Tester Usage

To ensure a complete and thorough diagnosis, the battery, starter and alternator test segments must be done as a set from start to finish (unless the bulletin instructs otherwise). In most cases it will take less than five minutes.

WARNING:
When working with batteries always wear appropriate eye protection.

NOTES:

^ If battery surface charge is detected while testing, the tester will prompt you to turn on the headlights to remove the surface charge. Follow the instructions on the display. After detecting the removal of the surface charge, the tester will automatically resume testing.

^ If necessary, the tester will prompt you to determine if the battery temperature is above or below 32 degrees F. Choose the appropriate selection by pressing the up or down arrow button, then press ENTER to make the selection.

^ When testing older model diesel engines in cold weather, operation of the glow plugs may cause incorrect test results. Warm the engine to operating temperature first, then proceed with testing.

1. Record the radio presets for reprogramming after the test (if needed).

2. Using CONSULT or CONSULT II (where applicable) ENGINE DATA MONITOR mode, check the engine coolant temperature. Write this value onto the repair order.

3. Confirm the engine oil level is correct and that the Nissan recommended weight of engine oil (such as 5W30) is being used.

NOTE:
Steps # 2 and # 3 need to be checked as support data for the starter test.

4. Turn off all loads on the vehicle electrical system. They must remain off until step 15. Make sure the ignition is in the "off" position.

Battery Test Segment

5. Visually inspect the battery, battery terminals and cable ends. Clean as necessary. If the battery case is cracked or the terminals damaged, replace the battery.

NOTE:
The contact surface between the battery terminals, cable ends and tester leads must be clean for a valid test. A poor connection will prevent testing and a CHECK CONNECTION message will appear during the test procedures. If this occurs, clean the battery post and terminals, reconnect them and restart the test.

6. Connect the red tester lead clamp to the positive battery terminal, and the black to the negative. Wiggle the lead clamps so the clamp teeth bite into the cable ends.

7. The tester will turn on automatically. Using the arrow keys select "In Vehicle" on the tester then press the ENTER key.

8. Locate the battery type and rating stamped or written on the top case of the battery to be tested. It will have either of the following ratings:

^ CCA: Cold Cranking Amps (490 CCA, 550 CCA, etc.)

^ JIS: Japanese Industrial Standard. Battery is stamped with a number such as: 80D26L = 80 (rank of output), D (physical size - depth), 26 (width in cm). The last character L (post configuration) is not input into the tester

NOTE:
The tester requires the rating for the battery be entered exactly as it is written or stamped on the battery. Do not attempt a CCA conversion for JIS stamped batteries. JIS must be input directly.

9. Using the arrow and ENTER keys alternately, select the battery type and rating determined above.

NOTE:
The tester lists five choices here; CCA, JIS, IEC, DIN, and EN. Only use CCA or JIS.

10. Press ENTER to begin the test. Write the diagnosis and the test values displayed on the tester onto the repair order.

NOTES:

^ If necessary, the tester will ask the user to determine if the battery has just been charged. Choose the appropriate selection by pressing the up or down arrow button then press the ENTER button to make the selection.

^ When testing a battery installed in a vehicle that has recently been driven, select BEFORE CHARGE.

^ If the battery has just been slow charged due to a "CHARGE & RETEST" decision by the tester, and the tester asks the user BEFORE CHARGE/AFTER CHARGE, select AFTER CHARGE.

11. Once the battery test result is viewed, follow the tester prompt and press ENTER to obtain the 12 character test output code (this coding does not use the letters I or O). Write the 12 character test output code (for example BATCC-L9CPGGG) on the repair order, then toggle back to the diagnostic screen. One of five diagnostic results will be displayed on the tester screen:

^ GOOD BATTERY: Go to step 12.

^ REPLACE BATTERY: Clean the battery cable clamps and battery posts if it has not already been done earlier. Return to step 6 and recheck the results. If the second test shows REPLACE BATTERY, do so and return to step 6.

^ BAD CELL-REPLACE: Replace the battery and return to step 6 above.

^ GOOD-RECHARGE: Perform the Slow Battery Charging Procedure in this bulletin. Once the charging is done, return to step 6, above.

^ CHARGE & RETEST: Perform the Slow Battery Charging Procedure in this bulletin. Once the charging is done, return to step 6, above. If the tester asks the user BEFORE CHARGE/AFTER CHARGE, select AFTER CHARGE.

CAUTION:
Never fast charge batteries. See Slow Battery Charging procedures and cautions on next page of this bulletin.

Starting System and Charging System Test Segment

12. Follow the tester prompt and press ENTER to begin the starting system test. Then start the engine. Write the diagnostic results and the test values displayed on the tester onto the repair order. One of the following diagnostic results will be displayed:

^ CRANKING VOLTAGE NORMAL: Click here or refer to "CRANKING VOLTAGE NORMAL" in Attachment I of this bulletin

^ CRANKING VOLTAGE LOW or if the starter does not run: Click here or refer to "CRANKING VOLTAGE LOW" in Attachment I of this bulletin.

^ CHARGE BATTERY: Return to step 11, GOOD-RECHARGE/CHARGE & RETEST.

^ REPLACE BATTERY: Return to step 11, REPLACE BATTERY.

NOTE:
If the starter performs normally but the engine does not start, perform engine diagnosis. Once resolved, return to step 6.

NOTE:
For intermittent NO CRANK / NO STARTER OPERATION incidents, click here or refer to "NO CRANK / NO STARTER OPERATION" in Attachment I of this bulletin.

13. Press ENTER to begin the charging system test. When complete, the tester will prompt you to press ENTER again.

14. Raise and hold the engine speed to 1500 - 2000 RPM for about 5 seconds, then return the engine to idle. Press ENTER to continue once the rev is detected.

NOTE:
If after 30 seconds an increase in engine idle speed is not detected, RPM NOT DETECTED will display. Press ENTER and redo step 13.

NOTE:
Some engines may have a higher idle initially after starting, particularly when the engine is cold. The tester may detect this without any other action being taken. If this occurs, continue on with the testing process. The final results will not be affected.

15. The tester will now check the engine at idle and perform the Diode/Ripple check. When complete, the tester will prompt you to turn on electrical loads. Turn on the following:

^ Heater fan on Manual systems to High. On Auto A/C systems set to highest heat, floor duct. Do not run the A/C or windshield defroster.

^ Headlights on high beam.

^ Rear window defogger (if equipped).

^ Do not run the windshield wipers or any other cyclical loads.

16. Press ENTER to continue. Raise and hold the engine speed to 1500 - 2000 RPM for about 5 seconds, then return the engine to idle. The tester will show that it detected the increased engine speed. Press ENTER to continue.

NOTE:
If after 30 seconds an increase in engine idle speed is not detected, RPM NOT DETECTED will display. Repeat step 16.

17. The tester will analyze all the readings and provide the results of the charging system test.

NOTE:
The option PRESS ENTER FOR CHARGING CODE will toggle with the charging system test results. First press ENTER and write the 12 character test output code (for example ALTST-2UQ3Q28) on the repair order (this coding does not use the letters I or O). Then toggle back to the diagnostic screen. It will display some of the following possible test results:

^ CHARGING SYSTEM NORMAL, DIODE RIPPLE NORMAL: Go to step 18.

^ IDLE VOLT/LOAD VOLT: Write these values on the repair order, then continue reading results of testing.

^ CHARGING SYSTEM INCIDENT: If this is displayed, one of the four following results will also be displayed: NO CHARGING VOLTAGE, LOW CHARGING VOLTAGE, HIGH CHARGING VOLTAGE or EXCESS RIPPLE DETECTED. For these results click here or refer to Attachment II of this bulletin. Once resolved, return to step 6.

18. Turn off the engine and disconnect the tester.

19. Reprogram radio presets if necessary.