Battery Charging System - Description & Operation
The charging system includes the following major components:
- The Battery
- The Generator (some call it an alternator)
- Two (2) fuses
Under-hood fuse #30 (10 Amp) [ALT SENSE/Generator] &
Fuse panel (inside passenger compartment) fuse #36 (10 Amp)
[Instrument Panel, BCM, etc.])
- Power train Control Module (PCM)
- All associated wiring & connectors,
including 2 "Fusible links" A & Z (see schematic below)
Basic Operation:
- The generator supplies voltage to
operate the electrical system and charge the battery.
- The PCM sends a "turn-on" signal
to the generator when the engine is running (turns on the internal
regulator).
- Terminal F is connected to the
voltage regulator internally and externally to the PCM (I don't
see it on the schematic). When the regulator detects problems in
the charging system, it grounds this signal to "tell" the PCM.
- When a problem is detected, the
PCM sends a (serial) message to the instrument panel (turns on
"charge light").
- The "Sense" circuit receives
system voltage (terminal D in schematic) at all times (through a
fuse). This is a "reference" voltage for the charging system.
Other information:
- The "Charge Indicator" is
displayed when; a) the PCM detects less than 11 volts or more than
16 volts from the generator, b) a test is performed at ignition, and
c) ignition is on but the engine is off.
- Fusible links (A & Z) protect the
generator & battery.
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