Chapter 5 Engine electrical systems
3.OL Engine
3\ L----h ,l
15.3 Loosen the adjustment bolt (arrow) and the pivot bolts to
remove the drivebelt from the alternator pulley
14 Charging system- check
6.
1 If a malfunction occurs in the charging circuit, don’t automatically
assume that the alternator is causing the problem. First check the follow-
ing items:
a)
b)
4
4
‘4
f 1
9)
h)
i)
Make sure the alternator mounting and adjustment bolts are tight.
Inspect the alternator wiring harness and the connectors at the al-
ternator. They must be in good condition and tight.
Check the fusible link(s). If burned, determine the cause, repairthe
circuit and replace the link(thevehicle won’tstartand/ortheacces-
sories won’t work if the fusible link blows). Sometimes a fusible link
may lookgood, but still be bad. If in doubt, remove it and check for
continuity.
Start the engine and check the alternator for abnormal noises (a
shrieking or squealing sound indicates a bad bearing).
Check the,specific gravity of the battery electrolyte. If it’s low,
charge the battery (doesn’t apply to maintenance free batteries).
Make sure the battery is fully charged (one bad cell in a battery chin
cau>e overcharging by the alternator).
Disconnect the battery-cables (negative first, then positive). In-
spect the battery posts and the cable clamps for corrosion. Clean
them thoroughly if necessary (see Chapter 1). Reconnect the cable
to the positive terminal.
With the key off, connect a test light between the negative battery
post and the disconnected negative cable clamp.
1) If the test light does not come on, reattach the clamp and pro-
ceed to the next step.
2) If the test light comes on, !here is ashort (drain) in the eledtrical
system of the vehicle. The short must be repaired before the
charging system can be checked.
3) Disconnect the alternator wiring harness.
(a) If the light goes out, the alternator is bad.
(b) If the light stays on, pull each fuse until the light goes out
(this will tell you which component is shorted).
2” Using a voltmeter, check the battery vpltage with the engine off. If
should be approximately 12-volts.
3 Start the engine and check the batt&y voltage again. It should now be
approximately 14-to-15 volts.
4 Turn on the headlights. The voltage should drop, and then come back
up, if,the charging system is working properly.
5 If the voltage reading is more than the specified charging voltage, re-
place the voltage regulator (refer to Section 16). If the voltage is less, the
alternator diode(s), stator or rectifier may be bad or the voltage regulator
may be malfunctioning.
Check the drivebelt tension and condition (Chapter 1). Replace it
if it’s worn or deteriorated.
2.4L Engine
15.4a An exploded view of the mounting hardware for a
typical 2.4L and 3.OL alternator installation
I Alternator adjustment bolt
4 Alternator drive belt
2 Alternator cover
5 Alternator support bolt
3 Alternator brace bolt
6 Alternator
15 Alternator - removal and installation
Refer to illustrations 15.3, 15.4a and 15.4b
1 Detach the cable from the negative terminal of the battery.
2 Detach the electrical connector(s) from the alternator. Be sure to label
each wire to avoid confusion during installation.
3 Loosen the alternator adjustment and pivot bolts and detach the dri-
vebelt
(see illustration).
4 Remove the adjustment and pivot bolts and separate the alternator
from the engine
(see illustrations).
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