Jump Starting And Charging Vehicles With Battery Management Systems

Jump starting and charging a 12 V battery with a battery management system (BMS) may not be as simple as connecting cables to the battery. Most newer vehicles are equipped with a BMS and may have specific instructions on how to jump start and charge the battery.
What is a battery management system? A BMS monitors the battery state of charge and all power entering and exiting the battery. Ensuring the battery state of charge is maintained appropriately prevents the battery from becoming discharged or over charged.
The BMS also communicates with the rest of the vehicle systems to ensure power is maintained at the correct voltage levels. The system allows the vehicle to identify if the battery is operating outside of its parameters, or if there are any issues. This is possible because vehicles with a BMS will typically have a sensor mounted to the negative battery terminal.
Unlike older vehicles, it is not as simple as attaching a positive and a negative clamp to the battery and jump starting or charging. Every make and model may have a specific procedure that should be followed.
When charging the vehicle battery, it is critical that the correct type of battery charger is used. Many of the 12 V batteries, like absorbed glass mat (AGM), can only be charged at low current levels and may have different cut-off voltages compared to traditional flooded cell batteries.
The charging procedure may require the leads be connected to points other than the battery terminals. This allows the BMS to monitor all energy going into the battery. If unmonitored energy is put into the battery, the BMS may not have accurate information as to the battery’s actual state of charge.
Jump starting and charging information can typically be found in the service manual and/or owner’s manual. If the vehicle-maker specifications and procedures are not followed, the battery and other electrical components could be damaged. Always follow vehicle-specific battery instructions to ensure a complete, safe, and quality repair.
Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:
Backup Batteries and Main Battery Disconnect
Hybrid And Electric Vehicle Battery Precautions
Related I-CAR Courses
-
Toyota/Lexus/Scion Position Statement: Pre- and Post-Repair System Scanning
July 28, 2016
As the industry continues to ask if pre- and post-repair system scanning is necessary, Toyota/Lexus/Scion provides their answer.
-
MIG Brazing What Is It, Why Should I Use It?
June 02, 2014
Why MIG Brazing? It is widely known that GMA (MIG) welded; fully galvanized steel will lose some of its properties, including corrosion protection, due to the heat created during welding.…
-
Pre- and Post-Repair System Scanning Position Statements
January 09, 2019
Are you wondering if a particular OEM or organization has a published position statement on pre-repair and post-repair scanning? We have compiled a list of most of the position statements…
-
Typical Calibration Requirements for Blind Spot Sensors
October 19, 2016
Technicians should be aware of what’s required to keep advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) running safely after a collision. Whether that be aiming a camera, which can cause a system…
-
Restraints Wiring Repairs
May 23, 2016
Over the past few months, we've been sharing OEM position statements on restraints wiring repairs. Now we're bringing them all together in one place for easy reference.
-
OEM Linking Pin: 2015 Ford F-150 Outer Box Side Replacement Options - UPDATE
August 07, 2015
The method for replacing the outer box side on the 2015 Ford F-150 has been a popular area of discussion, and many people are asking, "What are my options and…
-
Typical Calibration Requirements for Forward Radar Sensors
October 12, 2016
Technicians should be aware of what’s required to keep advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) running safely after a collision. Whether that be aiming a camera, which can cause a system…
-
Typical Calibration Requirements for Park Assist Sensors
October 31, 2016
Technicians should be aware of what’s required to keep advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) running safely after a collision. Whether that be aiming a camera, which can cause a system…
-
Mazda I-ELOOP Overview
January 27, 2014
Beginning model year 2014, Mazda has introduced a regenerative engine braking system called i-ELOOP, short for "Intelligent Energy Loop." In this system, a capacitor is used to store electrical energy…
-
I-CAR Best Practice: Recycled Outer Quarter Panels w/Rolled Hem Flanges
July 21, 2017
Periodically, I-CAR Repairability Summits are held to bring together collision industry stakeholders and subject matter experts to develop collision repair processes and best practices for repair of late-model, collision damaged…
-
Toyota Collision Pros: 2021 Issue 1
March 04, 2021
Toyota has released the latest edition of their Collision Pros magazine. This issue highlights the all-new 2021 Toyota Sienna and focuses on the technology aspects of the vehicle.
-
OEM Emergency Response Guides: Nissan/INFINITI
March 03, 2021
Are you looking for OEM emergency response guides (ERGs)? The RTS team has located these guides and either houses them on the RTS website, provides links to webpages that house…
-
Toyota/Lexus: Who Requires Or Recommends MIG Brazing
March 02, 2021
In Europe, MIG brazing has been required or recommended on a widespread basis for several years. In the U.S., MIG brazing is not as common but is becoming more prevalent.…
-
Spot And Plug Weld Nugget Size: Mitsubishi
February 26, 2021
Did you know that many OEMs specify nugget size for spot and plug welds? This information is typically found within vehicle-specific repair procedures or can be found under general welding…
-
Audi Emergency Response Guides Now Available On RTS Portal
February 25, 2021
Audi emergency response guides (ERGs) can now be accessed directly from the Repairability Technical Support (RTS) Portal on the Audi OEM Information page. These guides provide information about the vehicle…
-
OEM Emergency Response Guides
February 25, 2021
Are you looking for OEM emergency response guides (ERGs)? The Repairability Technical Support (RTS) team has located these guides and either houses them on the RTS website, provides links to…
-
I-CAR RTS Airbag And Restraints System Technology Webinar
February 24, 2021
I-CAR RTS has created a webinar on supplemental restraints systems (SRS). The webinar is a comprehensive look at vehicle SRS systems, how they work, and details and cautions that are…
-
Repairer Driven News: BMW Incorrect Windshield Use
February 19, 2021
Repairer Driven News (RDN) released an article on BMW vehicles and a few things to consider when repairing them. The article covers two main areas of concern.
-
Rolls-Royce: Who Requires Or Recommends MIG Brazing?
February 17, 2021
In Europe, MIG brazing has been required or recommended on a widespread basis for several years. In the U.S., MIG brazing is not as common but is becoming more prevalent.…
-
BMW/Mini: Who Requires Or Recommends MIG Brazing?
February 17, 2021
In Europe, MIG brazing has been required or recommended on a widespread basis for several years. In the U.S., MIG brazing is not as common but is becoming more prevalent.…
- 2021
- March 2021 (3)
- February 2021 (15)
- January 2021 (14)
- 2020
- December 2020 (15)
- November 2020 (17)
- October 2020 (14)
- September 2020 (14)
- August 2020 (12)
- July 2020 (19)
- June 2020 (16)
- May 2020 (14)
- April 2020 (21)
- March 2020 (12)
- February 2020 (14)
- January 2020 (14)
- 2019
- December 2019 (15)
- November 2019 (20)
- October 2019 (25)
- September 2019 (20)
- August 2019 (22)
- July 2019 (23)
- June 2019 (21)
- May 2019 (20)
- April 2019 (21)
- March 2019 (21)
- February 2019 (21)
- January 2019 (18)
- 2018
- December 2018 (19)
- November 2018 (19)
- October 2018 (17)
- September 2018 (16)
- August 2018 (23)
- July 2018 (21)
- June 2018 (21)
- May 2018 (19)
- April 2018 (20)
- March 2018 (23)
- February 2018 (17)
- January 2018 (21)
- 2017
- December 2017 (16)
- November 2017 (18)
- October 2017 (19)
- September 2017 (20)
- August 2017 (21)
- July 2017 (19)
- June 2017 (23)
- May 2017 (21)
- April 2017 (15)
- March 2017 (20)
- February 2017 (12)
- January 2017 (13)
- 2016
- December 2016 (9)
- November 2016 (14)
- October 2016 (21)
- September 2016 (11)
- August 2016 (11)
- July 2016 (8)
- June 2016 (13)
- May 2016 (11)
- April 2016 (12)
- March 2016 (14)
- February 2016 (11)
- January 2016 (7)
- 2015
- December 2015 (10)
- November 2015 (10)
- October 2015 (12)
- September 2015 (10)
- August 2015 (12)
- July 2015 (11)
- June 2015 (10)
- May 2015 (8)
- April 2015 (10)
- March 2015 (9)
- February 2015 (11)
- January 2015 (12)
- 2014
- December 2014 (15)
- November 2014 (9)
- October 2014 (12)
- September 2014 (10)
- August 2014 (11)
- July 2014 (13)
- June 2014 (9)
- May 2014 (14)
- April 2014 (9)
- March 2014 (6)
- February 2014 (1)
- January 2014 (28)