Charging System Pinpoint Test 6: Charging System Warning Indicator Flickers Or Is Intermittent

PINPOINT TEST 6 - CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR FLICKERS OR IS INTERMITTENT

PINPOINT TEST 6		THE CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR FLICKERS OR IS INTERMITTENT
STEP	INSPECTION		ACTION
1	CHECK FOR LOOSE CONNECTIONS Check all generator, battery, and power distribution connections for looseness, corrosion, loose or bent terminals, or loose eyelets. Are all connections clean and tight?	Yes	Go to next step.
		No	Repair as necessary. Test the system for normal operation.
2	CHECK THE FUSE CONNECTIONS Key in START position. With the engine running, check the SJB fuse 10 (10A) in the circuit LG/R for looseness by wiggling the fuse and noting the charging system warning indicator operation. Does the charging system warning indicator flicker?	Yes	Repair the loose fuse connection(s) as necessary. Test the system for normal operation.
		No	Go to next step.
3	CHECK CIRCUIT Y/W CONNECTIONS Key in OFF position. Connect a fused (30A) jumper wire between the generator circuit Y/W (backprobed), harness side and the positive battery terminal. Key in START position. With the engine running, note the charging system warning indicator operation. Does the charging system warning indicator flicker?	Yes	If 3.0L or 4.0L engine, Go to next step. Test the system for normal operation. If 2.3L engine, Install a new generator. See GENERATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - 2.3L . Test the system for normal operation.
		No	Repair the loose connection(s) in the circuits. Test the system for normal operation.
4	INSPECT CIRCUIT W/B TERMINAL Key in OFF position. Check the generator circuit W/B terminal to make sure it is correctly mated to the generator and making good contact with the terminal on the generator by carrying out a wiggle test of the terminal. Is the terminal in satisfactory condition?	Yes	Go to next step.
		No	Repair as necessary. Test the system for normal operation.
5	CHECK THE GENERATOR BRUSHES Remove the generator from the vehicle. See GENERATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - 2.3L or GENERATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - 3.0L, 4.0L Measure the resistance between 0117-01 pin 3, component side and the F terminal on the voltage regulator. Is the resistance less than 5 ohms?	Yes	Install a new generator. See GENERATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - 2.3L or GENERATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - 3.0L, 4.0L . Test the system for normal operation.
		No	Go to next step.
6	CHECK FOR A GROUNDED SLIP RING Remove the voltage regulator. See VOLTAGE REGULATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION . Measure the resistance between the generator slip rings. Is the resistance greater than 10,000 ohms?	Yes	Install a new generator. See GENERATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - 2.3L or GENERATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - 3.0L, 4.0L . Test the system for normal operation.
		No	Install a new voltage regulator. See VOLTAGE REGULATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION . TEST the system for normal operation.
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.