Intro to Starting and Charging System Diagnosis

Starting System Components:

Charging System Components:

The Battery, Starting, and Charging Systems operate in conjunction with one another, and therefore, must be thoroughly tested as a complete system. In order for the vehicle to start and charge properly, it must have a battery that will perform to specifications. The starter motor, alternator, wiring, and electronics also must perform within specifications.

This section covers Starting and Charging system diagnosis. These procedures include the most basic conventional methods to "On Board Diagnostics" (OBD) built into the vehicle's electronics. The need for conventional testing equipment has not been eliminated by the introduction of OBD. Use of an ammeter, volt/ohmmeter, battery charger, carbon pile rheostat (load tester), and 12 volt test light will be required.

All vehicles are equipped with OBD. All OBD sensing systems are monitored by the Single Board PCM. The PCM will store in electronic memory any detectable failure within the monitored circuits. Refer to Computers and Control Systems for more information.