The battery is not designed to last indefinitely, however,
with proper care, it will provide many years of service. If the battery performs
satisfactorily during testing but fails to operate properly for no apparent
reason, the following are some of the more important factors that may be
the cause of the problem.
| • | The vehicle accessories have been left on overnight or for an
extended period of time without the generator operating. |
| • | The vehicle has been driven at slow average speeds for short time
periods. |
| • | The vehicle's electrical load is greater than the generator output,
particularly with the addition of aftermarket electrical accessories. |
| • | Faulty conditions exist in the charging system such as electrical
shorts, slipping drive belt, faulty generator or voltage regulator. Refer
to
Starting and Charging Schematics
in this section. |
| • | The battery has been neglected and/or abused, such as a loose
battery retainer and hold down brackets or failure to maintain clean and tight
battery connections. |
| • | The vehicle has been stored for an extended period of time without
proper battery protection. |
| • | The vehicle has received a new battery without a proper charge. |
| • | There has been extended engine cranking due to poor engine mechanical
conditions. |
| • | The built-in hydrometer has been incorrectly interpreted. |
| • | Increased parasitic load has caused continued current draw on
the battery. Refer to
Battery Load Test
in this section. |
| • | Faulty mechanical conditions exist in the electrical system, such
as pinched wires. |
