Charging System: Testing and Inspection

ON-VEHICLE INSPECTION

1. CHECK BATTERY ELECTROLYTE LEVEL
Check the electrolyte quantity of each cell.
Maintenance-Free Battery:
If under the lower level, replace the battery (or add distilled water if possible). Check the charging system.
Except Maintenance-Free Battery:
If under the lower level, add distilled water.





2. Except Maintenance-Free Battery:
CHECK BATTERY SPECIFIC GRAVITY
Check the specific gravity of each cell.
Standard specific gravity:
1.25 - 1.29 at 20° C (68° F)
If the specific gravity is less than specification, charge the battery.

3. Maintenance-Free Battery:
CHECK BATTERY VOLTAGE
a. After having driven the vehicle and in the case that 20 minutes have not passed after having stopped the engine, turn the ignition switch ON and turn on the electrical system (headlight, blower motor, rear defogger etc.) for 60 seconds to remove the surface charge.
b. Turn the ignition switch OFF and turn off the electrical systems.




c. Measure the battery voltage between the negative (-) and positive (+) terminals of the battery.

Standard voltage:
12.5 - 12.9 V at 20° C (68° F)
If the voltage is less than specification, charge the battery.





HINT: Check the indicator as shown in illustration.

4. CHECK BATTERY TERMINALS, FUSIBLE LINK, H-FUSES AND FUSES
a. Check that the battery terminals are not loose or corroded.
b. Check the fusible link, H-fuses and fuses for continuity.

5. INSPECT DRIVE BELTS




a. Visually check the drive belt for cracks, oiliness or wear. Check that the belt does not touch the bottom of the pulley groove.
If necessary, replace the drive belts as a set.




b. Using a belt tension gauge, measure the belt tension.
Belt tension gauge:
Nippondenso BTG-20 (95506-00020)
Borroughts No. BT-33-73F
Drive belt tension:
New belt 88-132 lbf
Used belt 44-88 lbf

If the belt tension is not as specified, adjust it.

HINT:
^ "New belt" refers to a belt which has been used less than 5 minutes on a running engine.
^ "Used belt" refers to a belt which has been used on a running engine for 5 minutes or more.
^ After installing a new belt, run the engine for about 5 minutes and recheck the belt tension.

6. VISUALLY CHECK GENERATOR WIRING AND LISTEN FOR ABNORMAL NOISES
a Check that the wiring is in good condition.
b. Check that there is no abnormal noise from the generator while the engine is running.

7. INSPECT CHARGE WARNING LIGHT CIRCUIT
a. Turn the ignition switch ON. Check that the charge warning light comes on.
b. Start the engine. Check that the light goes off.
If the light does not operate as specified, troubleshoot the charge warning light circuit.

8. INSPECT CHARGING CIRCUIT WITHOUT LOAD

HINT: If a battery/generator tester is available, connect the tester to the charging circuit as per the manufacturer's instructions.

Charging circuit test connections:

a. If a tester is not available, connect a voltmeter and am meter to the charging circuit as follows:
^ Disconnect the wire from terminal B of the generator and connect it to the negative (-) lead of the ammeter.
^ Connect the positive (+) lead of the ammeter to terminal B of the generator.
^ Connect the positive (+) lead of the voltmeter to terminal B of the generator.
^ Ground the negative (-) lead of the voltmeter.




b. Check the charging circuit as follows:
With the engine running from idle to 2,000 rpm, check the reading on the ammeter and voltmeter.
Standard amperage:
10 A or less
Standard voltage:
13.5-15.1 V
If the voltmeter reading is more than standard voltage, replace the voltage regulator.
If the voltmeter reading is less than the standard voltage, check the voltage regulator and generator as follows:
^ With terminal F grounded, start the engine and check the voltmeter reading of terminal B.
^ If the voltmeter reading is more than standard voltage, replace the voltage regulator.
^ If the voltmeter reading is less than standard voltage, check the generator.

9. INSPECT CHARGING CIRCUIT WITH LOAD
a. With the engine running at 2,000 rpm, turn on the high beam headlights and place the heater blower switch at HI.
b. Check the reading on the ammeter.
Standard amperage:
30 A or more
If the ammeter reading is less than standard amperage, repair the generator.

HINT: If the battery is fully charged, the indication will sometimes be less than standard amperage.