SECTION 06: ELECTRICAL
DOB 2490-2789 | X3-45 Commuter PA1605 Maintenance Manual (Final Version) – Sec 06 revised June 2017
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must be visible. Do not attempt jump
starting if the test indicator of the booster
battery or the discharged battery has a
light or bright center.
DANGER
Follow the procedure exactly as outlined
hereafter. Avoid making sparks.
Wear eye protection and remove rings, watches
with metal bands and other metal jewelry.
Apply parking brake and place the transmission
shift lever or push-button pads in neutral (n)
position in both vehicles. Turn off lights, heater
and other electrical loads.
1. Remove the protective plug from the booster
block bulkhead connector located in the
R.H. side engine compartment;
2. Connect to the bulkhead connector.
If the
booster battery is in another vehicle, that
vehicle's engine must be shut off before
connecting and must remain off during
jump starting
;
3. Disconnect the jumper cables in reverse
order;
4. Install protective plug on the booster block
terminal.
DANGER
Any procedure other than the above could
result in personal injury, property damage due
to battery explosion, or damage to the
charging system of the booster vehicle or of
the boosted vehicle.
Note
Jumper cables must withstand 500 cranking
amperes. If cable length is 20 feet (6m) or
less, use 2/0 (awg) gauge wires. If cable
length is between 20-30 feet (6-9m), use 3/0
(awg) wires.
2.7
AGM BATTERY CHARGING
PRECAUTIONS
Agm (absorbed glass mat) batteries require a
voltage-limited, temperature corrected charger.
Make sure your charger is multi-staged and
minimally provides the following voltage values:
Charge stage voltage:
13.8-14.6 @77°f (25°c)
Float stage voltage:
13.4-13.6 @77°f (25°c)
Charging agm battery on a typical constant
current or taper current charger – even once –
may greatly shorten its life.
2.8
BATTERY EQUALIZATION AND AGM
BATTERIES
Equalization is a controlled over charge.
Conventional flooded lead-acid batteries may
benefit from this procedure, stirring the
chemistry of the entire battery and countering
stratification (layers of different concentration of
electrolyte), and also countering sulfation that
may have accumulated on the battery plates.
However, the ”dry design” of agm batteries
prevents chemical unbalance of the electrolyte.
Manufacturers of this type of battery do not
recommend performing equalization.
2.9
COMMON CAUSES OF BATTERY
FAILURE
When a battery fails, the cause of failure may be
related to something other than the battery. For
this reason, when a battery failure occurs, do not
be satisfied with merely recharging or replacing
the battery. Locate and correct the cause of the
failure to prevent recurrence. Some common
external causes of battery failure are as follows:
1. A defect in charging system such as high
resistance or a faulty alternator or regulator.
The dashboard alternator telltale light
illuminates if both alternators are defective.
Charging system warning light
2. A malfunction within the 12 volts system
(equalizer).
3. Overloads caused by a defective starter or
excessive use of accessories.
4.
Keep batteries clean
. Dirt and electrolyte on
battery exterior shell may cause a constant
drain.
5. Hardened battery plates, due to battery
being in a low state of charge over a long
period of time.
