Chrysler 300/300 Touring/300C, Dodge Magnum. Manual — part 408

CAUTION: Use care when connecting the battery
vent tube to the battery. The vent tube nipple is
made of plastic and is easily damaged if not con-
nected properly.

3. Gently connect the battery vent tube to the battery

nipple.

4. Latch the battery retention strap (4).

5. Connect the battery positive cable (1).

6. Connect the battery negative cable (2).

7. Install the rear compartment floor trim panel.

8F - 18

BATTERY SYSTEM

LX

BATTERY HOLDDOWN

REMOVAL

1. Verify that the ignition switch and all accessories

are OFF.

2. Remove the rear compartment floor, trim panel to

gain access to the battery.

3. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

4. Remove the bolt from the battery hold down and

remove the hold down.

INSTALLATION

1. Install the battery hold down clamp and bolt.

Torque the bolt to 4 N·m (35 in. lbs.).

2. Connect the battery negative cable.

3. Install the rear compartment floor trim panel.

LX

BATTERY SYSTEM

8F - 19

BATTERY CABLES

DESCRIPTION

The battery cables (1) and (2) are large gauge,
stranded copper wires sheathed within a heavy plastic
or synthetic rubber insulating jacket. The wire used in
the battery cables combines excellent flexibility and
reliability with high electrical current carrying capacity.
The battery cables feature a stamped brass clamping
type female battery terminal crimped onto one end of
the battery cable wire and then solder-dipped. A
square headed pinch-bolt and hex nut are installed at
the open end of the female battery terminal clamp.
Large eyelet type terminals are crimped onto the
opposite end of the battery cable wire and then sol-
der-dipped. The battery positive cable wires (1) have a
red insulating jacket to provide visual identification and
feature a larger female battery terminal clamp to allow
connection to the larger battery positive terminal post.
The battery negative cable wires (2) have a black
insulating jacket and a smaller female battery terminal
clamp.

The battery cables cannot be repaired and, if damaged or faulty they must be replaced. Both the battery positive
and negative cables are available for service replacement only as a unit with the battery wire harness, which may
include portions of the wiring circuits for the generator and other components on some models. Refer to the appro-
priate wiring information for the location of the proper battery cable wire harness diagrams. The wiring information
also includes proper wire and connector repair procedures, further details on wire harness routing and retention, as
well as pin-out and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.

OPERATION

The battery cables connect the battery terminal posts to the vehicle electrical system. These cables also provide a
path back to the battery for electrical current generated by the charging system for restoring the voltage potential of
the battery. The female battery terminal clamps on the ends of the battery cable wires provide a strong and reliable
connection of the battery cable to the battery terminal posts. The terminal pinch bolts allow the female terminal
clamps to be tightened around the male terminal posts on the top of the battery. The eyelet terminals secured to the
opposite ends of the battery cable wires from the female battery terminal clamps provide secure and reliable con-
nection of the battery cables to the vehicle electrical system.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

BATTERY CABLES

A voltage drop test will determine if there is excessive resistance in the battery cable terminal connections or the
battery cable. If excessive resistance is found in the battery cable connections, the connection point should be dis-
assembled, cleaned of all corrosion or foreign material, then reassembled. Following reassembly, check the voltage
drop for the battery cable connection and the battery cable again to confirm repair.

When performing the voltage drop test, it is important to remember that the voltage drop is giving an indication of
the resistance between the two points at which the voltmeter probes are attached. EXAMPLE: When testing the
resistance of the battery positive cable, touch the voltmeter leads to the battery positive cable terminal clamp and to
the battery positive cable eyelet terminal at the starter solenoid B(+) terminal stud. If you probe the battery positive
terminal post and the battery positive cable eyelet terminal at the starter solenoid B(+) terminal stud, you are read-
ing the combined voltage drop in the battery positive cable terminal clamp-to-terminal post connection and the bat-
tery positive cable.

VOLTAGE DROP TEST

The following operation will require a voltmeter accurate to 1/10 (0.10) volt. Before performing this test, be certain
that the following procedures are accomplished:

8F - 20

BATTERY SYSTEM

LX

•

The battery is fully-charged, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM/BATTERY - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE - BATTERY CHARGING) for the proper battery charging procedure.

•

The battery has successfully passed a load test, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/BATTERY SYSTEM/BATTERY -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - USING MICRO 420 BATTERY TESTER) for the proper load test procedure.

•

Fully engage the parking brake.

•

If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, place the gearshift selector lever in the Park position.
If the vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, place the gearshift selector lever in the Neutral position
and block the clutch pedal in the fully depressed position.

•

Verify that all lamps and accessories are turned off.

•

To prevent the engine from starting, remove the Automatic Shut Down (ASD) relay. The ASD relay is located
in the Power Distribution Center (PDC), in the engine compartment. See the fuse and relay layout label affixed
to the underside of the PDC cover for ASD relay identification and location.

1. Remove the spare tire cover to gain access to the

battery. Connect the positive lead of the voltmeter
to the battery negative terminal post. Connect the
negative lead of the voltmeter to the battery nega-
tive cable terminal clamp. Rotate and hold the igni-
tion switch in the Start position. Observe the
voltmeter. If voltage is detected, correct the poor
connection between the battery negative cable ter-
minal clamp and the battery negative terminal post.

2. Connect the positive lead of the voltmeter to the

battery positive terminal post. Connect the negative
lead of the voltmeter to the battery positive cable
terminal clamp. Rotate and hold the ignition switch
in the Start position. Observe the voltmeter. If volt-
age is detected, correct the poor connection

LX

BATTERY SYSTEM

8F - 21