Charging System Test

Charging System Test

Diagnostic Instructions

* Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle (Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview) prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
* Review Strategy Based Diagnosis (Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview) for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
* Diagnostic Procedure Instructions (Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview) provides an overview of each diagnostic category.



Reference Information
Description and Operation

Charging System Description and Operation (Description and Operation)
Electrical Information Reference

Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections (Component Tests and General Diagnostics)


Circuit/System Verification

Engine ON, observe the charge indicator on the instrument panel cluster (IPC) or message in the driver information center (DIC). The charge indicator on the IPC should be turned OFF and the DIC should not display charging system message.

If the charge indicator is not on the IPC and a charging system message is not displayed on the DIC, refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections (Component Tests and General Diagnostics) .


If the charge indicator is on the IPC or a charging system message is displayed on the DIC, refer to Circuit/System Testing.



Circuit/System Testing

1. Ignition ON, verify that no generator or battery current sensor DTCs are set that would cause a charging system concern.

• If DTCs are set, refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle (Diagnostic Trouble Code Descriptions) .

2. Ignition OFF, measure the voltage across the battery terminals. The voltage should read 12.0 volts or greater at room temperature.

• If not within specified value, refer to Battery Inspection/Test (Battery Inspection/Test) .

3. Connect a carbon pile tester to the battery.
4. Start the engine and increase the engine speed to 2,500 RPM. Observe the voltage reading on the tester. The voltage should read between 12.6-15.0 volts.

• If not within specified range, replace the generator.

5. Adjust the carbon pile tester to the specified load test output value, refer to Generator Usage (Specifications) .

• If not within specified value, replace the generator.




Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification (Verification Tests) after completing the diagnostic procedure.


Generator Replacement (LY7 - Gas, 6 Cylinder, 3.6L, SFI, V6) (Generator Replacement)Generator Replacement (LH2 (AWD)) (Generator Replacement)Generator Replacement (LH2 (RWD)) (Generator Replacement)