•

•

April, 2023

If a vehicle requiring charging per the Battery
Maintenance Report fails the initial test, retain the
test printout and RETEST, again using the
required “Diagnostic Charge” (GR8) or “Diagnostic
– Trolley” (DCBS) process. The retest is covered
as follows:
– If upon retest the battery PASSES, the vehicle
can be returned to inventory. Dealers may claim
a ZREG Transaction Type for performing the
retest using Labor Code 0600284 (Pre-Sale
Charge and Test). The allowable allowance
mirrors the vehicle’s applicable published Base
Labor Time for Labor Code 4041512 (Battery
Charging and Testing). Published Add Times are
ineligible. The transaction must be routed to the
Warranty Support Center with a copy of both the
initial test and the retest result printouts attached
to the transaction. The Warranty Code from the
initial failed test must be entered in the Battery
Tester Code field of the warranty transaction.
– If the battery FAILS the retest, replace the
battery and submit a ZREG warranty claim using
the applicable labor operation and published
allowance per the Labor Time Guide (labor for
testing is included in the published allowance for
battery replacement). Attach both copies of the
test result to the transaction. Enter the 2nd code
(obtained after retest) in the Battery Tester Code
field of the warranty transaction.
Warranty Coverage is ineligible for batteries that
fail because the dealership did not take the
recommended action per the Battery Maintenance
Report within a timely manner.
Note: The Battery Maintenance Report is only
applicable to OnStar-equipped vehicles, excluding
Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans. For
Express, Savana, and vehicles not equipped with
OnStar, a PDI Mode charge is required every
30-days while in dealer inventory. See process
applicable to Canada in Service Bulletin#
21-NA-043 for details.

Page 5

Dealers in Canada Only
Using the GR-8 Tool (EL-50313) or EL-52800
Diagnostic Charge Battery Station (DCBS) in the PDI
mode, check condition and charge of the battery at
vehicle delivery to the dealership (PDI), every 30 days
thereafter and again at point of sale. Refer to Service
Bulletin # 21-NA-043.

Warranty Information
Original Equipment (OE) vs. Non-OE 12V Battery
Coverage (U.S. Only)
U.S. dealers can ONLY submit warranty claims in
Global Warranty Management (GWM) for the following:
• Defective factory-installed OE batteries that fail
within the vehicle’s New Vehicle Bumper to
Bumper Limited Warranty.
• Defective dealer-installed batteries that were
replaced under the New Vehicle Bumper to
Bumper Limited Warranty and fail within the
remainder of the vehicle’s Bumper to Bumper
Limited Warranty or 12 months of replacement,
whichever is greater.
• Reminder: Removal of battery warranty tags on
batteries installed under the New Vehicle
Bumper to Bumper Limited Warranty is
required per Service Policies and Procedures.
This will make it easy for dealers to identify
potential warrantable batteries that can be
claimed in GWM.
Dealers must refer to their ACDelco distributor for all
other warrantable ACDelco battery situations and must
not submit those claims in GWM.

Page 6

April, 2023

Bulletin No.: 20-NA-132

6306278

To determine if the failed battery on vehicles within the
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty is OE, service consultants
and technicians can view the battery labeling which is
significantly different. ACDelco replacement batteries
(1), as shown in the picture above, will have a label on
the side of the battery, where as OE batteries (2)
do not.
When charging and testing batteries, ALWAYS use the
information on the battery label. Dealers can compare
the CCA rating and/or type on the battery to OE
specifications listed in Service Information (see 12V
Battery Testing section above for further details).
Note: There are 2 common types of 12V Battery
Testing battery CCA Ratings; EN CCA & SAE CCA. EN
is a European Standard and SAE is a North American
Standard. Dealers are to use the SAE number when
testing 12V batteries.

Bulletin No.: 20-NA-132

April, 2023

Page 7

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).

4489025

Technicians must attach the test result printout with a
“Replace Battery” (GR8) or “Battery is bad” (DCBS)
decision, that includes the Warranty Code, to the
job card.
Important: A copy of this printout must be returned
with the paperwork for each battery returned to the
Warranty Parts Center (WPC).
Note: To warranty administrators, the following
characters are not used in the Warranty Code: The
letters I, O, Y, & Z or any ‘Special’ characters like &, (, ),
$, % etc.
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.

•

•

•

Per design, GM does not recognize an AGM
battery as capable of leaking. See Bulletin
23-NA-044 for further details.
Batteries replaced due to SAC001/Red Proactive
Alert – As battery testing is not required in these
cases, enter SAC001 into the Battery Tester Code
field. Note: Diagnostic Add Time is ineligible in
these cases and must not be claimed on the
transaction.
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.

Page 8
•

•

•

•

•

April, 2023

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 GWM.
• Dealers in Canada: Submit applicable ZPTI/
ZPTC parts warranty in GWM. 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

•

•

Bulletin No.: 20-NA-132
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 mis-typed
Warranty Code, it may be resubmitted within 30
days with the corrected Warranty Code and routed
for GM Authorization.
• Battery replacement transactions on vehicles with
250 miles (U.S.)/400 km (Canada) or less will
require routing to the Warranty Support Center for
review and approval. Proof of inventory battery
maintenance must be attached to the transaction
in addition to a copy of the battery test result
printout.
Questions can be directed to the Warranty Support
Center (WSC) at 1-866-446-2900.

Version

5

Modified

June 25, 2020 – Corporate Service Bulletin Number 03-06-03-004Z has now become
Global format Service Bulletin 20-NA-132. This update adds a Proactive Alerts section
and adds the second bullet under Special Cases.
Revised March 09, 2021 – Added the 2021 Model Year and updated applicable
information throughout the bulletin.
Revised June 07, 2021 – Added the 2022 Model Year and updated the Dealers in the U.S
Only under New Vehicle Inventory to reflect new requirements effective May 2, 2021.
Revised August 06, 2021 – Updated information under 12V Battery Testing.
Revised April 04, 2023 – Clarified the Subject, added the 2023-2024 Model Years and
updated applicable information throughout the bulletin.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
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 your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY
TECHNICIAN
CERTIFICATION