Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2019 Kia Forte EXFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Charging System: Troubleshooting
NOTE:
- Be careful not to short-circuit the wiring by the body or other wirings.
- In case of discharging problem, measure dark current at all times.
(Charging System - "Dark Current Inspection").
- When checking the alternator main fuse, perform continuity test and voltage test between terminals as well as visual check to confirm normal operation.
- When checking the ground, repair or replace after inspecting for defective ground cable, defective installation or defective contact due to foreign object.
- It is not recommended to use non-authentic parts as installing non-authentic parts may cause malfunction of charging system.
- Be careful as misassembly may cause short-circuit of wiring, which may result in battery discharge.
- As it will reset and appear as normal if the battery negative (-) terminal is disconnected while measuring dark current, measure by using a hook meter without disconnecting the negative (-) terminal.
- Note that there may be various phenomenons/possible causes/repair measures apart from above.
- For more effective repairs, refer to DTC INDEX and Appropriate System Wiring Diagram Information.
| Symptom | Suspected Area | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Charging warning lamp does not turn on during IG ON. | Broken alternator main fuse | Inspect/Repair/Replace fuse. |
| Broken instrument cluster fuse | Inspect/Repair/Replace fuse. | |
| Broken instrument cluster internal bulb | Inspect/Repair/Replace instrument cluster. | |
| Defective connection of wiring connector | Inspect/Repair/Replace wiring connection. | |
| Defective voltage regulator or alternator | Inspect/Repair/Replace voltage regulator or alternator. | |
| Defective connection of battery terminal | Inspect tightening of (+) and (-) battery terminals to specified torque. | |
| Communication error | Inspect wiring between regulator and ECM. | |
| Inspect transmission signal of ECM. | ||
| Inspect/Repair/Replace alternator if the wiring and ECM are normal. | ||
| Charging warning lamp does not turn off during engine running. | Worn drive belt or lack of tension | Inspect/Repair/Replace drive belt. |
| Defective connection, corroded or worn battery cable | Inspect connection of battery cable and Inspect/Repair/Replace cable. | |
| Broken alternator main fuse | Inspect/Replace alternator main fuse or battery cable. | |
| Defective voltage regulator or alternator | Inspect/Replace voltage regulator or alternator. | |
| Defective wiring | Inspect/Replace wiring. | |
| Defective instrument cluster | Inspect/Replace instrument cluster | |
| Slip in alternator pulley | Inspect/Replace alternator pulley. | |
| Adjust tension/Replace drive belt. | ||
| Defective connection of battery terminal | Inspect tightening of (+) and (-) battery terminals to specified torque. | |
| Charging warning lamp turns on. | Slip, worn or lack of tension in drive belt | Adjust tension/Replace drive belt. |
| Inspect/Replace auto tensioner (only for auto tensioner type). | ||
| Error in Alternator Management System (AMS) voltage | Inspect battery sensor connecting harness and connection with body. | |
| Error in battery sensor | Inspect/Repair/Replace battery sensor. | |
| Short between battery sensor wiring and body | Inspect/Repair/Replace battery sensor. | |
| Defective alternator L terminal output power | Inspect/Repair/Replace alternator or regulator. | |
| Degradation due to defective contact of battery (+) terminal | Check tightening to specified torque/Inspect/Repair/Replace battery wiring. | |
| Short in alternator connecting extension connector internal pin | Inspect/Repair/Replace wiring. | |
| Short circuit between body and mission ground | Inspect/Repair/Replace ground. | |
| Communication error | Inspect/Repair/Replace wiring between regulator and ECM. | |
| Inspect transmission signal of ECM. | ||
| Inspect/Repair/Replace alternator if wiring and ECM are normal. | ||
| Short in the middle of connection to alternator L terminal (L terminal applied vehicle model) |
Inspect/Repair/Replace wiring. | |
| Drive belt rotation stops due to slip in crankshaft damper pulley or defective pulley. | Inspect or replace crankshaft damper pulley/Inspect, repair or replace drive belt tensioner bearing. | |
| Slip, worn or lack of tension in drive belt | Adjust tension/Inspect/Repair/Replace drive belt. | |
| Defective voltage regulator | Inspect/Repair/Replace voltage regulator. | |
| Defective alternator | Inspect/Repair/Replace alternator. | |
| Broken alternator main fuse | Inspect/Repair/Replace alternator main fuse or battery wiring cable. | |
| Defective ground | Inspect/Repair/Replace ground. | |
| Adjust tension/Inspect/Repair/Replace drive belt. | ||
| Inspect/Repair/Replace wiring connection. | ||
| Inspect/Repair/Replace alternator main fuse. | ||
| Inspect/Repair/Replace alternator. | ||
| Inspect/Repair/Replace voltage regulator. | ||
| Inspect/Repair/Replace battery unit. | ||
| Inspect for dark current/Repair/Replace. | ||
| Discharged battery | Learn/Inspect/Repair/Replace battery sensor. | |
| Inspect for short/Repair/Replace battery cable. | ||
| Inspect/Repair/Replace ECM. | ||
| Inspect/Repair/Replace body electrical related parts. | ||
| Inspect/Repair/Replace installation status of alternator connector. | ||
| Inspect/Repair/Replace tightening of (+) and (-) battery terminals to specified torque. | ||
| Swollen battery | Defective battery | Inspect/Replace battery. |
| Defective voltage regulator or alternator | Inspect/Repair/Replace voltage regulator or alternator. | |
| Defective charging related parts or wiring | Inspect/Repair/Replace charging related parts and wiring. | |
| After inspection, repair or replace related parts in case of malfunction. | ||
Factory Service Tools
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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