PROTECTION OF BATTERIES DURING VEHICLE STORAGE

Models Affected: All

As in the past, it is the responsibility of Buick dealers to assure that all vehicles in dealership storage are protected from damage and are delivered to the customer in a condition free from all items that might cause negative customer comment.

You will soon be receiving shipments of the all-new 1985 front wheel drive Electras. It is again important that these cars be properly stored to assure they are in the best possible condition on introduction day and at the time of delivery.

One item which is directly under the dealer's control is protection of the car's battery during storage. Today's Buicks have many high technology electronic devices which result in very small but continuous current drains on their batteries, commonly referred to as "parasitic loads". Vehicles that are not used for an extended period of time may develop extremely discharged and/or permanently damaged batteries resulting from these parasitic loads. Discharged batteries can freeze at temperatures as high as 32 DEG F causing permanent damage.

To alleviate this condition, the negative battery cable should be disconnected on vehicles which are not going to be in service within a 20-day period, beginning from the time the car is shipped. If this is not possible, batteries should be recharged periodically, every 20-45 days, until the green dot is visible, if so equipped. Immediately prior to delivery, the battery eye is to be checked once again and the battery is to be recharged if the green dot is not visible.

NOTICE: The ignition switch must be off when connecting or disconnecting battery cables or chargers. Failure to do so may overstress or damage the ECM or other electronic components.

Batteries damaged during storage are the dealer's responsibility and are not covered under warranty.

Refer to Bulletin 83-22, Group 80, Number 6 dated December 1982 for further details on battery diagnosis and charging.

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.