For 1990-2009 cars

# WEAK OR DISCHARGED BATTERY, SLOW STARTING, GEN. OR MIL. ON

#### SUBJECT: WEAK OR DISCHARGED BATTERY, SLOW STARTING, GEN OR MIL LAMP ON, VARIOUS DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOMS (REPAIR B+ STUD AND/OR WIRING ON STARTER)

#### MODELS: 1997-98 BUICK SKYLARK 1997-98 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, MALIBU 1997-98 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA, CUTLASS 1997-98 PONTIAC GRAND AM, SUNFIRE 1997-98 TOYOTA CAVALIER WITH 2.2L, 2.4L OR 3.1L ENGINE (VINS 4,T,M - RPOS LN2, LD9, L82)

#### CONDITION:

SOME OWNERS MAY REPORT THE BATTERY IS WEAK OR DISCHARGED; THE STARTING MOTOR MAY TURN SLOWLY; THE GENERATOR IS NOT CHARGING AND/OR THE GENERATOR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) MAY BE ON, POSSIBLY INTERMITTENT. DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOMS MAY ALSO BE EXPERIENCED.

#### CAUSE:

IF FOLLOWING STEPS 1, 2 OR 3 OF STRATEGY BASED DIAGNOSTICS DID NOT REVEAL THE CAUSE, THE GENERATOR OUTPUT AND BATTERY POSITIVE CABLE TERMINAL AT THE STARTING MOTOR (CKT 1 - VIN T AND M; CKT 2 - VIN 4) MAY BE LOOSE, CAUSING A HIGH RESISTANCE IN THE BATTERY POSITIVE CIRCUIT FROM THE GENERATOR TO THE BATTERY.

#### CORRECTION:

INSPECT THE CONDITION OF THE STARTING MOTOR B+ STUD, WIRE, RING TERMINALS AND NUT. CLEAN EACH MATING SURFACE AND REPLACE DAMAGED PARTS. TIGHTEN POSITIVE BATTERY B+ CABLE TO STARTER SOLENOID NUT TO 12 N.M (106 LB IN). REFER TO THE "STARTING MOTOR REPLACEMENT" PORTION IN THE ENGINE ELECTRICAL SECTION OF THE SERVICE MANUAL.

RECHARGE AND LOAD TEST THE BATTERY IF REQUIRED. REFER TO "BATTERY CHARGING" IN THE ENGINE ELECTRICAL SECTION OF THE SERVICE MANUAL.

#### IMPORTANT:

THE GENERATOR AND BATTERY ARE NOT DAMAGED AND SHOULD NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT.

#### WARRANTY INFORMATION:

FOR VEHICLES REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, USE:

LABOR OPERATION LABOR OPERATION NUMBER DESCRIPTION TIME =============== ================================= ==============

N6480 WIRING AND/OR CONNECTOR, USE PUBLISHED STARTER - REPAIR LABOR OPERATION TIME

FIGURES: 00

ATTACHMENTS: 00

GENERAL MOTORS BULLETINS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS, NOT A "DO-IT-YOURSELFER". THEY ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM THOSE TECHNICIANS OF CONDITIONS THAT MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES, OR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT COULD ASSIST IN THE PROPER SERVICE OF A VEHICLE. PROPERLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS HAVE THE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND KNOW-HOW TO DO A JOB PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IF A CONDITION IS DESCRIBED, DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE BULLETIN APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, OR THAT YOUR VEHICLE WILL HAVE THAT CONDITION. SEE A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER SERVICING YOUR BRAND OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE FOR INFORMATION ON WHETHER YOUR VEHICLE MAY BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION.

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