JUMP STARTING YOUR CHALLENGER

 

WARNING:

Review all safety precautions and warnings in the battery system section of the service manual.

(Refer to 08 - Electrical/8F - Engine Systems/Battery System/BATTERY - Standard Procedure)

  1. Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the ignition switch is ON. You can be hurt by the fan.
  2. Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once the engine has started, ignite and damage the converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables may be used to obtain a start from another vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous if done improperly, so follow this procedure carefully.
  3. Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin, or clothing. Don't lean over battery when attaching clamps or allow the clamps to touch each other. If acid splashes in eyes or on skin, flush contaminated area immediately with large quantities of water.
  4. A battery generates hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive. Keep flame or spark away from the vent holes.
  5. Do not use a booster battery or any other booster source with an output that exceeds 12 Volts.
  6. The battery in this vehicle has a vent hose that should not be disconnected and should only be replaced with a battery of the same type (vented).

Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious or fatal injury.

 

CAUTION

:

When using another vehicle as a booster, do not allow vehicles to touch. Electrical systems can be damaged on either vehicle.

 

NOTE:

The battery is stored under an access cover in the trunk. Remote battery terminals are located in the engine compartment for jump starting.

 

TO JUMP START A DISABLED VEHICLE:

1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry, such as watchbands or bracelets, that might make an inadvertent electrical contact.

2. When boost is provided by a battery in another vehicle, park that vehicle within booster cable reach, but do not allow the vehicles to touch one another.

3. Set the parking brake, place the automatic transmission in PARK, and turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position on both vehicles.

4. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electrical loads.

5. Connect one end of the jumper cable to the remote jump-start positive battery post (+) in the engine compartment.
    Connect the other end of the same cable to the positive terminal of the booster battery. Refer to the following illustration
    for jump-starting connections.

 

6. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal of the booster battery and then to the engine ground (-) of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
    Make sure you have a good contact on the engine ground. Refer to the following illustration for jump-starting connections.

7. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster battery. Let the engine idle a few minutes.
    Then, start the Engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.

NOTE: Refer to "Synchronizing ESP" under "Electronic Stability Program" in Section 5 if the ESP/BAS light (in the instrument cluster)
              remains on continuously after starting the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.

8. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.

 

WARNING:
  1. You should not try to start your vehicle by pushing or towing.

  2. Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark could cause the battery to explode.

  3. During cold weather when temperatures are below the freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged battery may freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting because the battery could rupture or explode. The battery temperature must be brought above the freezing point before attempting jump-start.

  4. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious or fatal injury.