Trouble Diagnosis With Battery/Starting/Charging System Tester: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Infiniti M45. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: When working with batteries, always wear appropriate eye protection.

NOTE:

To ensure a complete and thorough diagnosis, the battery, starter and alternator test segments must be done as a set from start to finish.
If battery surface charge is detected while testing, the tester will prompt you to turn on the headlamps to remove the surface charge.
If necessary, the tester will prompt you to determine if the battery temperature is above or below 0°C (32°F). Choose the appropriate selection by pressing the up or down arrow button, then press "ENTER" to make the selection.

Turn off all loads on the vehicle electrical system. Clean or repair as necessary.
Visually inspect the battery, battery terminals and cable ends with ignition switch in "OFF" position.
NOTE: The contact surface between the battery terminals, cable ends and tester leads must be clean for a valid test. A poor connection will prevent testing and a "CHECK CONNECTION" message will appear during the test procedures. If this occurs, clean the battery post and terminals, reconnect them and restart the test.

Fig 1: Connecting Tester Battery Terminals
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Connect the red tester lead clamp to the positive battery terminal, and the black to the negative terminal.
The tester will turn on automatically. Using the arrow keys, select "IN VEHICLE" on the tester and then press the "ENTER" key.

Fig 2: Selecting IN VEHICLE Test
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Locate the battery type and rating stamped or written on the top case of the battery to be tested.
NOTE: The battery type and rating will have either of the following.

CCA : Cold Cranking Amps (490 CCA, 550 CCA, etc.)

JIS : Japanese Industrial Standard.

Battery is stamped with a number such as:

80D26L: 80 (rank of output), D (physical size-depth), 26 (width in cm). The last character L (post configuration) is not input into the tester.

The tester requires the rating for the battery be entered exactly as it is written or stamped on the battery. Do not attempt a CCA conversion for JIS stamped batteries. JIS must be input directly.

Fig 3: Selecting Test USING CCA
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Using the arrow and "ENTER" keys alternately, select the battery type and rating.
NOTE: The tester lists five choices; CCA, JIS, IEC, DIN, and EN. Only use CCA or JIS.
Press "ENTER" to begin the test. Diagnosis results are displayed on the tester. Refer to "DIAGNOSTIC RESULT ITEM CHART ".

Fig 4: Displaying Good Battery Results
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Press "ENTER", then test output code is displayed. Record the test output code on the repair order.

Fig 5: Displaying Battery Code
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Toggle back to the "DIAGNOSTIC SCREEN" for test results.
NOTE:
- If necessary, the tester will ask the user to determine if the battery has just been charged. Choose the appropriate selection by pressing the up or down arrow button and then press the "ENTER" button to make the selection.
- When testing a battery installed in a vehicle that has recently been driven, select "BEFORE CHANGE".
- If the battery has just been slow charged due to a "CHARGE & RETEST" decision by the tester, and the tester asks the user "BEFORE CHARGE/AFTER CHARGE", select "AFTER CHARGE".