2 Ford's with Check Charging System Message

2 Ford's with Check Charging System Message - Smart alternator testing

Рет қаралды 14,041

Жыл бұрын

Not often do I see failures with for alternators but now we have two in shop. These alternators have two wires used to communicate between the PCM and the alternator. It isn't a can-bus or lin-bus but instead just a duty cycle depending on the load and voltage requested.
Ford calls these GEN Mon and GEN Com.

Пікірлер: 42

@scottschantz2553 Жыл бұрын

Nice one Chad! I've seen this same problem twice, both in Ford Edge's. You are definitely correct about installing OEM alternators also. First time, customer requested aftermarket, same over-voltage problem. After that I would never install aftermarket alternator on a computer controlled Ford again. Thanks for your thorough explanation and direction. Great job man.

@ThePracticalMechanic Жыл бұрын

I’ve been burned too many times with aftermarket alternators on certain vehicles. I complained to rotating electrical rep one time and he told that the most alternators that are sent back defective aren’t actually defective but many of them just have the incorrect regulator installed. I told him that still means it’s defective and I’ll be filing a labor claim.

@djosbun Жыл бұрын

Hello Chad, I know that adding the red arrows to your edit isn’t a major thing but it’s actually a huge plus for those viewing the video. An excellent diag as always. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

@ThePracticalMechanic Жыл бұрын

Sometimes I forget that others can see what data pid I’m looking at or are unfamiliar with the tool I’m using so I hope the arrows and highlighted boxes will help. Thanks for the confirmation and sharing feedback. It helps me with future video edits.

@grabovg Жыл бұрын

Great Job Chad. I hope the new year treats you guys good! Keep the content rolling. I can’t get enough!

@ThePracticalMechanic Жыл бұрын

So far so good but we are only a few days in😬. Hope you and the family have a great year as well.

@heatmizr13 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your video's. That was a good explanation for testing "F" circuit codes. I hope you and your family have a Happy, Healthy New Year.

@ThePracticalMechanic Жыл бұрын

Thank you. I hope you and yours have a safe and happy new years as well.

@mikedavidson2117 7 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for the explanation of the put up and pull down on how it works I bought a mic sig scope and it has a ford smart alternator test but the way you explained the system I now know what to look for thanks again and god bless you SIR

@vlmmnadet1304 8 ай бұрын

Great video and informative, thank you for this

@d.k.3910 Жыл бұрын

Just returned from the local dealer where I was searching for a solution to the (low blah-blah so your radio/accessories have been turned off) warning on my dash. Dealership said, "YOU Need a NEW battery". I had replaced the battery 2 days ago, which obviously didn't correct the issue. "So it ISN'T the battery", I said. So, just to be certain, I went back to the battery store where of course the battery checked out just fine. The man even put in a new battery and of course the code returned. I should state here that I know my way around vehicles after spending decades in the automotive industry with expertise in a different field beyond "It NEEDS a new battery." ALSO, this vehicle was purchased from a massive used car lot where I know for a fact they had to jump it off due to a week/dead battery from lack of use. It was noted on the key chain. I think I'll cancel the appointment tomorrow at the next town's dealership and check my alt. wires for signs of life. I WILL suggest the 1st dealership watch THIS video and that of another KZfaqr's channel. You both have PROVEN where the problem is & isn't. I suggested the dealership try a different battery. For $179.99 plus tax, they would. I told them that I would be sure to let everyone know about their service & my experience. I'll certainly do the same for you. Thank you for your insight, real world knowledge, and efforts to inform. 2014 Ford Flex

@ThePracticalMechanic Жыл бұрын

How did you make out? Was it another bad battery like the stealership said or a faulty alternator?

@robertgibbons361 Жыл бұрын

excellent video Great job

@Airman.. Жыл бұрын

Good call

@kingjames8283 8 ай бұрын

I too am dealing with same issues with my 2012 F-150. Replaced alternator with Motorcraft 225-amp (over $600), and replaced Motorcraft AGM battery with a Motorcraft lead-acid (over $250) keeping both old alternator and battery yet charging issues persist. I've now purchased a replacement factory OEM charging wire harness (battery, alternator, a/c, starter) and just waiting for a warm weekend when I can do the swap. Not sure how many hours it will take to remove old harness but guessing it will be several. Once out I can inspect for damage and location of same (corrosion, mice, chipmunks, squirrels chewing on insulation) and prepare new harness so this can never happen again in future. I have a Banks digital monitor mounted to driver pillar and most of time vehicle charges normally at 14.3 vdc, then for no reason it dumps down to 12.8 vdc while at speed which then fluctuates (11.9 - 15 vdc) up/down with the throttle pedal position (higher voltage pedal up / lower voltage pedal down) alternator makes whirling sound (pedal up) in addition, headlights, dash lights briefly dim when launching from a stop. I do not understand the connection between the throttle pedal and the charging system but somehow they are both connected. As this has occurred with both alternators/batteries, I do believe wire harness is to fault.

@martinarrieta248 Жыл бұрын

Grasias

@IamReadyToRock Жыл бұрын

thnks

@spelunkerd Жыл бұрын

Chad, are you in the habit of only boosting a stranger with the donor engine off? I learned old school, to leave donor engine on so voltage is higher, better energy transfer, and no risk of depleting the donor battery. However new cars don't like to be boosted above 12 V, there's a risk of throwing codes on the vehicle with the dead battery. What do you think?

@ThePracticalMechanic Жыл бұрын

I prefer to use a jump box like the jumpncarry 660 or noco jump box but I will jump start with most of my vehicles if needed. I will not jump start with my highlander hybrid. It’s not worth the risk of damaging the dc/dc converter. I think it would be safest to turn both cars off while connecting the cables and then start the car with a good battery and let it run for a while to jump the other car. Perhaps shut off good car before cranking the dead car to prevent the 300-500 amp load from damaging the alternator. I honestly hadn’t given it much thought before since my vehicle are all over 10yrs old. New finicky electronics may make carrying a booster pack a more common item.

@clueless6559 Жыл бұрын

Just quick question does the alternator put out a diagnostic bias voltage on the monitor wire like the pcm does on the control wire , just subscribed was looking for info and testing ford smart charge and found your great channel i didnt know about , thanks again .

@ThePracticalMechanic Жыл бұрын

The alternator outputs the bias on the command wire and the pcm toggles to ground. The pcm supplies bias to monitor wire and alternator toggles to ground.

@clueless6559 Жыл бұрын

@@ThePracticalMechanic Thanks for reply , reason i asked is i noticed a 2/3 volt on the command wire when the alt was unplugged and the pcm was toggling it , cheers again.

@ThePracticalMechanic Жыл бұрын

@@clueless6559 ah. I think your correct. That bias is probably for an open circuit test. If the pcm sees 3 volts it may set an open circuit code. If it sees 12 volts it will set short to b+ and stuck to ground it sets short to ground code. I misunderstood on the original question.

@nickayivor8432 Жыл бұрын

PRODIGY THE PRACTICAL MECHANIC THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH US PRODIGY THE PRACTICAL MECHANIC From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧

@jakemartin4305 Жыл бұрын

I just foxed a dodge pickup with same set up for alternator it had been to another shop thry replaced both batteries (diesel) the alternator no fix they told customer needs PCM he declined i found the wires at the plug at alternator broken new pigtail and connector unit charges

@ThePracticalMechanic Жыл бұрын

All it takes is a little testing and you can normally isolate the true fault. Good work.

@mikemerck5701 9 ай бұрын

Getting same message about 10 minutes after installed new battery. Will it go away in 4-8 hours. Is it ok to drive car?

@ballstoyou33 11 ай бұрын

I’m having battery system charging on my 2016 2.3 Ecoboost mustang I have coded P0620 generator control circuit malfunction I’ve tested those wires for continuity and they’re good it has a new battery the alternator has been replaced 3 times all from advanced auto it worked but then the alternator housing bolts all came undone and I had This code pop up and so then I got a used oem alternator from a car with the same miles and it worked for a bit but then I get the same code again the car had a fresh batter 14v but now it’s down to 10.4 and it kinda hangs then and then just dies

@ballstoyou33 11 ай бұрын

I’m gonna try to read the charge on the wires like you shows I found the exact diagram online for the gencom system and the pins for the pcm which is 26 and 59 I believe I gotta double check but they all have continuity so I’m kinda stuck I might buy a new alternator at this point and try that but I’m gonna have my alternator tested

@brandonthompson678 Ай бұрын

I have a 18 Mustang GT and the alternator gauge bounces between 12.0 and 13.5V. I am wondering if this a common state for the car (when the PCM is calling for more power)? it seems to go up when I take my foot off the gas and start to slow either by applying the brake peddle or just coasting down a hill. Any direction would be great.

@motologist1917 5 ай бұрын

hey brother plz reply back , i am having ford fiesta diesel , whenever i start the car battery warning light comes on the dash but if i revv the car till 4k rpm it disappears , and wont come back till i turn off the car , what is the issue

@gabrielsolarte9310 6 ай бұрын

Hi, nothing happens when you disconnect the alternator socket for testing? does it affect anything? thanks

@jerseyshorefabricators7431 5 ай бұрын

Can this be seen with a voltmeter and not just a scope?

@ThePracticalMechanic 5 ай бұрын

You could use a combination of the voltage setting and duty cycle setting to figure out what the signals are doing. I just like the easy visual that the scope gives.

@neilhaslam 10 ай бұрын

Brother I'm having the same issue after I left my car sitting for 11 days to get inspection. I picked it up and this light came on. Now I'm being quoted $750 for an alternator. But the battery in this car is over 5 years old. Could it just be the battery?

@vlmmnadet1304 8 ай бұрын

Take your battery to get checked, change it if need to. However, if the charge system appears very likely that your alternator also was dying as well

@user-io9sm4vq7l 6 ай бұрын

What scanner do you use

@ThePracticalMechanic 6 ай бұрын

This was the Snapon Zeus

@evanstephayn272 7 күн бұрын

How long can a car run with a faulty regulator??

@ThePracticalMechanic 7 күн бұрын

@@evanstephayn272 depends on if the vehicle is charging properly. If you check the charging voltage and it’s normal, then you could probably drive it that way for a long period of time. If the alternator is under charging or overcharging, you risk damaging other components.

@evanstephayn272 7 күн бұрын

@@ThePracticalMechanic I did recieve the check charging system light for a short period of time, I was able to check my voltage which is at about 14.5, However, I did not have the reader plugged in while, The car had the code, (the reader plugs into my cigarette lighter spot), I had a faulty alternator on my other honda CRV which successfully showed the jumping in voltages. Woul;d it be worth monitoring the voltage while continuing to drive It or would It be worth replacing it ASAP, I do believe that it is still charging, and have seen no other signs of a bad alternator, ( dimming/ flickering lights, trouble starting, etc)