For 1990-2009 cars

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 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
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
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 3 | Go to Step 3
3 |

1. Lightly wire brush the lead faces of both battery terminals.
2. Install the terminal adapters to both of the terminals.

Are the adapters installed?

--

Go to Step 5

--

4 |

1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
2. Turn the electrical loads and all accessory lights to the OFF position.

Are all of the electrical loads and accessory lights OFF?

--

Go to Step 5

--

5 | 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.

1. Connect the red clamp on the J 42000 to the adapter or the cable bolt on the battery positive terminal.
2. Connect the black clamp on the tester to the adapter or cable bolt on the battery negative terminal.
3. Rock both of the tester clamps back and forth in order to cut through to the bare metal.

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 9

Go to Step 6

6 | Does a CHECK CONNECTION message appear on the J 42000 display? | -- | Go to Step 7 | Go to Step 8
7 | Inspect the tester connections to the battery terminal adapters or cable bolts for the following conditions:

• | Both sides of each tester clamp must make the correct contact.

• | Ensure that the red clamp is connected to the positive post and the black clamp is connected to the negative post.

• | If the adapters or the bolts appear corroded, rock the clamps back and forth in order to ensure a correct connection.

| Use a wire brush in order to clean the adapters or cable bolts, if needed.

Does the tester display now read SELECT TEST?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 11

8 | Use a 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 24 | Go to Step 28
9 | Use the scroll keys on the J 42000 tester in order to select either IN-VEHICLE or OUT-OF-VEHICLE testing, depending on the following conditions:

• | Use IN-VEHICLE testing if the battery cables are connected to the battery.

• | Use OUT-OF-VEHICLE testing if the battery cables are disconnected and the terminal adapters are installed.

Was IN-VEHICLE testing selected?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 11

10 | 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 12 | Go to Step 36
11 | 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 12 | Go to Step 36
12 | Important: Refer to Battery Usage for the correct rating for the vehicle's OE battery. If a battery with a lower 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.

1. Use the scroll keys on the J 42000 tester in order to select the CCA rating on the battery label.
2. Press the ENTER key on the 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 13

--

13 | Does GOOD BATTERY appear on the J 42000 display? | -- | Go to Step 21 | Go to Step 14
14 | Does GOOD-RECHARGE appear on the display? | -- | Go to Step 24 | Go to Step 15
15 | Does CHARGE & RETEST appear on the display? | -- | Go to Step 28 | Go to Step 16
16 | Does REPLACE BATTERY appear on the display? | -- | Go to Step 25 | Go to Step 17
17 | Does BAD CELL-REPLACE appear on the display? | -- | Go to Step 27 | Go to Step 18
18 | Does SURFACE CHARGE DETECTED appear on the display? | -- | Go to Step 29 | Go to Step 19
19 | Does SELECT TEMP appear on the display? | -- | Go to Step 32 | Go to Step 20
20 | Does SYSTEM NOISE-CHECK LOADS, alternating with RETESTING, appear on the display? | -- | Go to Step 33 | Go to Step 36
21 |

1. Press the CODE button on the J 42000.
2. For warranty purposes, write the displayed code on the repair order.

Is the green dot visible in the battery's hydrometer?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 22

22 | Charge the battery. Refer to Battery Charging . Is the green dot visible in the hydrometer? | -- | Go to Step 23 | Go to Step 38
23 | The battery is OK. Install the battery. Refer to Battery Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | System OK | --
24 |

1. Press the CODE button on the J 42000.
2. For warranty purposes, write the displayed code on the repair order.
3. Charge the battery. Refer to Battery Charging .

Is the green dot visible in the hydrometer?

--

Go to Step 23

--

25 | Was the battery tested in the vehicle with the battery cables still attached? | -- | Go to Step 26 | Go to Step 27
26 |

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.

1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.

Caution: Before servicing any electrical component, the ignition and start switch must be in the OFF or LOCK position and all electrical loads must be OFF, unless instructed otherwise in these procedures. If a tool or equipment could easily come in contact with a live exposed electrical terminal, also disconnect the negative battery cable. Failure to follow these precautions may cause personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or its components.

2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Disconnect the positive battery cable.

Are the actions complete?

--

Go to Step 3

--

27 |

1. Press the CODE button on the J 42000.
2. For warranty purpose, write the displayed code on the repair order.
3. Replace the battery. Refer to Battery Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 2

--

28 |

1. Press the CODE button on the J 42000.
2. For warranty purpose, write the displayed code on the repair order.
3. Charge the battery. Refer to Battery Charging .

Is the green dot visible in the battery hydrometer?

--

Go to Step 2

--

29 | 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 30

Go to Step 31

30 | Disconnect the tester from the battery terminals. Is the action complete? | -- | Go to Step 2 | --
31 | 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 13 | Go to Step 35
32 | Important: Temperature compensation is only necessary when the tester detects that the battery temperature may affect the results of the test.

1. Use the scroll keys in order to indicate whether the internal temperature of the battery is above or below 0°C (32°F). Use the temperature of the battery to which the battery has been exposed for the past several hours in order to estimate the temperature.
2. Push the ENTER key.

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 13

Go to Step 36

33 | The tester detects that a vehicle electrical load is not 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 34 | --
34 | The J 42000 automatically retests the battery. A RETESTING message and SYSTEM NOISE message on the display alternates up to 5 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 13 | Go to Step 35
35 | An undetected load or parasitic drain can cause the alternating RETESTING and SYSTEM NOISE messages to continue for more than 5 minutes.

1. Disconnect the J 42000 tester.
2. Eliminate all electrical drains. Refer to Battery Electrical Drain/Parasitic Load Test .

Are all electrical loads and parasitic drains eliminated?

--

Go to Step 2

--

36 | A J 42000 problem is indicated. Inspect the tester for correct operation. Is the tester operating properly? | -- | Go to Step 2 | Go to Step 37
37 | Repair or replace the tester. Is the action complete? | -- | Go to Step 1 | --
38 | A problem exists with the battery's built-in hydrometer. Replace the battery. Refer to Battery Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | System OK | --