Chrysler Le Baron, Dodge Dynasty, Plymouth Acclaim. Manual

BATTERY/STARTING/CHARGING SYSTEMS DIAGNOSTICS

CONTENTS

page

BATTERY TEST PROCEDURES ON-VEHICLE

. . 3

FAULT CODES—ON BOARD DIAGNOSTICS

. . 23

GENERAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
GENERATOR TEST PROCEDURES ON VEHICLE

. 19

IGNITION OFF DRAW (IOD)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

SPECIFICATIONS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

STARTER TEST PROCEDURES ON VEHICLE

. 11

GENERAL INFORMATION

• For Battery, Starter or Generator replacement re-
fer to Group 8B, Battery/Starter/Generator Service.
This Group 8A will cover diagnostics only.

The Battery, Starting, and Charging Systems oper-

ate with one another, and must be thoroughly tested
as a complete system. To enable the vehicle to start
and charge properly, it must have a battery that will
perform to specifications. The starter motor, genera-
tor, wiring, and electronics also must perform within
specifications. Group 8A will cover Starting (Fig. 1)
and Charging System (Fig. 2) diagnostic procedures.
These will be covered from the most basic conven-
tional methods to On Board Diagnostics (OBD) built
into the vehicle’s electronics. The need for conven-
tional testing equipment has not been eliminated by
the introduction of OBD. Frequent use of an amme-
ter, volt/ohmmeter, battery charger, carbon pile rheo-
stat (load tester), and 12 volt (low wattage) test light
will be required.

All front wheel drive vehicles are equipped with

OBD and all OBD sensing systems are monitored by
the Powertrain Control Module. The Powertrain Con-
trol module will store in electronic memory, any de-
tectable failure within the monitored circuits. It will
retain this information for a period of 50 engine
starts, then erase the memory if the failure does not
reoccur during that period. This also will translate a
monitored failure as a FAULT CODE when a read-
out command is given. A readout command can be
made by turning the ignition switch to ON-OFF-ON-
OFF-ON without starting the engine. The Malfunc-
tion Indicator (CHECK ENGINE) Lamp on the
instrument cluster will flash in preset sequences to
show Fault Codes. However, the Malfunction Indica-
tor (Check Engine) Lamp cannot express fault codes
for all failures. Fault codes are easier to obtain and
more complete with the use of Diagnostic Tool (DRB
II). This tool is plugged into the diagnostic connector

located in the engine compartment (Fig. 2). Refer to
the instructions provided with the (DRB II) tool be-
ing used.

For numbered Fault Codes pertaining to compo-

nents within this Group, refer to Failure Codes—On
Board Diagnostics in Group 8A. For other Fault
Codes which, do not pertaining to this Group 8A, re-
fer to Group 14, Fuel System, On Board Diagnostics.

Fig. 1 Starting System Components

BATTERY/STARTING/CHARGING SYSTEMS DIAGNOSTICS

8A - 1

Chrysler Le Baron, Dodge Dynasty, Plymouth Acclaim. Manual - part 267