Download Nissan Pulsar, Sentra, and 310`s with E15, E16 and E16I engines

LOW SYSTEM VOLTAGE TROUBLESHOOTING
NOTE:
Low charging voltage is a symptom of an excessive current demand by the vehicle's
electrical system. With no current demand (load), this alternator will regulate to
14-14.3 volts. If your voltage reads lower, examine the table below.
Voltage / current rotation (engine idling)
VOLTAGE
CURRENT
DIAGNOSIS
14-14.3
0-16
O.K.
13.5-13.9
17-25
O.K.
12.9-13.4
26-30
TEST FOR EXCESSIVE
12.3-12.8
31-40
CURRENT DEMAND
NOTE: As alternator current output increases, the voltage decreases.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Nissan Pulsar, Sentra, and 310’s with E15, E16 and E16I
engines came from the factory with a spacer between the
alternator mount and the back ear of the alternator. This
spacer must be installed with the new alternator or
damage will result.
Testing for excessive current demand
1. Start engine and let engine idle. Turn all accessories off.
2. Place a voltmeter across the battery terminals.
3. While watching voltmeter disconnect fuse in the fuse box one at a time. When the voltage
increases to 14v , you've found the circuit with the excessive current demand.
4. If voltage is still low, disconnect electrical components that are not fused and proceed as in
step (4).
Examples of components that cause excessive current demand
1. Bad or undercharged battery.
2. Faulty radiator cooling fan motors (a fan motor will operate but demand excessive current).
3. Radiator cooling fan motors that have been wired to operate on and off with the ignition
switch. This happens when someone has bypassed the temperature sensor.
4. Rear window defogger switch shorted.
5. A seat belt switch shorted or seat belt relay defective.
6. Poor alternator ground.
7. Air conditioning components (fan motors, clutch , etc.).
8. Any electrical component that is defective and demanding excessive current.
Minimum voltage readings with ALL accessories ON (engine idling):
Non-Airconditioned vehicles:
13.3 volts
Airconditioned vehicles:
12.8 volts
CURRENT DRAIN TESTING
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Turn off engine and everything on the car that uses current.
Disconnect the negative (-) battery cable from the battery.
Place a test light between the negative battery post and the disconnected cable. If the test
light glows, either some electrical accessory is still on or there is a short that is draining
battery current.
If the test light doesn't glow there is no current drain.
To find the current drain, disconnect (one at a time) fuses and electrical components until
the light stops glowing. When the light stops glowing that component or circuit contains the
current drain.
Replace or repair shorted wire and\or faulty electrical components.
Failure to install the spacer shown will result in damage to
the alternator. Not installing this spacer where needed will
distort the housings and cause the rotor to rub inside the
stator, thus damaging the stator. Not installing this
spacer where needed will void any and all warranty. If
you are in need of a replacement spacer, one may be
obtained from your local Nissan dealer (P/N 11713-01M00).
LIABILITY DISCLAIMER The information contained in this document is based upon data which we believe to be correct and we assume no liability for errors or
omissions therein. Furthermore, we assume the person or persons using this information to be knowledgeable of safety precautions Invoked in working on a vehicle's
electrical system. We assume no liability for damage to the vehicle or person working on the vehicle that may happen while following the instructions in this document.
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