Thorough Approach to No-Start Complaints

In this article, Tony Martin of Motor Age provides a comprehensive review of the starting and charging system, its components and common problem areas. From battery service and testing to charging system inspection to starting system checks, this useful article provides a step-by-step primer on how to perform preventive maintenance on and troubleshoot issues with these tricky electrical system components.

The article also addresses the tools needed to perform electrical system analysis, repair and maintenance. These include the use of a memory saver to preserve electronic presets during battery disconnection, the use of carbon pile testers for battery and charging system analysis and the use of digital battery testers in performing complete system analysis. It is a great introduction to this area of service.

http://www.searchautoparts.com/motorage/maintenance-repair/battery-starting-charging-system-maintenance

Rotating Electrical Issues – Nissan Style

In this article, Bob Dowie of Underhood Service delves into common rotating electrical issues, specifically focusing on Nissan vehicles. That said, the article contains a variety of general knowledge tips related to rotating electrical service and provides a framework for approaching this area of vehicle service.

He addresses specific issues and conditions related to starter/ignition switch issues, problems stemming from the vehicle immobilizer and a variety of charging system dilemmas. He concludes with a case study of sorts related to a specific repair encountered by his shop that illustrates just how complex these repairs can be. We love his metaphor of the wiring diagram as the “road map” of the electrical system.

http://www.underhoodservice.com/Article/99216/nissan_solving_rotating_electrical_issues.aspx

Honing in on Alternators

Another article from Tony Martin of Motor Age, this time detailing the evolution of the alternator and key steps that can be taken in alternator diagnosis. Alternator performance and specifications have evolved considerably over the last 20 years as a direct consequence of the increased energy consumption of today’s vehicles when in operation. The increased consumption is due primarily to the increased use of electronic vehicle control systems and the greater prevalence of power hungry in-vehicle accessories and conveniences, such as navigation, DVD systems, heated seats and more.

So, while the fundamental use of and general theory behind alternator operation remains the same, the way the alternator is controlled and the specifics of its operation are specifically designed to meet the growing need for power during vehicle operation. This has implications when it comes to testing, diagnosing and repairing today’s alternators and charging systems, which are covered in detail in this article.

http://www.searchautoparts.com/motorage/maintenance-repair/alternator-design-and-diagnosis

No-Start Hybrids

In the pair of videos below from Scope it Out, noted hybrid service expert Craig Van Batenburg addresses two model specific no-start conditions on mid-2000s model hybrid vehicles. In the first clip, it’s the Honda Civic Hybrid and an anomaly that prevents you from retrieving DTCs when the 12V battery is dead. How will you solve that? In the second clip, it’s the Gen2 Toyota Prius and a list of top causes of non-start conditions.

We hope that these resources are useful to you and help you deal more effectively with no-start or slow-start issues in your operation. Clore Automotive offers a wide variety of products that can be very useful in these areas. From jump starters to enable starting of a vehicle with a depleted battery to advanced battery chargers to bring problematic batteries back to a useful state to digital battery and system testers to assess and diagnose electrical system difficulties. When it comes to Battery Service Equipment, we’ve got you covered.

The new SOLAR PRO-LOGIX 6/12V Wheel Charger, Model No. PL3730, provides three operational modes for comprehensive service:  auto charge, manual charge and engine start. Auto charge mode utilizes an advanced, microprocessor-controlled process to deliver an optimal charge to each battery serviced, regardless of size or type. No guesswork or mystery… if it is a lead-acid battery, it can be charged right with PRO-LOGIX.

The PRO-LOGIX charging process results in improved battery condition and restored reserve capacity. Special Soft Start and Recondition routines automatically engage as needed. Whether your battery is new or in need of reconditioning, PRO-LOGIX is the charger for you. Plus, with Smart Clamp Technology, automatic operation and numerous safety features, PRO-LOGIX brings unsurpassed safety to your everyday battery charging needs.

The PL3730 features multiple charge rates for service versatility:  60/40/15/5A (6/12V). It also features 275 Amps of 12V Engine Starting Assistance. An LCD display provides rich detail for easy operational set-up and monitoring. Status lights alert the operator to the charger’s operational status and provide warning of charging errors. The unit is shipped fully assembled, saving time and effort right from the start.

Charge Smart, Charge Safe… with SOLAR

It also works great if you are trying to find a parasitic drain and you are hooking up an ammeter, as the modules will go off line if the battery is disconnected. With the memory saver in line at the OBDII, you can rest assured the modules will not time out (go to sleep) during parasitic testing.

Arnold Boggs
Indiana

When testing a battery installed in a vehicle, do your best to connect your leads directly to the battery posts rather than the harness hardware. Digital battery testers are precise instruments and results can be skewed if the tester is connected via battery hardware. Connecting directly to the posts when performing a battery test will ensure that you get the most accurate results. This may require use of a vehicle memory saver when the hardware is removed, but this extra step is worth it to achieve a true, accurate assessment of battery condition.

When jump starting, a little extra effort to find a good vehicle ground is well worth it. This is one we get many calls on and one that is a point of contention in many of the forums. The negative jump starter clamp should not be connected to the negative battery post. It is always safest to connect to a vehicle ground. This is the best practice and should be followed every time you jump start. But, failure to find a good, conductive ground can lead to the perception that your jump starter is not working properly. It may take an extra moment or two to identify a proper vehicle ground, but will save you time in the end by allowing you to get an effective start on your first try.

Know what kind of battery you are charging and then charge it appropriately. In today’s environment, charging a battery is no longer the simple ”See battery, connect to battery, charge battery. Done.” It is critical to know what type of battery you are charging and to have the right equipment to properly charge each type of battery. For instance, an AGM battery requires a different charging curve than a traditional flooded battery. If you don’t know that your battery is an AGM battery or know but don’t have a charger that can charge it properly, you risk damaging that battery.

View the battery charging application as a preventive maintenance step. Gone are the days where you should reach for your charger only when you have an issue and fear a costly battery replacement or are trying to get a few more days/weeks from a battery on its last legs. Today’s vehicle battery is subject to significantly higher demand from vehicle electronics and accessories than in days past. As a result, batteries are being cycled (drained beyond a surface demand, such as vehicle starting) like never before. Periodically charging your battery with a quality battery charger will help you extend the life of your battery by counteracting the chemical processes that lead toward battery deterioration and shortened life.

Charge your jump starter frequently. If you left your car parked in your garage for six months of storage, would you expect to be able to turn it over without first charging its battery? Most people would say no – they know that the car would not have the power to fire the starter. Yet, we regularly get calls asking why a jump starter is dead after 12 months of idle storage. You have made an investment in a jump starter, hopefully a quality one. You should charge it every 90 days to ensure that it will be ready when you need it the most. We have made it easier than ever to keep up with your jump starter charging cycles. You can now sign up to receive free recharge reminders. Simply visit http://start.cloreautomotive.com/get-in-charge.html and complete the signup form and we will send you quarterly recharge reminders. It’s that easy.

Vehicle repair and maintenance can be trying, particularly when you are working on charging and starting system issues. There are many variables in play in diagnosing and resolving such issues, but keeping in mind the five simple steps above will eliminate a number of pitfalls before they happen and put you on the road toward Battery Service Bliss.

So your jumper pack has been a mainstay for me, especially for the last 14 years while owning my own shop. With the day-to-day, week in, week out, need to jump start vehicles of all sizes and amp draws, it never fails to perform. I knew I had the right jumper when I had a Ford F-250 7.3 diesel that was stone dead. These engines require an enormous amount of amps to turn them over. Others at my shop scoffed when I attached your jumper pack to one of the dual batteries, but they were silent when that engine whirled over and started without so much as a hiccup! No towing that one on that day!

You’ve heard the old saying: “Never leave home without it”… well, I never take a trip without my jumper pack. It’s like an old friend that I can count on to be there when I’m in a jam and no one else is around to lend a hand. This new model JNC660 is so convenient to re-charge, plus with the built in volt meter, I can do so many on the spot diagnosis that it has earned its place as one of the handiest tools I have ever owned! No word of a lie: I can’t picture being without it!

- Don Stephenson, Poughkeepsie, NY

Like the JNC660, the JNCAIR boasts a battery outputting 1700 Peak Amps and 425 Cranking Amps of jump starting power. It is powerful enough to provide numerous jumps per charge and features auto recharging circuitry for hassle-free recharging. Its Clore PROFORMER battery is specifically designed for vehicle jump starting, enabling it to deliver exceptional power, jump after jump, year after year.

It features an integrated air delivery system with a 0-60 psi pressure gauge and overheat protection. Its compressor is powerful enough to fill a 16” passenger vehicle tire from flat in under 8 minutes. And, with its extended 68” cable reach, you’ll appreciate how easy it is to reach vehicle starting points.

If you have ever tried a multi-functional jump starter only to be sorely disappointed by its lack of performance, find out what tow operators, vehicle dealerships, service facilities and others already know – the JNCAIR gets the job done.

When it needs to start, count on Jump-N-Carry

Year after year, battery after dead battery, the PDQ never seems to take a day off. It has been used, abused, left outside, and even backed into by our plow truck. To this day, the Christie PDQ allows us to rapidly charge and test batteries for our customers faster than any other method, so we can get them back in their cars and down the road FAST. This ability sets us apart from our competition. A Christie charger is one of the best equipment investments we have ever made.

Kyle
Minnesota

Except, perhaps, when it comes to safety. Safety is a very critical issue in vehicle service, particularly when working on and around vehicle batteries, which can be very dangerous if improperly handled. We recently had the opportunity to observe a battery shop installer perform a simple vehicle battery replacement application and were disturbed by some of what we saw. So, we thought that experience could provide a good opportunity to address safety concerns when working on or around vehicle batteries.

ISSUE #1. The installer walked out to the vehicle with the new battery and had no safety goggles or other safety gear of any kind. Batteries can be unpredictable and a simple mistake could lead to a shorted battery (see ISSUE #4 below), which is very dangerous. Each of us gets just one set of eyes, so always protect them when working on or around a vehicle battery. Safety glasses are a must.

ISSUE #2. When disconnecting the vehicle’s battery cables from the old battery, he disconnected the positive cable first. It didn’t happen in this case, but this could result in arcing or sparking, as the battery harness is being pulled off the battery post. The best practice is to disconnect the battery ground connection first, then the positive (ungrounded) connection. When connecting the new battery, first connect the positive connection, then the battery ground connection.

ISSUE #3. Once the old battery was disconnected from the vehicle electrical system and loosened from its moorings, it was removed with little or no regard for securing the battery cables, now loose and free to travel within the general battery area. This is problematic, more for the vehicle than the operator, but should be accounted for nonetheless. It is a good practice to secure the positive battery cable in such a way that it cannot come into contact with other electrical parts or a vehicle ground. This may take an extra minute or two, but that time is very well spent.

ISSUE #4. As the team at Clore Automotive responsible for writing our operator’s manuals, we are highly sensitive to the warnings that consistently appear in our Battery Service Equipment manuals.  Here’s a big one:  “Be extra cautious to reduce risk of dropping a metal tool onto a battery. It might spark or short circuit the battery or another electrical part that may cause explosion.” So, you could imagine our concern when the young installer placed a metal ratchet on the new battery after it was placed into the battery compartment. Something as simple as brushing against that ratchet with his elbow and knocking it into contact with the battery posts could have resulted in a major incident.

ISSUE #5. This last one is likely more a preference than a true safety issue, but we think it is worth mentioning. This shop’s standard practice for saving vehicle memory during a battery replacement was to connect a small jump starter to the battery cables and then disconnect the old battery. In this way, the jump starter powers the vehicle until the new battery is installed. While this may be fine in principle, at Clore, we would suggest that the use of a memory saver (ours or others) is more practical and reduces the likelihood of shorting the battery cables while they are not connected to the battery.

As a reader, you may think we are being overly critical of this particular situation, and you might be right. But, we saw too many issues not to be concerned. And, we believe that safety is a topic that can’t be overstressed.  

 Model PI5000X delivers 500 Watts of continuous power and 1000 Watts of peak power, meeting the initial surge loads of many power tools and small appliances.  It features dual AC outlets, one USB outlet, the rugged construction that SOLAR Power Inverters are known for, and its compact design makes storage easy and convenient.  The PI5000X also incorporates a wide variety of safety features, including overload protection, overheat protection and an under voltage audible alarm, making operation safe, easy and worry-free.

I looked at probably just about all the different ways to pull out all that old antifreeze, flush the systems, check the systems, and reservice. That led to the VIPER AF3400. It seemed easy to operate (and it is). It would flush/reverse flush the systems. It will also leak check with vacuum or fill and pressurize. This unit seemed to do everything we needed (and it does). One big plus is with the larger systems (school buses) it is capable of emptying the processing tank through the filtration system right into a 55 gallon drum.

So long story short, the VIPER AF3400 works. It has no problem handling the straight 100% green antifreeze. It allows us to recover, check, reservice from the new tank with ELC, and recycle the old. Plus the new tank can be filled from the new drum of coolant with the machine, no mess pouring from bucket to machine, pumping into the machine, etc. The VIPER AF3400 is an excellent machine for us. Thank You.

The Tech Support people were excellent also (there was no problem with the machine just the operator).

Once again, Thank You. Gary K. Saxon, California