Pinpoint Test N: The Charging System Warning Indicator Is Never/Always On

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer and 2005 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

N1 CHECK THE BATTERY VOLTAGE
- With the engine running, measure the battery voltage.
- Is the battery voltage OK?
- Yes : GO to N2.
- No : REFER to CHARGING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION to continue diagnosis of the charging system.
N2 CARRY OUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INDICATOR LAMP CONTROL ACTIVE COMMAND USING THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL
- Key in ON position.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the diagnostic tool: Instrument Cluster Active Command.
- Select the instrument cluster warning lamps and chime active command. Trigger the all lamps active command on and off. Observe the charging system warning indicator.
- Does the charging system warning indicator illuminate when triggered on and turn off when triggered off?
- Yes : GO to N4.
- No : GO to N3.
N3 CHECK FOR CORRECT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OPERATION
- Disconnect all the instrument cluster connectors.
- Check for:
  - corrosion
  - pushed-out pins
- Connect all the instrument cluster connectors and make sure they seat correctly.
- Operate the system and verify the concern is still present.
- Is the concern still present?
- Yes : INSTALL a new instrument cluster. REFER to INSTRUMENT CLUSTER . TEST the system for normal operation.
- No : The system is operating correctly at this time. The concern may have been caused by a loose or corroded connector.
N4 CHECK FOR CORRECT POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) OPERATION
- Disconnect all the PCM connectors.
- Check for:
  - corrosion
  - pushed-out pins
- Connect all the PCM connectors and make sure they seat correctly.
- Operate the system and verify the concern is still present.
- Is the concern still present?
- Yes : INSTALL a new PCM. REFER to ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROLS . TEST the system for normal operation.
- No : The system is operating correctly at this time. The concern may have been caused by a loose or corroded connector.