STARTING - CHARGING
Alternator
16
OPTIMA 5800 diagnostic station
CHECKING THE CHARGING CIRCUIT USING THE DIAGNOSTIC STATION
The OPTIMA 5800 diagnostic station is used to test the alternator by measuring the voltage and current flow,
with and without electrical consumers.
NOTE : the ampermetric clamp on the station is of the inductive type (measuring range : 0 to 1000 A). It may
be positioned without disconnecting the battery, whichallows computers to retain their memory and set-
tings.
Depending on the engine, the ampermetric clamp may be positioned in different locations (the diagnostic
station will detect incorrect positioning) :
- F3R, F8Q engines : directly at the alternator output, the arrow on the clamp pointing towards the alterna-
tor.
- E7J, K7M engines : on the cable connecting the positive battery terminal to the alternator (this cable
crosses the battery compartment partition).
Measurements are made in three stages:
- measurement of battery voltage, ignition off,
- measurement with no consumers of the regulated voltage and current flow,
- measurement with the maximum number of consumers of the regulated voltage and current flow.
At the end of the test, the values noted will form the basis of a diagnostic report message:
- Battery voltage no load < 12.3 V = battery discharged.
Without consumers:
- Regulated voltage > 14.8 V = > regulator faulty,
- (Regulated voltage no load < 13.2 V) or (charging current < 2 A = > charging fault).
With consumers:
- Regulated voltage > 14.8 V = > regulator faulty,
- Regulated voltage < 12.7 V = > check the alternator flow with reference to its specifications:
Engine E7J K7M F3R F8Q
Without air conditioning 75 (45) 75 (50) 75 (50) 75 (50)
With air conditioning / 110 (80) 110 (80) 110 (80)
Notes for the table: - Current values in Amps.
- The value in brackets corresponds to the minimum flow which should be
supplied by the alternator when all consumers are connected.
FAULT FINDING
SPECIAL TOOLING REQUIRED
16-7
