Battery Check
Battery Check
Test procedure
Check the battery with Battery Analyzer 311.
Use the cursor keys to select the correct alternative in each menu.
Press ENTER to confirm your selection. The selections made are retained as menu defaults the next time the analyzer is activated.
1. Check the electrolyte level (especially on hot climates). The battery cannot be topped up with battery acid. If the electrolyte level is low, the battery must be replaced.
A window on the battery shows the level of the battery electrolyte. This window will be white if the electrolyte level is too low and black if there is sufficient electrolyte.
IMPORTANT
If the electrolyte level is too low for long periods, it will cause permanent damage and shorten the service life of the battery.
2. Remove the battery leads. Clean the battery terminals and grease them with petroleum jelly, part no.30 06 665.
3. Connect the red cable clip to the positive terminal (+). (Reversed polarity will not damage the analyser.)
4. Connect the black cable clip to the negative terminal (-). When both clips are connected, the analyser will be activated automatically and a self-test will start. If the analyser is defective, the message "INTERNAL ERROR SERVICE REQUIRED" will appear.
5. Make sure the cable clips make good contact.
6. In response to "SELECT TEST" select ("IN-VEHICLE") if the battery is connected to the car's electrical system or ("OUT-OF-VEHICLE") if not. Select ("OUT-OF-VEHICLE") since the battery is not connected.
7. Under "BATTERY TYPE", select whether the battery is factory-fitted ("SAAB BATTERY") or a replacement battery from another manufacturer ("NON-SAAB").
8. Confirm with "SELECT TEST BY SAE(A)" if the battery's cold starting current is specified according to CCA (SAE) standard. For batteries specified according to DIN, select and confirm with "SELECT TEST BY DIN (A)".
IMPORTANT
CCA(SAE) is always applicable for Saab's factory-fitted batteries
The DIN standard can be selected when the analyser is used to test replacement batteries that are not specified according to SAE.
9. Enter the cold starting current for the battery in question.
On Saab's factory-fitted batteries, this value can be found in large characters on the label on top of the battery from model year 1999 inclusive.
The table below indicates the CCA (SAE) values that have been applied to factory- fitted batteries since model year 1994 and should be used when using Battery Analyser 311 to test the respective battery.
IMPORTANT
If the battery specification for cold starting current cannot be identified, the following standard values should be used.
9000 and 9-5 with A/C 640 CCA (SAE)
9000 and 9-5 without A/C 570 CCA (SAE)
After selecting and confirming a value, the actual battery test will start automatically.
"SELECT MODE BEFORE CHARGE"
"SELECT MODE AFTER CHARGE"
Under certain voltage and conductance conditions, the analyser will require information on whether the test is being performed before or after the battery has been charged in order to assess it correctly.
IMPORTANT
Make a practice of also the electrolyte level before testing the battery. This is especially important in warm climates.
After answering the question/s, the analyser will display the result of the test in one of the following ways:
Message Meaning
GOOD BATTERY Fully charged. No action needed.
GOOD - RECHARGE Recharge the battery, connect and use
CHARGE & TEST Charge the battery and repeat the test. If the same message appears after recharging, change the battery.
REPLACE BATTERY Replace the battery.
BAD CELL - REPLACE Replace the battery.
When the messages "GOOD BATTERY" and "GOOD - RECHARGE" are shown, the display alternates between the message and the degree of charge in steps of 25%, e.g. "STATE OF CHARGE: 0-25%". This value provides a clear indication of the current state of the battery.
Make a note of the test code when the analyzer indicates that the battery requires changing under warranty. The test code from this test should be included with the warranty claim.
IMPORTANT
Test the replacement battery also with Battery Analyser 311 before fitting it in the car. If the cold starting current of the replacement battery is not specified according to SAE standard, the test can be performed to DIN in step 7 above.