Mitsubishi Lancer. Manual - part 203

CHARGING SYSTEM

ENGINE ELECTRICAL

16-4

2. Turn the ignition switch to the "LOCK" (OFF) 

position.

3. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
4. Connect a clamp-type DC test ammeter with a 

range of 0 

− 120 A to the alternator "B" terminal 

output wire.
NOTE: The way of disconnecting the alternator 
output wire and of connecting the ammeter is pos-
sibly not found the problem that the output current 
is dropping due to the insufficient connection 
between terminal "B" and the output wire.

5. Connect a digital-type voltmeter between the 

alternator "B" terminal and the battery (+) 
terminal. [Connect the (+) lead of the voltmeter to 
the "B" terminal and the connect the (-) lead of the 
voltmeter to the battery (+) cable].

6. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
7. Connect a tachometer or the M.U.T.-II/III (Refer to 

GROUP 11A 

− On-vehicle Service − Idle speed 

check <4G1> 

P.11A-11

 or GROUP 11C 

− 

On-vehicle Service 

− Idle speed check <4G6> 

P.11C-11

).

8. Leave the hood open.
9. Start the engine.
10.With the engine running at 2,500 r/min, turn the 

headlamps and other lamps on and off to adjust 
the alternator load so that the value displayed on 
the ammeter is slightly above 30 A.

Adjust the engine speed by gradually decreasing 
it until the value displayed on the ammeter is 30 
A. Take a reading of the value displayed on the 
voltmeter at this time.

Limit: maximum 0.3 V

NOTE: When the alternator output is high and the 
value displayed on the ammeter does not 
decrease until 30 A, set the value to 40 A. Read 
the value displayed on the voltmeter at this time. 
When the value range is 40 A, the limit is maxi-
mum 0.4 V.

11.If the value displayed on the voltmeter is above 

the limit value, there is probably a malfunction in 
the alternator output wire, so check the wiring 
between the alternator "B" terminal and the 
battery (+) terminal (including fusible link).
If a terminal is not sufficiently tight or if the 
harness has become discolored due to 
overheating, repair and then test again.

12.After the test, run the engine at idle.
13.Turn off all lamps and the ignition switch.
14.Remove the tachometer or the M.U.T.-II/III.
15.Disconnect the negative battery cable.
16.Disconnect the ammeter and voltmeter.
17.Connect the negative battery cable.

CHARGING SYSTEM

ENGINE ELECTRICAL

16-5

OUTPUT CURRENT TEST

M1161001000368

AK203362

Alternator

Ammeter
(clamp-type)

Voltmeter

Battery

Inition switch

Engine-ECU
<M/T> or
Engine-A/T-ECU
<A/T>

Load

B

FR

L

S

G

+

AH

–

Charging indicator

Brake warning light

This test determines whether the alternator output 
current is normal.
1. Before the test, always be sure to check the 

following.

• Alternator installation

• Battery (Refer to GROUP 54A − Battery − On-vehi-

cle Service 

P.54A-5

).

NOTE: The battery should be slightly discharged. 

The load needed by a fully-charged battery is 
insufficient for an accurate test.

• Drive belt tension

(Refer to GROUP 11A 

− On-vehicle Service <4G1> 

P.11A-7

 or GROUP 11C 

− On-vehicle Service 

<4G6> 

P.11C-7

.)

• Fusible link

•  Abnormal noise from the alternator while the 

engine is running.

2. Turn the ignition switch to the "LOCK" (OFF) 

position.

3. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

CAUTION

Never use clips but tighten bolts and nuts to con-
nect the line. Otherwise loose connections (e.g. 
using clips) will lead to a serious accident 
because of high current.
4. Connect a clamp-type DC test ammeter with a 

range of 0 

− 120 A to the alternator "B" terminal 

output wire.
NOTE: The way of disconnecting the alternator 
output wire and of connecting the ammeter is pos-
sibly not found the problem that the output current 
is dropping due to the insufficient connection 
between terminal "B" and the output wire.

5. Connect a voltmeter with a range of 0 

− 20 V 

between the alternator "B" terminal and the earth 
[Connect the (+) lead of the voltmeter to the "B" 
terminal, and then connect the (-) lead of the 
voltmeter to the earth].

6. Connect the negative battery cable.

7. Connect a tachometer or the M.U.T.-II/III (Refer to 

GROUP 11A 

− On-vehicle Service − Idle speed 

check <4G1> 

P.11A-11

 or GROUP 11C 

− 

On-vehicle Service 

− Idle speed check <4G6> 

P.11C-11

).

8. Leave the hood open.

CHARGING SYSTEM

ENGINE ELECTRICAL

16-6

9. Check that the reading on the voltmeter is equal 

to the battery voltage.
NOTE: If the voltage is 0 V, the cause is probably 
an open circuit in the wire or fusible link between 
the alternator "B" terminal and the battery (+) ter-
minal.

10.Turn the light switch on to turn on headlamps and 

then start the engine.

11.Immediately after setting the headlamps to high 

beam and turning the heater blower switch to the 
high revolution position, increase the engine 
speed to 2,500 r/min and read the maximum 
current output value displayed on the ammeter.

Limit: 70 % of normal current output

NOTE: 

.

•

For the nominal current output, refer to the 
Alternator Specifications.

•

Because the current from the battery will soon 
drop after the engine is started, the above step 
should be carried out as quickly as possible in 
order to obtain the maximum current output 
value.

•

The current output value will depend on the 
electrical load and the temperature of the 
alternator body.

•

If the electrical load is small while testing, the 
specified level of current may not be output 
even though the alternator is normal. In such 
cases, increase the electrical load by leaving 
the headlamps turned on for some time to dis-
charge the battery or by using the lighting sys-
tem in another vehicle, and then test again.

•

The specified level of current also may not be 
output if the temperature of the alternator body 
or the ambient temperature is too high. In such 
cases, cool the alternator and then test again.

12.The reading on the ammeter should be above the 

limit value. If the reading is below the limit value 
and the alternator output wire is normal, remove 
the alternator from the engine and check the 
alternator.

13.Run the engine at idle after the test.
14.Turn the ignition switch to the "LOCK" (OFF) 

position.

15.Remove the tachometer or the M.U.T.-II/III.
16.Disconnect the negative battery cable.
17.Disconnect the ammeter and voltmeter.
18.Connect the negative battery cable.

CHARGING SYSTEM

ENGINE ELECTRICAL

16-7

REGULATED VOLTAGE TEST

M1161001100860

AK300727 AC

Battery

Ignition switch

Engine-ECU <M/T> 
Engine-A/T-ECU <A/T>

Ammeter (clamp-type)

Load

Blue

MB991519

Voltmeter (digital-type)

Red

Yellow

Black

Alternator

B

FR

L

S

G

This test determines whether the voltage regulator 
correctly controlling the alternator output voltage.
1. Always be sure to check the following before the 

test.

• Alternator installation

• Check that the battery installed in the vehicle is 

fully charged.

(Refer to GROUP 54A 

− Battery − On-vehicle Service − 

Charging 

P.54A-4

).

• Drive belt tension

(Refer to GROUP 11A 

− On-vehicle Service <4G1> 

P.11A-7

 or GROUP 11C 

− On-vehicle Service 

<4G6> 

P.11C-7

.)

• Fusible link

• Abnormal noise from the alternator while the 

engine is running

2. Turn the ignition switch to the "LOCK" (OFF) 

position.

3. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
4. Use the special tool Alternator test harness 

(MB991519) to connect a digital voltmeter 
between the alternator "S" terminal and earth 
[Connect the (+) lead of the voltmeter to the "S" 
terminal, and then connect the (-) lead of the 
voltmeter to a secure earth or to the battery (-) 
terminal].

5. Connect a clamp-type DC test ammeter with a 

range of 0 

− 120 A to the alternator "B" terminal 

output wire.

NOTE: The way of disconnecting the alternator 
output wire and of connecting the ammeter is pos-
sibly not found the problem that the output current 
is dropping due to the insufficient connection 
between terminal "B" and the output wire.

6. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
7. Connect a tachometer or the M.U.T.-II/III (Refer to 

GROUP 11A 

− On-vehicle Service − Idle speed 

check <4G1> 

P.11A-11

 or GROUP 11C 

− 

On-vehicle Service 

− Idle speed check <4G6> 

P.11C-11

).

8. Turn the ignition switch to the "ON" position and 

check that the reading on the voltmeter is equal to 
the battery voltage.
NOTE: If the voltage is 0 V, the cause is probably 
an open circuit in the wire or fusible link between 
the alternator "S" terminal and the battery (+) ter-
minal.

9. Turn all lamps and accessories off.
10.Start the engine.
11.Increase the engine speed to 2,500 r/min.
12.Read the value displayed on the voltmeter when 

the alternator output current alternator becomes 
10 A or less.

13.If the voltage reading conforms to the value in the 

voltage regulation, then the voltage regulator is 
operating normally.