BATTERY
GENERAL DESCRIPTIO N
There are six battery fluid caps on top of the battery.
These are covered by a paper label.
The battery is completely sealed except for the six small vent
holes on the side. These vent holes permit the escape of small
amounts of gas generated by the battery.
This type of battery has the following advantages over
conventional batteries:
1. There is no need to add water during the entire service life
of the battery.
2. The battery protects itself against overcharging.
The battery will refuse to accept an extensive charge.
(A conventional battery will accept an excessive charge,
resulting in gassing and loss of battery fluid.)
3. The battery is m uc h less vulner able to self dischar ge than a
conventional type battery.
SERVICE PRECAUTION
CAUTION:
Always use the correct fastener in the proper location.
When you replace a fastener, use ONLY the exact part
number for that application. HOLDEN will call out those
fasteners that require a replacement after removal.
HOLDEN will also call out the fasteners that require thread
lockers or thread sealant. UNLESS OTHERWISE
SPECIFIED, do not use supplemental coatings (Paints,
greases, or other corrosion inhibitors) on threaded
fasteners or fastener joint interfaces. Generally, such
coatings adversely affect the fastener torque and the joint
clamping force, and may damage the fastener. When you
install fasteners, use the correct tightening sequence and
specifications. Following these instructions can help you
avoid damage to parts and systems.
DIAGNOSIS
VISUAL INSPECTION
Inspect the battery for obvious physical damage, such as a
cracked or broken case, which would permit electrolyte loss.
Replace the battery if obvious physical damage is discovered
during inspection.
Check for any other physical damage and correct it as
necessary.
FLUID LEVEL CHECK
The fluid level should be between the upper level line (2) and
lower lever line (3) on side of battery.
a. CORRECT FLUID LEVEL - Charge the battery.
b. BELOW LOWER LEVEL - Replace battery.
VOLTAGE CHECK
1. Put voltmeter test leads to battery terminals.
a. VOLTAGE IS 12.4V OR ABOVE - Go to Step 5.
b. VOLTAGE IS UNDER 12.4V - Go to procedure (2)
below.
2. Determine fast charge amperage from specification.
(See Main Data and Specifications in this section).
Fast charge battery for 30 minutes at amperage rate no
higher than specified value.
Take voltage and amperage readings after charge.
a. VOLTAGE IS ABOVE 16V AT BELOW 1/3 OF
AMPERAGE RATE - Replace battery.
b. VOLTAGE IS ABOVE 16V AT ABOVE 1/3 OF
AMPERAGE RATE - Drop charging voltage to 15V and
charge for 10 - 15 hours. Then go to Step 5.
c. VOLTAGE IS BETWEEN 12V AND 16V - Continue
charging at the same rate for an additional 3-1/2 hours.
Then go to Step 5.
d. VOLTAGE BELOW 12V - Replace Battery.
BATTERY CHARGING
Observe the following safety precautions when charging the
battery:
1. Never attempt to charge the battery when the fluid level is
below the lower level line on the side of the battery. In this
case, the battery must be replaced.
2. Pay close attention to the battery during charging
procedure.
Battery charging should be discontinued or the rate o
f
charge reduced if the battery feels hot to the touch.
Battery charging should be discontinued or the rate o
f
charge reduced if the battery begins to gas or spe
w
electrolyte from the vent holes.
3. In order to more eas ily view the hydrometer blue dot or r ing,
it may be necessary to jiggle or tilt the battery.
4. Battery temperature can have a great effect on battery
charging capacity.
5. The sealed battery used on this vehicle m ay be either quick
charged or slow charged in the same manner as othe
r
batteries.
Whichever method you decide to use, be sure that you
completely charge the battery. Never partially charge the
battery.
JUMP STARTING
JUMP STARTING WITH AN AUXILIARY (BOOSTER)
BATTERY
CAUTION: Never push or tow the vehicle in an attempt to
start it. Serious damage to the emission system as well as
other vehicle parts will result.
Treat both the discharged battery and the booster battery
with great care when using jumper cables.
Carefully follow the jump-starting procedure, being careful
at all times to avoid sparking.
WARNING: FAILURE TO CAREFULLY FOLLOW THE JUMP
STARTING PROCEDURE COULD RESULT IN THE
FOLLOWING:
1. Serous personal injury, particularly to your eyes.
2. Property damage from a battery explosion, battery acid, o
r
an electrical fire.
3. Damage to the electronic components of one or both
vehicles particularly.
Never expose the battery to an open flame or electrical spark.
Gas generated by the battery may catch fire or explode.
Remove any rings, watches, or other jewelry before working
around the battery. Protect your eyes by wearing an approved
set of goggles.
Never allow battery fluid to come in contact with your eyes or
skin.
Never allow battery fluid to come in contact with fabrics or
painted surfaces.
Battery fluid is a highly corrosive acid.
Should battery fluid come in contact with your eyes, skin,
fabric, or a painted surface, immediately and thoroughly rinse
the affected area with clean tap water.
Never allow metal tools or jumper cables to come in contact
with the positive battery terminal, or any other metal surface of
the vehicle. This will protect against a short circuit.
Always keep batteries out of reach of young children.
JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE
1. Set the vehicle parking brake.
If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission,
place the selector level in the "PARK" position.
If the vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission place
the shift lever in the "NEUTRAL" position.
Turn "OFF" the ignition.
Turn "OFF" all lights and any other accessory requiring
electrical power.
2. Look at the built-in hydrometer.
If the indication area of the built-in hydrometer is com pletely
clear, do not try to jump-start.
3. Attach the end of one jumper cable to the positive terminal
of the booster battery.
Attach the other end of the same cable to the positive
terminal of the discharged battery.
Do not allow the vehicles to touch each other. This will
cause a ground connection, effectively neutralizing the
charging procedure.
Be sure that the booster battery has a 12 volt rating.
4. Attach one end of the remaining cable to the negative
terminal of the booster battery.
Attach the other end of the same cable to a solid engine
ground (suc h as the air conditioning compres sor brack et o
r
the generator mounting bracket) of the vehicle with the
discharged battery.
The ground connection must be at least 450 mm (18 in.)
from the battery of the vehicle whose battery is being
charged.
WARNING: NEVER ATTACH THE END OF THE JUMPER
CABLE DIRECTLY TO THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL OF THE
DEAD BATTERY.
5. Start the engine of the vehicle with the good battery.
Make sure that all unnecessary electrical accessories have
been turned "OFF".
6. Start the engine of the vehicle with the dead battery.
7. To rem ove the jum per c ables, f ollow the above directions in
reverse order.
Be sure to first disconnect the negative cable from the
vehicle with the discharged battery.
1
5
3
4
2
REMOVAL
1. Remove negative cable (1).
2. Remove positive cable (2).
3. Remove retainer screw and rods (3).
4. Remove retainer (4).
5. Remove battery (5).
INSTALLATION
1. Install battery.
2. Install retainer.
3. Install retainer screw and rods.
NOTE: Make sure that the rod is hooked on the body side.
4. Install positive cable.
5. Install negative cable.
MAIN DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Model (JIS) 50D20L
Voltage (V) 12
Cold Cranking Performance (Amp) 306
Reserve Capacity (Min) 78