Troubleshooting Guide

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The charging system troubleshooting guide is shown in the following steps.

STEP 1.
Q: Is the battery in good condition? (Refer to BATTERY TEST ).
- YES: Go to Step 2.
- NO: Charge or replace the battery.
STEP 2.
Q: Is the drive belt in good condition? [Refer to DRIVE BELT (FOR WATER PUMP AND GENERATOR) (CHECK CONDITION) ].
- YES: Go to Step 3.
- NO: Adjust the belt tension or replace the belt.
STEP 3.
Q: Does the generator malfunction light come on when the ignition switch is turned on?
- YES: Go to Step 4.
- NO: Check the ignition switch. (Refer to IGNITION SWITCH, INSPECTION ).
  Check the generator malfunction light and its related circuits.
  
  Check the generator. (Refer to INSPECTION - 2.4L ENGINE or refer to INSPECTION - 3.0L ENGINE ) .
STEP 4.
Q: Does the generator malfunction light go out after starting the engine?
- YES: Go to Step 5.
- NO: Check the generator. (Refer to INSPECTION - 2.4L ENGINE or refer to INSPECTION - 3.0L ENGINE ).
STEP 5.
Q: Is an oscilloscope available?
- YES: Go to Step 6.
- NO: Go to Step 7.
STEP 6.
Q: Does the oscilloscope show a normal wave pattern? (Refer to WAVEFORM CHECK USING AN OSCILLOSCOPE ).
- YES: Go to Step 7.
- NO: Check the generator. (Refer to INSPECTION - 2.4L ENGINE or refer to INSPECTION - 3.0L ENGINE ) .
STEP 7.
- Engine: 2,500 r/min
- Headlight: ON (high beam)
- Voltage between generator terminal B and the positive battery terminal
  OK: 0.5 V or less
- Voltage between the negative battery terminal and generator body
  OK: 0.5 V or less
Q: Are the generator output line and ground line in good condition?
- YES: Go to Step 8.
- NO: Check the generator output line and ground line.
STEP 8.
Q: Is the output current normal? (Refer to OUTPUT CURRENT TEST ).
- YES: Go to Step 9.
- NO: Check the generator. (Refer to INSPECTION - 2.4L ENGINE or refer to INSPECTION - 3.0L ENGINE ) .
STEP 9.
Q: Is the regulated voltage normal? (Refer to REGULATED VOLTAGE TEST ).
- YES: Go to Step 10.
- NO: Check the generator. (Refer to INSPECTION - 2.4L ENGINE or refer to INSPECTION - 3.0L ENGINE ).
STEP 10.
Q: Is the voltage drop in the generator output line normal?
- YES: Generator is normal. Check other systems.
- NO: Check the output line.