Description & Operation

WARNING: Vehicles are equipped with air bag supplemental restraint system. Before attempting any repairs involving steering column, instrument panel or related components, see DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM in AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS article in RESTRAINTS.

CAUTION: When battery is disconnected, vehicle computer and memory systems may lose memory data. Driveability problems may exist until computer systems have completed a relearn cycle. See COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION before disconnecting battery.

NOTE: Models equipped with diesel engines use dual generators.

AD-230 and AD-244 generators are non-repairable. They are electrically similar to earlier models. Generators feature these following major components: a delta stator, rectifier bridge, rotor with slip rings and brushes, conventional pulley, Dual internal fans, and voltage regulator. Pulley and fan cool slip ring and frame. AD stands for Air-cooled Dual internal fan; 2 is an electrical design designator; 30/44 denotes outside diameter of stator laminations in millimeters, over 100 millimeters. Generators is rated at 102 and 130 amperes respectively. Generator features permanently lubricated bearings. Service should only include tightening of mounting components. Generator is replaced as a complete unit.

Voltage regulator controls field current of rotor in order to limit system voltage. Regulator switches current on and off at a rate of 400 cycles per second in order to perform these following functions: radio noise control, and obtain correct average current needed for proper system voltage control. At high speeds, on-time may be 10 percent with off-time at 90 percent. At low speeds, on-time may be 90 percent and off-time 10 percent.

Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) illuminates charge indicator on Driver's Information Center (DIC) message center when this occurs:

Powertrain Control Module (PCM) detects that generator output is 11 volts or less or greater than 16 volts. IPC receives a class 2 message from PCM requesting illumination.
IPC determines that system voltage is 11 volts or less or greater than 16 volts. IPC receives a class 2 message from Body Control Module (BCM) indicating system voltage.
IPC performs displays test at start of each ignition cycle. Indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds.