- A) Check the condition and tension of the accessory belt. If it is worn or damaged, replace it (see chapter 1).
- b) Make sure the alternator mounting bolts and nuts are tight.
- V) Inspect the generator wiring as well as its electrical connections. They must be in good condition and securely tightened.
- G) Check the large fuses in the engine compartment (chapter 12). If any of them are blown, find the cause, repair the circuit and replace the fuse. (If the fuse is blown, the engine will not start and/or the accessories will not work).
- d) Start the engine and check for unusual noises from the alternator, which may indicate worn bearings or brushes.
- e) Make sure the battery is fully charged.
- and) Disconnect battery wires (first negative and then positive). Inspect the battery poles and wire terminals for corrosion. Clean them if necessary (paragraph 3 and chapter 1). Connect the wire to the negative terminal.
- h) With the ignition off and all accessories off, connect a test light to the negative battery post and the negative wire terminal disconnected.
If the control lamp does not light up, reconnect the terminal and proceed to the next procedure.
If the control lamp lights up, it means that a short circuit has occurred in the electrical system. This short must be removed before the loading system can be tested.
To check for a short circuit, disconnect the generator wiring:
- A) If the control lamp goes out, then the generator is faulty.
- b) If the light stays on, remove the fuses one at a time until the light goes out. In this way, it is possible to identify the component in which a short circuit has occurred.
2. Use a voltmeter to measure the battery voltage with the engine off. It should be about 12 V.
3. Start the engine and check the battery voltage again. Increase engine speed until voltmeter reading stabilizes. This should occur in the range from 13.5 to 14.6 V.
4. Turn on as many electrical consumers as possible (headlights, rear window defogger and heater blower) and check that the alternator maintains a regulated voltage between 13-14V. The voltage may drop and then rise again. You may find that you need to slightly increase the engine speed, even if the loading system is working properly.
5. If the voltage reading is higher than specified, replace the voltage regulator (paragraph 13).
6. If the reading is less than specified, then the fault may be due to worn brushes, loose brush springs, faulty voltage regulator, faulty diode, worn or damaged collector rings, or an open winding. Brushes and slip rings can be checked (paragraph 13), but if after that the malfunction persists, the generator must be replaced or taken to an auto electrician for inspection and repair.
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