Car Parts and Accessories

When you turn the key and nothing happens, or all you hear is faulty click, the battery might be dead, or the car might have afaulty neutral or park switch. Try wiggling the shift handle in park or neutral while turning the key. If it doesn’t start, turn on the headlights and turn the key. If the headlights (or dash lights) dim or go out, the battery is weak, the battery cables are loose, or the battery terminals are corroded. Other possible causes are wet plug wires or distributor, a flooded engine, or a faulty fuel pump.

Auto Tools & Materials

• Clean rag or paper towels
• Float battery hydrometer
• Socket wrench
• Open-ended wrench
• Screwdriver
• Pliers
• Terminal puller
• Knife
• Wire battery brush
• Baking soda
• Water
• Toothpicks
• Petroleum jelly
• Jumper cables
• Droplight

Step 3-1. Checking a sealed, maintenance-free battery.

If your car has a maintenance- free battery, you should see a small window in one of the vent caps. This sight glass indicates the condition of the battery. Wipe off the glass with a paper towel or small rag.

Step 3-2.Reading the sight glass.

If the glass is dark with a green dot, the battery is okay. If the glass is just dark, the battery might need charging. If the glass is clear, or has a yellow dot, the battery needs to be replaced.

Step 3-3. Checking a nonsealed Auto Car battery.

A nonsealed battery has removable caps above the cells of the battery. This type of battery can be checked with a float hydrometer (Step 3-4). Remove the caps from the top of the battery and check the level of the water (electrolyte) in each cell. It should be about 1/4 inch above the top of the plates. If it isn’t, add a little distilled water.

Step 3-4. Filling theAuto Car hydrometer.

Insert the tip of the hydrometer into the battery and draw up enough water to float the balls or the float.

Step 3-5. Reading the Auto Car hydrometer.

Hold the hydrometer up to eye level and compare the number of balls floating to the chart on the hydrometer. It might read something like “3 balls floating, 75-percent charge.” The float hydrometer has a scale marked off on the float. Read the number at the water line on the float. A reading of 1230 indicates about a 75-percent charge. Release the water from the hydrometer back into the battery and retest for accuracy. Test each cell. If any one cell tests bad, the battery should be replaced. If the battery is good but the posts and clamps are corroded, you need to clean them to allow a good connection.

Step 3-6.Disconnecting theAuto Car battery.

Caution: The electrolyte in the battery produces highly explosive hydrogen gas. To avoid accidental sparks, always disconnect the negative cable first, and always connect the positive cable first. Never pound on a battery post when removing or connecting cable clamps.

Step 3-7.Removing the Auto Car clamps.

Use a socket wrench and an open- end wrench (1/2 or 9/16 inch), not pliers, to loosen the nut on the cable clamp. Hold the bolt with the open-ended wrench and loosen the nut with the socket wrench. On batteries with side terminals, use a box wrench to remove the terminal bolt. You can use the flat blade of a screwdriver to pry the clamps apart, but use a terminal puller for stubborn clamps.

Step 3-8. Using the Auto Car terminal puller.

Fit the ends of the terminal puller under the clamp and tighten the puller screw against the battery post until the clamp is free.

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