Warranty Administration - Battery Testing And Warranty Replacement Requirements (North AMERICA Only) (03-06-03-004Z)

WARRANTY ADMINISTRATION - BATTERY TESTING AND WARRANTY REPLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS (NORTH AMERICA ONLY)

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

SERVICE INFORMATION

The EL-50313 Midtronics GR8 Battery Tester/Charger or EL-52800 Diagnostic Charge Battery Station (DCBS) must be used in diagnosing battery replacements and maintaining batteries on new vehicles in dealer inventory. A 15-digit (GR8) or 20-digit (DCBS) Warranty Code  on the printed test result slip captures critical information on batteries that require replacement. This code must be entered on the warranty transaction (see below for details).

GR8 Example: English Version 

GR8 Example: English Version  Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

1. Printout must reflect "Diagnostic Mode" and "Out of Vehicle" Test Info.
2. Do not enter MID Info number.
3. The "Warranty Code" is the correct code to enter on the transaction. This code is unique to each test performed and is decodable by GM.

GR8 Example: French Canadian Version 

GR8 Example: French Canadian Version  Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

1. Printout must reflect "Diagnostic Mode" and "Out of Vehicle" Test Info.
2. Do not enter MID Info number.
3. The "Warranty Code" is the correct code to enter on the transaction. This code is unique to each test performed and is decodable by GM.

DCBS Example: 

DCBS Example:  Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

The "Warranty Code" is the correct code to enter on the transaction (1). This code is unique to each test performed and is decodable by GM.

12V BATTERY TESTING

When testing 12V batteries, always follow current Service Information (SI) procedures for Battery Inspection/Test, including:

• Disconnect the battery from the vehicle. When using the GR8, select the "Out of Vehicle" test.
• Select the proper battery type; Flooded, AGM, AUX12. It is important to select the correct battery type to prevent battery damage and to ensure correct test results. If using the DCBS, it is recommended to use the VIN scan feature which will automatically populate the battery type. 
• On vehicles with two batteries, including Stop/Start vehicles with Auxiliary batteries, each battery must be electrically isolated and charged individually. The Auxiliary battery may not be connected in a manner that will allow both batteries to be charged at the same time and must be charged individually, which will result in two printouts.
• Verify that the CCA value on the tool matches the value shown on the battery label.

Cold Battery Testing - Battery Temperature at Less Than 0°C (32°F) 

When a 12 Volt battery is cold (below freezing), its capacity starts to reduce. This can be observed in the voltage level of the battery, as well as measured cold cranking amps. A cold battery is also resistant to charging. The colder the battery, the more these characteristics are affected. Therefore, warm the battery prior to testing. Longer warming times will be needed depending on how cold the battery is. External surface temperatures are not reliable for determining actual battery temperature; measure at multiple points for best results.

TOOL SOFTWARE UPDATES

Dealers are responsible for having the latest software installed prior to tool use.

• For the DCBS, refer to owner manual instructions for software update instruction.
• GR8 must be equipped with software version 192-675P_July_2017.

Battery replacement transactions involving of batteries tested with outdated software are subject to debit.

NEW VEHICLE INVENTORY

If a new vehicle arrives at your dealer from transportation that will not start due to a discharged or defective battery, the claim must be submitted within one week of the vehicle arrival at the dealer.

Dealers are responsible for maintaining the charge of batteries on vehicles in dealer inventory. Battery recharging, swapping or replacement due to damage or lack of maintenance is not covered by the vehicle warranty during the period of dealer inventory storage. For complete information on dealer responsibilities on inventory battery maintenance, refer to the General Motors Service Policies and Procedures, Manual, PDI Mode.

In this mode, the battery condition is checked then a fast charge is applied to the battery. This mode is designed to apply as much charge as safely possible in 20 Minutes. PDI Mode replaces the previous requirement of battery voltage check & charge. This mode also generates a print out without a warranty code. The print out must be kept with the vehicle file as proof of maintenance. Use PDI Mode:

• When a new vehicle is received at the dealer
• At each subsequent 30-day interval while in dealer inventory
• At the Point of Sale

On vehicles with two batteries, including Stop/Start vehicles, each battery must be electrically isolated and charged individually, which will result in two printouts.

BATTERY REPLACEMENT LABOR OPERATIONS 4041510 AND 4041520 - REQUIRED WARRANTY CODE

The Warranty Code generated by the GR8 or DCBS is displayed on the printout and must be entered into the required "Battery Tester Code" field when submitting all transactions for battery replacement (labor operations 4041510 Battery Replace or 4041520 Auxiliary Battery Replacement). The complete code (No Dashes or Spaces) must be entered. Do not enter the code in the cause/correction/comments field. It must be entered into the system generated mandatory field  that appears when using labor operations 4041510 or 4041520 (see GWM screenshot example below).

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

Technicians must attach the test result print out with a "Replace Battery" (GR8) or "Battery is bad" (DCBS) decision, that includes the Warranty Code, to the job card.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Special Cases 

• Damaged or leaking batteries - It is not necessary to test leaking batteries. Enter LEAKS  into the Battery Tester Code Field. For AGM batteries, LEAKS is not a valid entry unless the battery case is damaged and the cause of the damage must be documented in the Cause field. Note  : Any other parts damaged and replaced due to leaking battery acid (ie: cables) must also be claimed on the same line, not a separate line. Use appropriate authorizations for additional parts and OLH claimed.
• GM Fleet and Commercial in-shop warranty stations- If the Warranty Code is available, enter it into the Battery Tester Code Field. If the Warranty Code is not available, enter FLEET  into the Battery Tester Code Field. Valid only for approved GM Fleet and Commercial in-shop warranty stations.
• Customer reimbursement cases - Existing policies on customer reimbursement apply. If the customer's battery is available, enter the Warranty Code into the Battery Tester Code Field. If the customer's battery is not available, enter REIMBURSEMENT  into the Battery Tester Code Field.
• GR8 or DCBS test equipment not working/not available. Any non-functional or missing test equipment must be repaired/replaced within 30 days. Contact GM Dealer Equipment for assistance. On a temporary basis (within those 30 days) the dealership should enter INOP  in the Battery Tester Code field.
• Cadillac Roadside service claims (U.S.) - Batteries replaced under the Cadillac Roadside program do not fall under the 4041510 Labor Operation. They should be submitted under Labor Operation 0600102 as defined by that program.
• Subsequent failure of batteries replaced under the New Vehicle Bumper to Bumper Warranty (Canada Base Warranty) - These transactions still require proper testing to validate battery replacement. A valid Warranty Code is still required in the Battery Tester Code field. Refer to Service Policies and Procedures Manual for further policies related to battery replacement parts warranties. Transactions must be submitted as a ZPTI Transaction Type and routed for GM Authorization.
• Batteries purchased as a retail transaction (over the counter or dealer-installed) and subsequently replaced under the GM Replacement Parts Warranty:
  • Dealers in the U.S.:  Replacement Parts Warranty is handled through your local ACDelco distributor. U.S. Dealers must not submit claims in Global Warranty Management.
  • Dealers in Canada:  Submit applicable ZPTI/ZPTC parts warranty in Global Warranty Management. These transactions still require proper testing to validate battery replacement. A valid Warranty Code is still required in the Battery Tester Code field.
• Battery damaged or stolen in transit - This is to be properly noted on the Delivery Receipt. Transaction is to be submitted as a ZTPT (Transportation) Transaction Type. Enter DAMAGED  or STOLEN  as applicable in Battery Tester Code Field. Valid only for ZTPT transaction types.
• New Vehicle arrives from transportation with defective battery - Battery must still be properly tested and a valid Warranty Code must be entered on transaction. The transaction must be submitted within one week of vehicle arrival at dealership.
• Battery "too low" is NOT a valid entry - The test equipment is designed to test batteries and provide results, including the printout and Warranty Code, at a very low voltage (less than 3 volts). If a vehicle initially enters the service department with no voltage, the battery must be charged to a level which will support the test to be completed.

TRANSACTIONS REQUIRING GM AUTHORIZATION

For battery replacement labor operations 4041510 and 4041520 that require any type of GM authorization, the test result printout from the diagnosis performed prior to battery replacement must be scanned and attached to the transaction.

• Paid battery replacement transactions with invalid or missing Warranty Codes in the Battery Tester Code field are subject to chargeback. If a transaction is charged back due to a missing or invalid Warranty Code, it may be resubmitted within 30 days with a valid Warranty Code and routed for GM Authorization.

Questions can be directed to the WSC at 1-866-446-2900.