Alternator And Regulator Circuit Test - Honda 2002 Accord Manual

Charging System
Charging Circuit Troubleshooting (cont'd)
Alternator and Regulator Circuit Test
1. Be sure the battery is sufficiently charged and in
good condition (see page 22-51).
2. Connect a VAT-40 (or equivalent tester), and turn
the selector switch t o position 1 (starting).
L O A D A D J U S T E R
V O L T ( C A R B O N PILE)
S E L E C T O R
" X "
F U L L FIELD
T E S T E R L E A D ( B L U )
• — V O L T M E T E R
N E G A T I V E
L E A D (BLK)
V O L T M E T E R
P O S I T I V E
L E A D (RED)
N E G A T I V E T E S T E R
C A B L E ( B L K )
P O S I T I V E T E S T E R
C A B L E (RED)
B T E R M I N A L W I R E
I N D U C T I V E P I C K - U P
3. Shift to neutral or park, and start the engine. Hold
the engine at 3,000 r p m , w i t h no load until the
radiator fan comes on, then let it idle.
4. Raise the engine speed t o 2,000 r p m , and hold it
there.
Is the voltage over 15.1 V?
YES —Repair the voltage regulator. •
NO—Go t o step 5.
5. Release the accelerator pedal, and let the engine
idle.
6. Make sure all accessories are t u r n e d off. Turn the
selector switch t o position 2 (charging).
7. Remove the inductive pick-up, and zero the
ammeter.
8. Place the inductive pick-up over the B terminal w i r e
of the alternator so that the a r r o w points away f r o m
the alternator.
9. Raise the engine speed t o 2,000 r p m , and hold it
there.
Is the voltage less than 13.5 V?
YES —Repair the alternator components (see page
4-33). •
NO G o t o step 10.
10. Apply a load w i t h the VAT-40 until the battery
voltage drops t o between 12 — 13.5 V.
Is the amperage 75 A or more?
YES—The charging system is OK.B
N O - G o t o step 1 1 .
11. W i t h the engine speed still at 2,000 r p m , full-field
the alternator. Attach the probe to the VAT-40 full-
field test lead, and insert the probe into the full field
access hole at the back of the alternator. Switch the
field selector to the " A (Ground)" position
momentarily, and check the amperage reading.
Because voltage w i l l rise quickly w h e n the
alternator is full-fielded, do not allow the voltage t o
exceed 18 V: it m a y damage the electrical system.
R E G U L A T O R
( L o c a t e d i n s i d e
t h e e n d c o v e r )
F U L L F I E L D
A C C E S S H O L E
E N D C O V E R
Is the alternator output 75 A or more?
YES — Replace the voltage r e g u l a t o r . •
NO Go t o alternator control system test. I
4-30