Caution: Unless directed otherwise, the ignition and start switch must be in the OFF or LOCK position, and all electrical loads must be OFF before servicing any electrical component. Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent an electrical spark should a tool or equipment come in contact with an exposed electrical terminal. Failure to follow these precautions may result in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or its components.
Important: The battery test using the J 42000 Battery Tester requires correct connections to the battery terminals. A failure to obtain the correct connections during the test may result in replacing the battery unnecessarily. Adhere to the following instructions in order to avoid an incorrect diagnosis due to poor connections:
| • | When testing the vehicle with the battery cables still connected, rock the J 42000 clips back and forth on the terminal bolt in order to cut through any coating or oxidation that may be present on the bolt. |
| Even new bolts contain a protective coating that may insulate or cause a resistance in the test circuit. |
| • | If it is uncertain that correct connections can be made to the battery terminal bolts in the vehicle, perform the following steps: |
| 1. | Disconnect the battery cables. |
| 2. | Install the test adapters on the terminals. |
| 3. | Follow the instructions for testing the battery outside of the vehicle. |
| • | If a REPLACE BATTERY result is obtained for a battery tested in the vehicle with the battery cables connected, perform the following steps: |
| 1. | Disconnect the battery cables. |
| 2. | Install the approved battery terminal adapters. |
| 3. | Follow the instructions for testing the battery outside of the vehicle. |
| 4. | Replace the battery only if the second test shows a REPLACE BATTERY result. |
For warranty purposes, use the test code from the second test.
| • | Use the approved terminal adapters. |
| Do not use any common bolts or a combination of bolts, nut, and washers as adapters when testing the battery. |
| Use the test adapters that are provided with the J 42000 tester or GM part number 12303040 terminal adapters. If the adapters that are provided with the J 42000 tester require replacement, only use adapters with the GM part number 12303040. Any other adapters may not contact the correct areas of the battery terminal, causing resistance that may result in an invalid battery test result. |
| • | In order to test the top terminal, threaded stud batteries outside of the vehicle, use GM part number 12303040 adapters. |
| Do not connect the tester to the plain threaded terminals. |
Important: For warranty purposes, always place the test code displayed by the tester on the repair order. The number is a unique identifier that describes the test data for a particular battery at a particular time.
While the test code may occasionally repeat when retesting the same battery, it is more likely that a different code will result each time the battery is tested.Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tools Required
| ||||||||||||
1 | Has the Battery Check been performed? | -- | Go to Step 2 | Go to Battery Check . | ||||||||
2 | Is the battery in the vehicle, with the battery cables connected? | -- | Go to Step 4 | Go to Step 3 | ||||||||
3 |
Are the battery terminal adapters installed? | -- | Go to Step 6 | -- | ||||||||
4 | Ensure that the battery terminals are clean, tight, and in good condition Are the terminal connections OK? | -- | Go to Step 5 | Go to Battery Terminal Check . | ||||||||
5 |
Are all of the electrical loads and accessory lights OFF? | -- | Go to Step 6 | -- | ||||||||
6 |
Important: When testing the battery in the vehicle, connect the tester directly to the cable bolts. Do not connect either of the tester clamps to a remote terminal, such as a junction block or a jump start terminal. The use of a remote terminal will cause invalid test results.
The message GM MICRO 410 should appear for a short time on the tester display, and then change to SELECT TEST. Does the display read SELECT TEST? | -- | Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 7 | ||||||||
7 | Does a CHECK CONNECTION message appear on the J 42000 tester display? | -- | Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 9 | ||||||||
8 | Inspect the tester connections to the battery terminal adapters or cable bolts for the following conditions:
Does the tester display now read SELECT TEST? | -- | Go to Step 17 | Go to Step 12 | ||||||||
9 | Use a J 39200 digital multimeter (DMM) in order to test the battery voltage with the J 42000 tester connected. Is the voltage at or below the specified value? | 5.5 V | Go to Step 25 | Go to Step 29 | ||||||||
10 | Use the scroll keys on the J 42000 tester to select either IN-VEHICLE or OUT-OF-VEHICLE testing, depending on the following conditions:
Was IN-VEHICLE testing selected? | -- | Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 12 | ||||||||
11 | The display on the tester will show ALWAYS TEST AT BATTERY TERMINAL, and then change to SELECT RATING. Does the display read SELECT RATING? | -- | Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 37 | ||||||||
12 | For OUT-OF-VEHICLE testing, the display on the tester will show USE TERMINAL ADAPTERS, and then change to SELECT RATING. Does the tester display read SELECT RATING? | -- | Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 37 | ||||||||
13 |
Important: Refer to the Battery Usage Chart for the correct rating for the vehicle's original equipment (OE) battery. If a battery with a lower cold cranking amperage (CCA) rating has been installed in the vehicle, the battery may not perform properly during the use of the vehicle even if the battery passes the test using the J 42000 tester.
TESTING will appear briefly on the display, followed by the results of the test. Are the results of the test displayed? | -- | Go to Step 14 | -- | ||||||||
14 | Does GOOD BATTERY appear on the J 42000 display? | -- | Go to Step 22 | Go to Step 15 | ||||||||
15 | Does GOOD-RECHARGE appear on the tester display? | -- | Go to Step 25 | Go to Step 16 | ||||||||
16 | Does CHARGE & RETEST appear on the tester display? | -- | Go to Step 29 | Go to Step 17 | ||||||||
17 | Does REPLACE BATTERY appear on the tester display? | -- | Go to Step 26 | Go to Step 18 | ||||||||
18 | Does BAD CELL-REPLACE appear on the tester display? | -- | Go to Step 28 | Go to Step 19 | ||||||||
19 | Does SURFACE CHARGE DETECTED appear on the tester display? | -- | Go to Step 30 | Go to Step 20 | ||||||||
20 | Does SELECT TEMP appear on the tester display? | -- | Go to Step 33 | Go to Step 21 | ||||||||
21 | Does SYSTEM NOISE-CHECK LOADS, alternating with RETESTING, appear on the tester display? | -- | Go to Step 34 | Go to Step 37 | ||||||||
22 |
Is the green dot visible in the battery's hydrometer? | -- | Go to Step 24 | Go to Step 23 | ||||||||
23 | Charge the battery. Refer to Battery Charging Is the green dot visible in the hydrometer? | -- | Go to Step 24 | Go to Step 39 | ||||||||
24 | The battery is OK. Install the battery. Refer to Battery Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | System OK | -- | ||||||||
25 |
Is the green dot visible in the hydrometer? | -- | Go to Step 24 | -- | ||||||||
26 | Was the battery tested in the vehicle with the battery cables still attached? | -- | Go to Step 27 | Go to Step 28 | ||||||||
27 | Notice: Refer to Notice: Always turn the ignition OFF when connecting or disconnecting battery cables, battery chargers, or jumper cables. Failing to do so may damage the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) or other electronic components.
Are the actions complete? | -- | Go to Step 3 | -- | ||||||||
28 |
Is the action complete? | -- | Go to Step 2 | -- | ||||||||
29 |
Is the green dot visible in the battery hydrometer? | -- | Go to Step 2 | -- | ||||||||
30 |
Important: Surface charge removal is only necessary when the tester detects that a surface charge may affect the results of the test. The tester will not complete the testing sequence until the surface charge is removed. Follow the tester prompts in order to remove the surface charge by turning the vehicle's headlights ON and OFF. If the sequence is followed properly, the tester will automatically complete the test. If the sequence is not followed properly, the tester will display the message DISCONNECT AND RETEST. Does the DISCONNECT AND RETEST message appear? | -- | Go to Step 31 | Go to Step 32 | ||||||||
31 | Disconnect the J 42000 from the battery terminals. Is the action complete? | -- | Go to Step 2 | -- | ||||||||
32 | The tester will display the word RETESTING and show the CCA rating that was selected for the test. If the test is successfully completed, the test results will be displayed. Do the test results appear on the display? | -- | Go to Step 14 | Go to Step 36 | ||||||||
33 |
Important: Temperature compensation is only necessary when the tester detects that the battery temperature may affect the results of the test.
The tester will briefly display the RETESTING message and the CCA rating selected for the test. The test results will then show on the display. Do the test results show on the display? | -- | Go to Step 14 | Go to Step 37 | ||||||||
34 | The tester detects that a vehicle electrical load is present (such as a light is on or the ignition key is not in the OFF position). Turn OFF all of the system electrical loads. Are all of the system electrical loads OFF? | -- | Go to Step 35 | -- | ||||||||
35 | The J 42000 automatically retests the battery. A RETESTING message and SYSTEM NOISE message on the display alternates up to 5 (Five) minutes while all circuits power down. The test results will then display on the tester. Are the test results displayed on the tester? | -- | Go to Step 14 | Go to Step 36 | ||||||||
36 | An undetected load or parasitic drain can cause the alternating RETESTING and SYSTEM NOISE messages to continue for more than 5 (Five) minutes.
Are all electrical loads and parasitic drains eliminated? | -- | Go to Step 2 | -- | ||||||||
37 | A J 42000 problem is indicated. Inspect the tester for correct operation. Is the tester operating properly? | Go to Step 2 | Go to Step 38 | |||||||||
38 | Repair or replace the tester. Is the action complete? | -- | Go to Step 1 | -- | ||||||||
39 | A problem exists with the battery's built-in hydrometer. Replace the battery. Refer to Battery Replacement Is the action complete? | -- | System OK | -- | ||||||||
