Mitsubishi Outlander GS45X. Manual - part 526

CHARGING SYSTEM

TSB Revision

ENGINE ELECTRICAL

16-3

CHARGING SYSTEM

GENERAL INFORMATION

M1161000101934

The charging system charges the battery with the 
generator output to keep the battery charged at a 
constant level during varying electrical load.

OPERATION 

Rotation of the excited field coil generates AC volt-
age in the stator.
This alternating current is rectified through diodes to 
DC voltage having a waveform shown in the illustra-
tion above.
The average output voltage fluctuates slightly with 
the generator load condition.
When the ignition switch is turned on, current flows in 
the field coil and initial excitation of the field coil 
occurs.
When the stator coil begins to generate power after 
the engine is started, the field coil is excited by the 
output current of the stator coil.
The generator output voltage rises as the field cur-
rent increases and it falls as the field current 
decreases. When the battery positive voltage (gener-
ator S terminal voltage) reaches a regulated voltage 
of approximately 14.4 V, the field current is cut off. 
When the battery positive voltage drops below the 
regulated voltage, the voltage regulator regulates the 
output voltage to a constant level by controlling the 
field current.
In addition, when the field current is constant, the 
generator output voltage rises as the engine speed 
increases.

<2.4 L Engine>

AK400075

Voltage

Time

Approximately

AC

14.4 V

AK704219

Generator

B

ECM

CAN 
communication

G
S
L
FR

Battery

+

-

AB

Generator
malfunction
light

Combination 
meter

Stator coil

Stator coil

Voltage
regulator

Field coil

CHARGING SYSTEM

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ENGINE ELECTRICAL

16-4

<3.0 L Engine>

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

M1161000200648

SERVICE SPECIFICATIONS

M1161000300861

AK700032

Generator

B

Stator 
coil

ECM

G
S
L
FR

Voltage
regulator

Battery

Field coil

+

-

AB

Generator
malfunction light

CAN communication

Item

2.4L engine

3.0L engine

Type

Positive battery positive voltage sensing

Identification number

A2TX0881A

A3TG4491

Part No.

1800A288

1800A141

Rated output V/A

12/130

12/120

Voltage regulator

Electronic built-in type

Item

Standard value

Limit

Regulated voltage
(Ambient temperature at 
voltage regulator)

−20°C (−4°F)

14.2 

− 15.4

−

20

°C (68°F)

13.9 

− 14.9

−

60

°C (140°F)

13.4 

− 14.6

−

80

°C (176°F)

13.1 

− 14.5

−

Generator output line voltage drop (at 30 A) V

−

Maximum 0.3

Output current

−

70 % of normal output 
current

Field coil resistance 

Ω

Approximately 2 

− 5

−

Brush protrusion length mm (in)

−

Minimum 2 (0.08)

CHARGING SYSTEM

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ENGINE ELECTRICAL

16-5

CHARGING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS

M1161000700546

TROUBLESHOOTING HINTS

Generator malfunction light does not go on when the ignition 

switch is turned to ON, before the engine starts.

• Check the generator malfunction light.

Generator malfunction light does not switch off after the engine 

starts.

• Check the IC voltage regulator inside the generator.

Discharged or overcharged battery.

• Check the IC voltage regulator inside the generator.

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

The charging system troubleshooting guide is shown in the fol-
lowing steps.

STEP 1.
Q: Is the battery in good condition? (Refer to GROUP 54A, 

Chassis Electrical 

− Battery − On-vehicle Service − 

Battery Check 

P.54A-7

.)

YES : Go to Step 2.
NO :  Charge or replace the battery.

STEP 2.
Q: Is the generator drive belt in good condition? (Refer to 

GROUP 00, General 

− Maintenance Service − Drive Belts 

(For Generator, Power Steering Pump and Air 
Conditioning) (Check) 

P.00-74

.)

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 GROUP 54A, 

Chassis Electrical 

− Ignition Switch − Ignition 

Switch 

− Inspection 

P.54A-26

).

Check the generator malfunction light and its related 

circuits.

Check the generator. (Refer to Charging System 

− 

Generator Assembly 

− Inspection 

P.16-25

).

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 Charging System 

− 

Generator Assembly 

− Inspection 

P.16-25

.)

CHARGING SYSTEM

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ENGINE ELECTRICAL

16-6

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 Charging System 

− On-vehicle Service − Wave 

Pattern Check Using an Oscilloscope 

P.16-12

.) 

YES : Go to Step 7.
NO :  Check the generator. (Refer to Charging System 

− 

Generator Assembly 

− Inspection 

P.16-25

.)

STEP 7.

• Engine: 2,500 r/min

• Headlight: ON (high beam)

• Voltage between generator terminal B and the positive bat-

tery terminal
OK: 0.5 V or less

• Voltage between the negative battery terminal and genera-

tor 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 Charging 

System 

− On-vehicle Service − Output Current Test 

P.16-9

.)

YES : Go to Step 9.
NO :  Check the generator (Refer to Charging System 

− 

Generator Assembly 

− Inspection 

P.16-25

.)

STEP 9.
Q: Is the regulated voltage normal? (Refer to Charging 

System 

− On-vehicle Service − Regulated Voltage Test 

P.16-11

.)

YES : Go to Step 10.
NO :  Check the generator (Refer to Charging System 

− 

Generator Assembly 

− Inspection 

P.16-25

.)

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.