- a) Inspect the drive belt to make sure it is tight and not damaged. Replace if damaged (contact the head Current service).
- b) Make sure that the alternator mounting bolts are securely tightened;
- c) Check alternator wiring and all connectors. All contacts must be reliable and not oxidized;
- d) Check the appropriate fuses located in the engine compartment (contact the head Onboard electrical equipment). If you find a blown fuse, remove the cause of the blown fuse and replace it (if the corresponding fuse blows, you will not be able to start the engine or turn on any of the devices);
- e) Start the engine and make sure that there are no extraneous sounds from the generator (whistling or squealing may indicate a bearing failure or worn brushes);
- f) Make sure the battery is fully charged. If one of the cans is damaged, the battery may draw excess current;
- g) Disconnect the wire ends from the battery (first negative). Inspect the battery terminals and wire lugs. If signs of corrosion are found, thoroughly clean them (refer to chapter Current service). Attach the wire lugs to the terminals and tighten securely.
Measure the voltage at the battery terminals with the engine off. It should be around 12V.
Attach a voltmeter to the battery terminals and start the engine. Increase the speed until a stable voltage is established. The voltmeter reading should be between 13.5 and 14.6 V.
Turn on as many electrical appliances as possible (headlights, heater fan, heated rear window, etc.) and check that the voltmeter shows between 13 and 14 volts. The voltage may drop but should rise again (To do this, you may have to slightly increase the engine speed).
If the voltage on the voltmeter exceeds the specified values, replace the voltage regulator.
If the voltage on the voltmeter is below the maximum allowable, then worn brushes, weak brush springs, failure of the voltage regulator, a burnt diode, an open in the winding, and also a malfunction of the collector rings can serve as the cause of the malfunction. The condition of the brushes and rings can be checked, but if nothing changes, the generator must be removed for inspection, repair or replacement.