Inspection and Verification
INSPECTION AND VERIFICATIONWARNING:
- Batteries contain sulfuric acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Also, shield your eyes when working near batteries to protect against possible splashing of the acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.
- Batteries normally produce explosive gases. Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks or lighted substances to come near the battery. When charging or working near a battery, always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide ventilation. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.
- When lifting a battery, excessive pressure on the end walls could cause acid to spew through the vent caps, resulting in personal injury, damage to the vehicle or to the battery. Lift with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite corners. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.
CAUTION:
- Do not make jumper connections except as directed. Incorrect connections may damage the voltage regulator test terminals, fuses or fusible links.
- Do not allow any metal object to come in contact with the generator housing and internal diode cooling fins. A short circuit may result and burn out the diodes.
NOTE:
- While carrying out any pinpoint test, disregard any DTCs set while following any specific pinpoint test. After the completion of any test, be sure to clear all codes in the PCM.
- All voltage measurements are referenced to the negative (-) battery post unless otherwise specified.
- When the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the powertrain control module (PCM) relearns its fuel trim. The vehicle may need to be driven to relearn the strategy.
1. Verify the customer concern.
Visual Inspection Chart:
2. Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical or electrical damage.
3. If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step.
4. Verify the battery condition. Refer to Battery.
5. Observe the charging system warning indicator status under the following conditions:
- The charging system warning indicator illuminates with the key in the ON position and the engine off.
- The charging system warning indicator is off with the engine running.
- The charging system warning indicator is off with the key in the OFF position.
6. NOTE:
- The powertrain control module (PCM) requires 3 key cycles to re-learn the configuration.
- On California vehicles, the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminates if the lower generator circuit has 12 volts (which the PCM has commanded off) for 2 consecutive drive cycles.
Check the battery voltage before and after starting the engine to determine if the battery voltage increases.
7. NOTE: Make sure to use the latest scan tool software release.
If the concern is not visually evident, connect the scan tool to the data link connector (DLC).
8. NOTE: The vehicle communication module (VCM) LED prove out confirms power and ground from the DLC are provided to the VCM.
If the scan tool does not communicate with the VCM:
- check the VCM connection to the vehicle.
- check the scan tool connection to the VCM.
- refer to Information Bus (Module Communications Network), No Power To The Scan Tool, to diagnose no communication with the scan tool.
9. If the DTCs retrieved are related to the concern, go to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Chart or the Instrument Cluster Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Chart. Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Chart Instrument Cluster Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Chart
10. If no DTCs related to the concern are retrieved, GO to Symptom Chart. Dual Generators