R
Page 1TG115A
C528 Alternator
Troubleshooting Guide
C.E. Niehoff & Co.
Contents
Section A: Description and Operation ................................. 2
Section B: Basic Troubleshooting ........................................ 5
Section C: Advanced Troubleshooting ................................ 6
Battery Charging Conditions
The following conditions may be observed during cold-start
voltage tests until temperatures of electrical system compo-
nents stabilize. The time it takes to reach optimum voltage
and amps will vary with engine speed, load, and ambient
temperature.
Maintenance/Low Maintenance Lead-Acid Battery:
Traditional lead acid batteries require lowest charge voltage
of all vehicle battery chemistries. Battery cells must be
maintained by periodically topping off with distilled water as
required.
Maintenance-free Lead-Acid Battery:
Maintenance-free batteries are similar to Maintenance/Low
Maintenance batteries, but may require slightly higher
charge voltage.
Deep-cycle/Marine Maintenance-free Battery:
Charge acceptance of these batteries may display charac-
teristics similar to maintenance-free batteries and may
charge faster due to generally lower capacity relative to
size.
AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) Maintenance-free Battery:
These dry-cell batteries respond better than standard main-
tenance-free batteries. If battery state of charge (SOC)
drops to 75% or less, batteries should be recharged to 95%
or higher separately from engine charging system to avoid
damaging charging system components and to provide best
overall performance. Charge acceptance of these batteries
may display
characteristics similar to maintenance batteries,
but may require higher charge voltage and will draw signicant
current (<100 amps) when under 50% SOC.
Lithium Battery:
Lithium batteries have unique charging characteristics that
differ from lead acid. These batteries require charging sys-
tems congured specically for lithium battery chemistries.
Contact CEN for more information on lithium battery charg-
ing systems and components.
Testing Guidelines
Professional service technicians rely on the following guide-
lines when testing electrical components.
Voltage testing:
• Set meter to proper scale and type (AC or DC).
• Be sure to zero the meter scale or identify the meter
burden by touching meter leads together. Meter burden
must be subtracted from nal reading obtained.
• Be sure the meter leads touch source area only.
Prevent short circuit damage to test leads or source by
not allowing meter leads to touch other pins or exposed
wires in test area.
• Be sure to use CEN tools designed especially for trou-
bleshooting CEN alternators when available.
Resistance (ohm) testing:
• Set meter to proper scale.
• Be sure to zero the meter scale or identify the meter
burden by touching meter leads together. Meter burden
must be subtracted from nal reading obtained.
• Be sure meter leads touch source area only. Allowing
ngers or body parts to touch meter leads or source
during reading may alter reading.
• Be sure reading is taken when source is at 70ºF. Read-
ings taken at higher temperatures will increase the
reading. Conversely, readings taken at lower tempera-
tures will decrease the reading.
• Be sure to test directly at the source. Testing through
extended harnesses or cable extensions may increase
the reading.
• "OL" as referenced in this document refers to open cir-
cuit: "innite" resistance, typically in very high kilo- or
megaohm range depending on meter and settings.
Diode testing:
• Diodes allow current to ow in one direction only. Typi-
cal voltage drop in forward bias can range from 0.1-
0.85V. Meter should read OL in reverse bias. Check
meter user manual for meter-specic testing guidelines.
Voltage drop testing:
• Measure voltage between B+ on alternator or power
source and B- (ground) on alternator or source. Record
reading. Move to batteries or other power source and
measure again between B+ and B- terminals on battery
or other power source. The difference between the two
readings represents voltage lost within circuit due to,
but not limited to, inadequate cable gauge or faulty con-
nections.
• Voltage drop measurements must be taken with all
electrical loads or source operating.
Dynamic/Live testing (Connecting power and ground to
component to test operation/function out of circuit):
• Connect jumper leads directly and securely to power
source contacts of component being tested.
• Make any connection to power and ground at power
supply or battery source terminals. Do not make con-
nection at component source terminals, as that may
create an arc and damage component source terminals.
