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CHAPTER 7:
SYSTEM TEST
STARTER SYSTEM TEST
IMPORTANT: Before starting the test, inspect the alternator
drive belt. A belt that is glazed or worn, or lacks the proper
tension, will prevent the engine from achieving the rpm levels
needed for the test.
Once you have completed an in-vehicle test, the display
alternates between the battery test results and the message.
PRESS FOR STARTER TEST.
1.
Press the ENTER button to proceed with the starter
test.
2.
Start the engine when prompted.
3.
The display alternates between the decision on the
starter system and the measured voltage drop.
STARTER SYSTEM TEST RESULTS
Decision
Interpretation
CRANKING
The starter voltage is normal and the
NORMAL
battery is fully charged.
LOW
The starter voltage is low and the battery
VOLTAGE
is fully charged.
CHARGE
The starter voltage is low and the battery
BATTERY
is discharged. Fully charge the battery
and repeat the starter system test.
REPLACE
Battery must be replaced before the
BATTERY
starting system can be tested.
NO START
No vehicle start detected.
CRANKING
A start was not detected.
SKIPPED
Midtronics B.V.
Hoofdveste 6
3992 DG HOUTEN
CHARGING SYSTEM TEST
Once you have completed an in-vehicle test the display
alternates between the test results and the message PRESS
FOR CHARGING TEST. Press the ENTER button to proceed
with the charging test.
CHARGING SYSTEM TEST RESULTS
Decision
Interpretation
NO
System is showing normal output from
PROBLEMS
the alternator.
NO OUTPUT
No alternator output detected.
•
Check the belts to ensure the
alternator is rotating with the engine
running. Replace broken or slipping
belts and retest.
•
Check all connections to and
from the alternator, especially
the connection to the battery. If
the connection is loose or heavily
corroded, clean or replace the cable
and retest.
•
If the belts and connections are in
good working condition, replace
the alternator. (Older vehicles use
external voltage regulators, which
may require only replacement of the
voltage regulator.)
LOW OUTPUT Alternator not providing sufficient current
to power the system's electrical loads and
charge the battery.
•
Check the belts to ensure the
alternator is rotating with the engine
running. Replace broken or slipping
belts and retest.
•
Check the connections from the
alternator to the battery. If the
connection is loose or heavily
corroded, clean or replace the cable
and retest.
10
HIGH
Alternator voltage output exceeds the
OUTPUT
normal limits.
•
Make sure there are no loose
connections and the ground
connection is normal. If there are
no connection problems, replace
the regulator. Most alternators have
a built-in regulator that requires
replacing the alternator. In older
vehicles that use external voltage
regulators, you may need to replace
only the voltage regulator.
•
The regulator controls voltage
output based on the battery voltage,
under-hood temperature, and
vehicle loads used. In other words,
it controls the maximum voltage
the system can produce based on
the current needs and amount of
current that can be produced by
the spinning of the rotor in the
alternator. The normal high limit
of a typical automotive regulator
is 15.0 volts +/-0,5. Refer to the
manufacturer specifications for the
correct limit, which may vary by
vehicle type.
•
A high charging rate will overcharge
the battery and may decrease
its life and cause it to fail. If the
battery test decision is REPLACE
and the charging system test shows
CHARGING VOLTAGE HIGH, check
the battery's electrolyte levels. A
symptom of overcharging is battery
fluid spewing through the vent caps,
which causes low electrolyte levels
and harms the battery.
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