Dodge Nitro :Battery issues?

How to Jump-Start a Car Battery Video




How to Jump-Start a Car Battery Video

How to Clean Battery Corrosion: 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro

How to Clean Battery Corrosion: 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro



Video Description

If the battery in your 2010 Dodge Nitro has crusty white or green build-up and corrosion on the clamps, posts or terminals, you can improve the performance and lifespan of your battery significantly by cleaning it. Your battery is depleted when it is used to start the car, but then recharged when you drive your Nitro, the corrosion limits the ability for your Nitro to recharge the battery when driving. The video above will show you the correct order to safely remove the battery clamps in your Nitro and what to use to clean your battery terminals and clamps. We will also show you a tip for preventing this buildup in the future so the battery in your Nitro will be optimally charged whenever you drive it!

Car batteries contain dangerous and flammable fluids. Always use safety glasses and gloves whenever working with the battery. Check out our parts page for great deals and coupons on safety glasses, gloves and battery terminal brushes for your Nitro!

How to Jumpstart a 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro

How to Jumpstart a 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro



Video Description

This video shows you how to jump start a dead battery in your 2010 Dodge Nitro. If you get into your Nitro, turn the key, and your car doesn't start (you may hear nothing or a clicking sound from the engine bay), you have a dead battery and need a jump-start. Check to see if you left your headlights or an interior light on and turn the switch off. Assuming that you have a pair of jumper cables, a pair of safety glasses and a friend to give you a jumpstart, the video above will show you where to connect the cables (and in what order!) for your Nitro. Once you are finished reviving a dead car battery in your Nitro, make sure you drive it for at least 5 minutes before turning it off so your battery isn't dead the next time.

So what's up with the safety glasses? There is a small possibility of a battery exploding during the charging process if you don't connect the cables properly (causing a spark) and there is a bunch of hydrogen gas around the battery (car batteries emit hydrogen gas when they discharge) - this is much more of an issue with cars that haven't been driven for a long time than if you drive your Nitro regularly and simply forgot to turn your lights off.

Battery Replacement: 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro

Battery Replacement: 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro



Video Description

The video above shows you how to replace the battery in your 2010 Dodge Nitro. We recommend changing the battery in Dodges every 4 years. Although some batteries last much longer, most batteries begin breaking down chemically after four years, so you could experience dimmer headlights and other negative effects before you have a dead battery in your Nitro that you need to replace.

Replacing the battery in your Nitro involves removing the terminals. When you reconnect the terminals, your radio presets are likely to be cleared out. In some Nitros, you may need to re-enter a security code to get your radio to work again. Check for this code in your owners manual - it will usually be either a sticker or small card in the booklet. If you can't find it, call Dodge and they will give you the code for free. In many Dodges, the transmission "learns" how you drive over time and makes adjustments, so you may experience altered driving dynamics as your car re-learns your driving style after changing the battery.

My MOPAR Battery Experience

My MOPAR Battery Experience

10/11/2015

Back in June 2012 after over 4 years of use I decided to replace my original equipment battery in my Nitro. Nothing was really wrong but I knew it was time.

I told my Dealership Service Advisor to install the best battery they had, for a replacement. They installed a MOPAR 72 Series part # BB034600AA (600CCA) battery at a cost of $159.95.

Fast forward to October 2015

I went out to start my very low mileage Nitro that had been parked in the garage, and to my surprise it did not start but made a strange short clicking noise before going completely dead. My first reaction was that it was a very costly to replace TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Issue, since I had not had any battery issues.

I got out my battery charge and indeed the battery was completely dead so maybe it just needed to be recharged. The next day the battery did show it had been charged, but not fully? The Nitro again would not start and went completely dead again, so I left the charge on for another day.

Same issue again, so I used my Wife’s vehicle and a set of jumper cables inside the garage and to my delight my Nitro started! I then was more that sure that my new 3 year plus MOPAR battery was defective.

I have replaced numerous failed batteries over the years and nearly all went bad in the summer or fall, NOT in the winter.

I kept the vehicle running for several hours backing the vehicle outside the garage and faced it toward the street in case it would require a tow or another jump, before turning it off.

I decided to take it to my Dealership since no matter what was wrong it had to be repaired anyway and when I attempted to start it just barely started.
I drove it to the Dealership and explained that I was 99% sure it had a bad battery under warranty and left it running and told them if they shut it off it would not start! I asked and explained that if it was going to cost me more than the cost of a new battery, to diagnostic to just install a new one.

The Service Advisor looked it up and said if the battery was bad the pro-rate would be $80 to replace. She explained that if the battery was not defective there would be a labor charge so I said O.K. I left the vehicle overnight since I was told they cannot check a battery if driven in for around 45 minutes.

She called the next morning and left a message stating I was right that the battery was indeed bad and that the charges were $80.00 for a total of $120.00 including labor!

I called her back and said “what was the deal with any labor charge”? Her response was it was figured by the Chrysler Warranty Employee. I told her to recheck that, but when I went to pick up the Nitro the amount was the same. She explained that they had run this claim again and that Chrysler would not pay the labor.

In a calm voice I told her that no one in town would have charged me $160 in the first place for a battery and that Auto Zone would have checked my battery for free, charged it for free if needed, and installed a new or replacement battery for no labor charges! Do you really want to lose a long time customer for $40? The charge was removed.

CONCLUSION

I purchased a 72 month MOPAR battery that lasted about what is expected just over 3 years. The extra expense must be to cover the prorate warranty expense. I would have save I suspect If I had just purchased a 36 month battery originally and then another in three years (before it went bad) as others have suggested and forget about a long-term prorated battery.

Mopar Replacement Battery Limited Warranty

Mopar® and Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar Replacement Battery Limited Warranty

10/11/2015

Batteries found to be defective in materials or workmanship will be replaced at no charge for the part specified free replacement period from the date of purchase, as noted below.

Batteries installed on an FCA US LLC vehicle covered by the New Vehicle Basic Limited Warranty,which are found to be defective, are warranted for the remainder of the New Vehicle Basic Limited Warranty, or within the free replacement period, whichever is more favorable to the customer.

If the vehicle is equipped with a prorated warranty battery (not all batteries include a prorated warranty, see the top of the battery for warranty details), the owner may receive a prorated allowance toward the purchase of a new Mopar or Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar replacement battery.

If the vehicle is not equipped with a prorated warranty battery, is no longer covered by the NewVehicle Basic Limited Warranty, and the free replacement period for the Mopar® and Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar Battery Warranty has expired, the owner may receive a prorated allowance toward the purchase of a new Mopar or Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar replacement battery.

This warranty is given only to the original retail purchaser, and this warranty is thus non-transferable. The prorated amount will be computed by dividing the number of months since the date the battery was purchased or installed as original equipment (as shown by the date on the customer repair order or parts counter ticket) by the number of months of proration shown on the battery and multiplied by the purchase price of the battery. A battery that fails under the New Vehicle Basic Limited Warranty will be replaced with a Mopar battery of equal or next highest amp-hour rating.

What Is Not Covered:
Batteries that are discharged are not considered defective.

The MOPAR warranty will replace at no charge the MOPAR 60 & 72 Series at no charge for the first 18 months if found defective, and after that they are prorated. I suspect that this is what you will find with most replacement aftermarket batteries. However I doubt that most parts stores would charge you labor to install it as Chrysler will. Hope this may be of some help if you too find your Nitro in need of a replacement battery.

Another Battery Rant

I’m back again with another battery rant, this time with my Wife’s 2010 Ford Taurus Limited (same body style as the 2015 models). This is another example of battery failure after just over THREE years even if you purchase the best battery from your Dealership!

Back in October 2012 my Wife became stranded out of town when her car would not start. It has one of those push to start buttons and was parked at night up to a garage door. The lights would work and the radio but nothing to start the vehicle. Finally, family (I was not along) got into the hood and jump started the vehicle. The next day I took it in to the Ford Dealership for repairs, but they found nothing wrong. If it was not the battery maybe it was a starter relay or something else electrical.

Within a week or so I received one of those Dealership service coupons for a free battery check so I took the vehicle back in. At that time the original factory battery was 3 years and one week old! They ran a check and said the battery had not failed but could stand to be replaced. I purchased their best Ford 100-month battery that had a warranty of 36-month free replacement then pro rate.

Last week the Taurus was in for service and guess what? The 650 CCA battery was reading in the lower 400s under load and had not failed, but should be replaced, this only after 39 months!

Talking with marine mechanic friend he says all the new boats have a ton of electronics (just like the fully loaded Taurus) and by the time they are loaded up the battery might not have enough juice to start. He said all boats now have 1000 CCA batteries at least, and to check into auto batteries with a much higher rating.

I did and have installed my third battery counting the original with a 950 CCA very impressive specs that may last 6-8 years, and guaranteed a full four years, hopefully.

Odyssey 65-PC1750T Automotive and LTV Battery (Note: This battery model will not fit the Nitro)

• Cold Crank Amp (CCA)- 950
• Better warranty: Limited 4 year full replacement warranty - not pro rata

• Longer service life: With 3-10 years of service life, ODYSSEY batteries save consumers time, money, and aggravation

Longer cycle life: 70 percentage longer cycle life compared to conventional deep cycle batteries, up to 400 cycles at 80 percentage depth of discharge- high stable voltage for longer periods of time

Faster recharge: The highest recharge efficiency of any sealed lead battery on the market, capable of 100 percentage recharge in 4 - 6 hours

• Mounting flexibility: Non-spillable design

Vibration resistance- design protects against high impact shock and mechanical vibration

• Extreme temperature tolerant- Operating temperatures from -40 degree Celsius (-40 degree Fahrenheit) to 45 degree Celsius (113 degree Fahrenheit)

Click to expand...

These Odyssey batteries are made in the USA and were rebranded Diehard by Sears when they had Auto Centers. Item Weight 60 pounds Purchased from Amazon with free shipping.

Odyssey NITRO Battery Replacement

If any Nitro owner is interested in a replacement Odyssey battery as I mentioned in the above post (as I will be when my third battery expires around 3 years I suspect) here is some info:

Odyssey 34-PC1500T Automotive and LTV Battery

Click HERE



Cold Crank Amp (CCA)- 850

Better warranty: 4 year full replacement warranty - not pro rata
Longer service life: With 3-10 years of service life, ODYSSEY batteries save consumers time, money, and aggravation

Longer cycle life: 70 percentage longer cycle life compared to conventional deep cycle batteries, up to 400 cycles at 80 percentage depth of discharge- high stable voltage for longer periods of time

Faster recharge: The highest recharge efficiency of any sealed lead battery on the market, capable of 100 percentage recharge in 4 - 6 hours

Mounting flexibility: Non-spillable design

Vibration resistance- design protects against high impact shock and mechanical vibration

Extreme temperature tolerant- Operating temperatures from -40 degree Celsius (-40 degree Fahrenheit) to 45 degree Celsius (113 degree Fahrenheit)

Click to expand...

No Crank, No Start troubleshooting

Published on Jul 22, 2016

How to test a starting system on a 2000 Jeep Wrangler 4.0 using just a basic test light. In this video I will be showing you how to quickly locate the problem of any no crank problem, on any car.

Symptoms
- engine does not crank
- headlights remain bright

Fix
- replace faulty starter motor

Tests shown
- how to determine battery state of charge without a voltmeter
- discuss what variables you need to consider when using the headlights as a guide during cranking
- how to test a starter motor using a test light
- how to test the starter ground on the block
- how to determine ignition switch and park/neutral switch operation
- how to bench test a starter motor

Tools used
- incandescent test light
- remote battery jump starter
- pocket screwdriver

Playlist
- Starting, Charging and Battery system problems
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

Battery & Alternator Tester



Cartman 12V Car Battery & Alternator Tester - Test Battery Condition & Alternator Charging (LED indication)