What controls a Ford Smart charge alternator?
What controls a Ford Smart charge alternator?
ECU
Smart charge alternators are controlled externally by the ECU with information being sent between the two via the communication cable as a signal.
When does the alternator warning light shut off?
When you start the engine, the car will check to make sure the alternator is outputting the correct voltage. This warning light will shut off after a few seconds if the computer has determined that the alternator is functional.
What should the resistance be for an alternator?
If all this checks out then I suspect you have a wiring issue. I would perform either a voltage drop or resistance measurement of each of the wires from the PCM to the alternator. Also, through the fusible link from the battery to the alternator. You should have less then a half ohm of resistance.
What should I do if my alternator is not working?
The solution is to check your car’s manual for the particular fuse that controls the alternator and replace it. In some cars, you might also find another small fuse to the alternator’s control—usually a 15A to 20A fuse. An alternator does usually has 3 or 4 wires to it to function properly.
Why does my alternator light go off when I raise the RPM?
Then if this light is going off when you raise the RPM then that means by spinning the alternator faster to increase the output puts the voltage over the minimum spec to turn the light off. If all this checks out then I suspect you have a wiring issue.
Why does the battery warning light come on after replacing the alternator?
A relatively common “side-effect” of replacing a battery and/or alternator in a car is to have the voltage (battery) warning light come on. This is especially true in late-model vehicles with their more sophisticated internal diagnostic systems.
When does the alternator turn on the idiot light?
When the engine starts and gets up to a high enough rpm for the alternator to start putting out voltage, there is a diode inside that takes some of the output voltage and featured back to the terminal that goes to the idiot light.
What was the problem with my alternator going out?
I was thinking that the problem was probably the alternator and as I was trying to get to my house the instruments began to go out. First the tach, then the speedometer, and then the accelerator pedal was unresponsive. I was able to limp for a little while, but it eventually totally quit.
When to check the voltage of the alternator?
When investigating a flat battery or other potential issue you should always check the voltage with the engine running to make sure the alternator output is charging the battery sufficiently otherwise your only guessing the battery is at fault – as you found out the fault was elsewhere.
