Electrical - Battery Care & Maintenance: Overview
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINBulletin Nbr: 321-2668
Date:...........April 2007
Market: US/CA
Battery care
This bulletin provides information primarily on battery care.
WIS edition 2007-2 will contain this information.
Cars affected
Saab 9-3
Background
If a battery is left without maintenance for long periods, its degree of charge will gradually decrease. The rate at which the degree of charge decreases depends mainly on how much current is being used by the car's electrical system. There is a certain amount of self discharge even when the battery has been disconnected. This increases with rising temperatures.
If a battery is left with a degree of charge that is too low for a longer period then a chemical process starts where the battery acid is gradually converted into water and the battery plates start to corrode (sulphate). This corrosion process starts to become critical if the battery is left for approx. 2 weeks with a degree of charge below 65-75% (equivalent to an unloaded battery voltage of less than approx. 12.4 volts).
The damage that is then caused is permanent and cannot be remedied with normal battery recharging. As a result, the capacity and service life of the battery will be permanently impaired.
The purpose of this TSB is to prevent this type of damage to the battery arising, and so to enable an increase in the service life of the battery and, above all, to be able to ensure that the customer has a satisfactory battery.
To enable this, the following methods have been changed/added:
1. Pre-delivery inspection
1.1. Battery check during pre-delivery inspection
2. Storage care
2.1. Battery check during storage care
3. Delivery service
3.1. Battery check during delivery service
4. Battery check during service
5. Transport mode/customer mode of car's electrical system
Symptom description
The battery is discharged.
The battery does not respond to recharging.
The battery analyzer advises "Charge & test" or "Replace battery".
Parts required
Not affected.
Warranty/Time Information
Fault diagnosis procedure is not available.
Disclaimer