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How does the PCM work on an alternator?

How does the PCM work on an alternator?

The PCM, in turn, directs the duty cycle on and off as needed, based on the operating strategies programmed into its operating logic. Things like battery voltage, battery temperature, the load on the electrical system, to the engine load are all taken into account as to how much or when the alternator needs to produce energy.

Where is the thermistor located on an alternator?

If so, the thermistor is located at the positive battery terminal and is wired in series between the battery and the alternator’s S terminal. Note that on the alternators discussed in this article, the S terminal is always at the opposite end of the harness connector from the P terminal.

How many volts does a P-L-i-f alternator use?

A typical P-L-I-S or P-L-F-S alternator will operate on terminal L alone. Indeed, zillions of the GM vehicles that have passed through your shop had a single-wire alternator connector—a lone wire connected to terminal L. The electrical systems on the most common GM vehicles apply either 5.00 or 12.00 volts to terminal L after the engine starts up.

What’s the name of the terminals on an alternator?

The most popular alternators have either terminals P-L-I-S or P-L-F-S. Remember that a harness connector for a P-L-I-S alternator physically interchanges with one for a P-L-F-S unit. For the purposes of our isolation tactic, we’re concerned only with terminals P and L.

The PCM, in turn, directs the duty cycle on and off as needed, based on the operating strategies programmed into its operating logic. Things like battery voltage, battery temperature, the load on the electrical system, to the engine load are all taken into account as to how much or when the alternator needs to produce energy.

What does the PCM tell the battery regulator?

The PCM, in turn, tells the regulator how much duty cycle is required based on its programmed operating logic, battery voltage, battery temperature, and the load on the electrical system. This allows the computer to change the charging output instantly or gradually as the situation dictates.

How does a pulse width modulated alternator work?

Things like battery voltage, battery temperature, the load on the electrical system, to the engine load are all taken into account as to how much or when the alternator needs to produce energy. Today’s regulators can read temperature, they know how hot or cold the battery is.

Can a GM alternator be connected to a Ford alternator?

Basically, on GM and Ford type alternators you can disconnect the small connector to check if the alternator itself has the ability to create an output voltage or not. (Chrysler alternators do not use an internal regulator. All field current is directly controlled by the PCM.

Things like battery voltage, battery temperature, the load on the electrical system, to the engine load are all taken into account as to how much or when the alternator needs to produce energy. Today’s regulators can read temperature, they know how hot or cold the battery is.

How many volts does a GM alternator use?

(Chrysler alternators do not use an internal regulator. All field current is directly controlled by the PCM. Disconnecting the small 2-wire plug on these alternators will result in no output.) GM PCM controlled alternators will charge at a default rate of approximately 13.2 to 13.8 volts with the regulator unplugged.

What kind of resistor do I need to charge alternator?

Go to the electronics store and get a resistor or combination of resistors totaling approximately 1800 ohms (1 ⁄2- watt resistors are adequate for this task). Make a jumper wire that’s long enough to go from the alternator’s S terminal all the way back to the positive battery terminal.

A typical P-L-I-S or P-L-F-S alternator will operate on terminal L alone. Indeed, zillions of the GM vehicles that have passed through your shop had a single-wire alternator connector—a lone wire connected to terminal L. The electrical systems on the most common GM vehicles apply either 5.00 or 12.00 volts to terminal L after the engine starts up.

Go to the electronics store and get a resistor or combination of resistors totaling approximately 1800 ohms (1 ⁄2- watt resistors are adequate for this task). Make a jumper wire that’s long enough to go from the alternator’s S terminal all the way back to the positive battery terminal.

The most popular alternators have either terminals P-L-I-S or P-L-F-S. Remember that a harness connector for a P-L-I-S alternator physically interchanges with one for a P-L-F-S unit. For the purposes of our isolation tactic, we’re concerned only with terminals P and L.

Why is the green wire on my PCM not working?

If power is not present then the PCM is damaged. The green wire will show a good ground more than likely but this will not work is there is no +12V to the field. This is where you make use of the article for ECM / PCM rebuilders. Make sure to test the alternator and replace it as well. This is based on the W-T ground wire mod .

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Ruth Doyle