damper.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack,
if required (4x2).
²Inspect brake linings.
33,700 Miles (54 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
37,500 Miles (60 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
41,250 Miles (66 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
45,000 Miles (72 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Drain and refill transfer case fluid.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect brake linings.
48,750 Miles (78,000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
52,500 Miles (84 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
56,250 Miles (90 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
60,000 Miles (96 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect fan hub.
²Inspect damper.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack
if required (4x2).
²Inspect brake linings.
²Flush and replace engine coolant.
63,750 Miles (102 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
67,500 Miles (108 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
71,250 Miles (114 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
75,000 Miles (120 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect brake linings.
78,750 Miles (126 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
82,500 Miles (132 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
BR/BELUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE 0 - 25
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES (Continued)

86,250 Miles (138 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
90,000 Miles (144 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.
²Inspect fan hub.
²Inspect damper.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²
Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sensor.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Drain and refill transfer case fluid.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack
if required (4x2).
²Inspect brake linings.
93,750 Miles (150 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
97,500 Miles (156 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Flush and replace engine coolant.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Adjust rear brakes.
101,250 Miles (162 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
105,000 Miles (168 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect brake linings.
108,750 Miles (174 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
112,500 Miles (180 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.²
Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sensor.
116,250 Miles (186 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
120,000 Miles (192 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect fan hub.
²Inspect damper.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack
if required (4x2).
²Inspect brake linings.
123,750 Miles (198 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
127,500 Miles (204 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
131,250 Miles (210 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
135,000 Miles (216 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Clean inside of engine air cleaner element hous-
ing.
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Adjust valve lash clearance
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Drain and refill transfer case fluid.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect brake linings.
²Flush and replace engine coolant.
²Adjust rear brakes
Inspection and service should also be performed
anytime a malfunction is observed or suspected.
0 - 26 LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCEBR/BE
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES (Continued)

SUSPENSION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
WHEEL ALIGNMENT.......................1
FRONT - 2WD............................7FRONT - 4WD...........................14
REAR..................................26
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
DESCRIPTION............................1
OPERATION.............................2
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING..................2
PRE-ALIGNMENT........................2
STANDARD PROCEDURE...................2ALIGNMENT INDEPENDENT FRONT
SUSPENSION...........................2
CASTER CORRECTION MEASUREMENT.....3
ALIGNMENT LINK/COIL SUSPENSION........5
SPECIFICATIONS.........................6
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
DESCRIPTION
Wheel alignment is the positioning of the wheels in
relation to the vehicle. This is accomplished through
suspension and steering linkage adjustments. An
alignment is essential for efficient steering, good
directional stability and to minimize tire wear. The
most important measurements of an alignment are
caster, camber and toe position (Fig. 1) and (Fig. 2).
CAUTION: Do not attempt to modify any suspen-
sion or steering components by heating and bend-
ing.
NOTE: Periodic lubrication of the front suspension/
steering system components may be required. Rub-
ber bushings must never be lubricated. Refer to
Lubrication And Maintenance for the recommended
maintenance schedule.
Fig. 1 Alignment Angles - Independent Front
Suspension
1 - FRONT OF VEHICLE
2 - STEERING AXIS INCLINATION
3 - PIVOT POINT
4 - TOE-IN
BR/BESUSPENSION 2 - 1

For battery system maintenance schedules and
jump starting procedures, see the owner's manual in
the vehicle glove box. Optionally, refer to Lubrication
and Maintenance for the recommended battery main-
tenance schedules and for the proper battery jump
starting procedures. While battery charging can be
considered a maintenance procedure, the battery
charging procedures and related information are
located in the standard procedures section of this ser-
vice manual. This was done because the battery must
be fully-charged before any battery system diagnosis
or testing procedures can be performed. Refer to
Standard procedures for the proper battery charging
procedures.
OPERATION
The battery system is designed to provide a safe,
efficient, reliable and mobile means of producing,
delivering and storing electrical energy. This electri-
cal energy is required to operate the engine starting
system, as well as to operate many of the other vehi-
cle accessory systems for limited durations while the
engine and/or the charging system are not operating.
The battery system is also designed to provide a
reserve of electrical energy to supplement the charg-
ing system for short durations while the engine is
running and the electrical current demands of the
vehicle exceed the output of the charging system. In
addition to producing, delivering, and storing electri-
cal energy for the vehicle, the battery system serves
as a capacitor and voltage stabilizer for the vehicle
electrical system. It absorbs most abnormal or tran-
sient voltages caused by the switching of any of the
electrical components or circuits in the vehicle.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - BATTERY SYSTEM
The battery, starting, and charging systems in the
vehicle operate with one another and must be tested
as a single complete system. In order for the engine
to start and the battery to charge properly, all of the
components that are used in these systems must per-
form within specifications. It is important that the
battery, starting, and charging systems be thoroughly
tested and inspected any time a battery needs to be
charged or replaced. The cause of abnormal battery
discharge, overcharging or early battery failure must
be diagnosed and corrected before a battery is
replaced and before a vehicle is returned to service.
The service information for these systems has been
separated within this service manual to make it eas-
ier to locate the specific information you are seeking.
However, when attempting to diagnose any of these
systems, it is important that you keep their interde-
pendency in mind.
The diagnostic procedures used for the battery,
starting, and charging systems include the most
basic conventional diagnostic methods, to the more
sophisticated On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) built into
the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). Use of an
induction-type milliampere ammeter, a volt/ohmme-
ter, a battery charger, a carbon pile rheostat (load
tester) and a 12-volt test lamp may be required. All
OBD-sensed systems are monitored by the PCM.
Each monitored circuit is assigned a Diagnostic Trou-
ble Code (DTC). The PCM will store a DTC in elec-
tronic memory for any failure it detects. Refer to
Charging System for the proper charging system on-
board diagnostic test procedures.
8F - 2 BATTERY SYSTEMBR/BE
BATTERY SYSTEM (Continued)