mxu 500 irs efi Manuel atelier : Page 355

          17. BATTERY/CHARGING SYSTEM                                                         MXU 500 IRS


 SERVICE INFORMATION
 GENERAL
 CAUTION
  · The battery gives off explosive gases; keep sparks, flames and cigarettes away. Provide
    adequate ventilation when charging.
  · The battery contains sulfuric acid (electrolyte). Contact with skin or eyes may cause severe
    burns. Wear protective clothing and a face shield.
    If electrolyte gets on your skin, flush with water.
    If electrolyte gets in your eyes, flush with water for at least 15 minutes and call a physician
       immediately.
  · Electrolyte is poisonous.
    If swallowed, drink large quantities of water or milk and call your local Poison Control
       Center or physician immediately, KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

 · Always turn off the ignition switch before disconnecting any electrical component.
 · Some electrical components may be damaged if terminals or connectors are connected or
   disconnected while the ignition switch is turned to "ON" and current is present.
 · For extended storage, remove the battery, give it a full charge, and store it in a cool, dry place.
 · For a battery remaining in a shorted vehicle, disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery.
 · The battery caps should not be removed. Attempting to remove the sealing caps from the cells
   may damage the battery.
 · The maintenance free battery must be replaced when it reaches the end of its service life.
 · The battery can be damaged if overcharged or undercharged, or if left to discharge for long
   period. These same conditions contribute to shortening the "life span" of the battery. Even under
   normal use, the performance of the battery deteriorates after 2-3 years.
 · Battery voltage may recover after battery charging, but under heavy load, the battery voltage will
   drop quickly and eventually die out. For this reason, the charging system is often suspected as the
   problem. Battery overcharge often results from problems in the battery itself, which may appear
   to be an overcharging symptom. If one of the battery cells is shorted and battery voltage does not
   increase, the regulator/rectifier supplies excess voltage to the battery. Under these conditions, the
   electrolyte level goes down quickly.
 · Before troubleshooting the charging system, check for proper use and maintenance of the battery.
   Check if the battery is frequently under heavy load, such as having the headlight and taillight on
   for long periods of time without riding the vehicle.
 · The battery self-discharge when the vehicle is not in use, for this reason, charge the battery every
   2 weeks to prevent sulfate from occurring.
 · Filling a new battery with electrolyte will produce some voltage, but in order to achieve its
   maximum performance, always charge the battery. Also, the battery life is lengthened when it is
   initially charged.
 · When checking the charging system, always follow the steps in the troubleshooting flow chart
   (page 17-4)




                                                                                               17-2