6. Is lower part of case acid soaked? This is caused by leaky jars.
7. Are ends of case bulged out? This may be due to battery having been frozen.
This general inspection of the battery can be made in a few seconds, and often shows what the condition of the battery is.
Operation Tests
Two simple tests may be made which will help considerably in the diagnosis.
Turn on the lights. If they burn dim, battery is run down (and may be defective) and battery needs bench charge or repairs. If they burn bright battery is probably in a good condition.
With the lights burning, have the customer or a helper step on the starting switch. If the lights now become very dim, the battery is run down (and may also be defective), or else the starting motor is drawing too much current from the battery.
Trouble Charts
For the convenience of the repairman, the battery troubles which may be found when a car is brought in, are summarized in the following tables: