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.
Generator Inspection: Generator: Current
- Since the charging current decreases rapidly after starting the engine, carry out the following procedure quickly, and read the maximum current value.
- Verify that the battery is fully charged.
- Verify that the drive belt is correct. (See DRIVE BELT INSPECTION .)
- Remove the battery cover. (See BATTERY REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Disconnect the negative battery cable.
- Connect a tester, which can read 120 A or more, between generator terminal B and the wiring harness.
- Connect the negative battery cable.
- Turn off all electrical loads.
- Start the engine.
- Increase engine speed to 2, 500 RPM.NOTE:
- When the electrical load on the vehicle is low, the specified current cannot be verified although the generator is normal. In this case, increase the electrical load (Leave the headlights turned on for a while, then discharge the battery, or use a similar method.) and recheck.
- When the generator itself or the ambient temperature are too high, the specified current also cannot be verified. In this case, cool down the generator and recheck.
- Turn the electrical loads (headlights, blower motor, rear window defroster, brake lights, etc.) on and verify that the current reading increases more than the minimum value indicated below.
- If it is not as specified, go to the PCM and generator shearing inspection. (See PCM AND GENERATOR SHEARING INSPECTION .)
Generator generated current minimum value
70% of the nominal output current (nominal output current: 110 A)
[Ambient temp. 20°C {68°F}, voltage 13.0-15.0 V, both engine and generator are hot]
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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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