Mopar BB065600AA Battery-Storage

Always disconnect the negative cable first. Check the indicator eye on the top of the battery. If maintenance-free and eye is clear, replace. Add distilled water if removable cell caps. Check alternator charging voltage and replace if necessary. Perform open-voltage and load tests. If weak or defective, replace. Disconnect terminals, remove hold-down bolt and clamp, and lift out battery. Inspect and clean battery tray and surrounding areas. Ensure new battery is identical to original. Installation is reverse of removal.

To check the battery state of charge, inspect the indicator eye on the top of the battery, where a green color indicates 75 to 100 percent charge, black signifies 0 to 75 percent charge, and a clear or bright appearance indicates low electrolyte level. Maintenance-free factory-installed batteries cannot have water added, but if a low-maintenance battery with removable cell caps is used, add water to the correct level. Overcharging may cause low-electrolyte conditions, so after recharging, check the alternator charging voltage and replace it if necessary. Perform an open-voltage circuit test using a voltmeter to ensure the battery charge is correct. For a battery load test, use a battery load tester to evaluate its ability to handle heavy amperage draw. Disconnect the battery cables starting with the negative terminal, remove the battery hold-down bolt and clamp, then lift out the battery for replacement. Inspect the battery tray for corrosion and clean it as needed. For battery tray removal, disconnect wiring harness clips, remove the fuse and relay box, ABS controller, left front wheel, and wheelhouse splash shield if necessary, and then unbolt and remove the battery tray. The right-side battery tray removal process is similar, with additional steps for air filter housing and relay bracket removal.

Replace the battery.

The battery tray should be checked for its condition, and the hold-down clamp fasteners should be checked for tightness.

A trickle charger typically takes 12 to 16 hours to fully charge a battery.

Precautions when servicing the battery include turning off the engine and all accessories, disconnecting the cable from the negative terminal, and avoiding creating sparks or lighting matches near the battery.