INITIAL CHECKS
Before proceeding with charging system diagnosis, ensure
- Battery is fully charged and in good condition
- Battery cables are in good condition with connections clean and secure
- Alternator belt is in good condition and properly tightened
- Alternator and SBEC wiring harness connections are clean and tight.
- Engine ground strap is in place
UNSTEADY OR LOW CHARGING
Check for loose alternator belt, charging resistance too high, defective alternator, loose alternator ground wire or corroded battery terminals.
OVERCHARGING
Check for grounded alternator field wiring or faulty alternator.
NOISY ALTERNATOR
Check for worn alternator bearings or loose alternator mounting.
Note. For additional trouble shooting information, refer to the TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in the GENERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING section.
HARD FAILURES
Hard failures cause CHECK ENGINE light to illuminate and remain on until the malfunction is repaired. If light comes on and remains on (light may flash) during vehicle operation, cause of malfunction must be determined using diagnostic (code) charts. If a sensor fails, SBEC will use a substitute value in its calculations, allowing engine operation in limp-in mode. In this condition, vehicle will run, but driveability may be poor.
INTERMITTENT FAILURES
Intermittent failures may cause CHECK ENGINE light to flicker or stay on until the intermittent fault goes away. The corresponding trouble code will be retained in SBEC memory, however. If fault does not reoccur within a certain time frame, corresponding trouble code will be erased from SBEC memory. Intermittent failures can be caused by faulty sensor, bad connector or wiring related problems. See INTERMITTENTS in H-TESTS W/O CODES article in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE section.
ERASING FAULT CODES
- To erase faults, press ATM key. At DRB-II display, press "2" (ERASE) key. DRB-II will display ERASE FAULTS ARE YOU SURE? (ENTER TO ERASE). Press ENTER key.
- When DRB-II is finished erasing fault codes, it will display FAULTS ERASED. This display will remain until ATM key is pressed. After ATM key is pressed, display will return to CHARGING MENU screen.
READ FAULTS MODE
- This function allows the user to read and erase fault codes. A fault counter will appear along with fault displayed on DRB-II. As an example, DRB-II will display 1 OF 2 FAULTS. SBEC will store up to 8 fault messages. Faults are numbered in reverse order of setting. The most recent fault to occur will be number one. Vehicles without A/C will always have A/C CLUTCH RELAY CKT (circuit) stored in memory. This fault will always be number one if vehicle is not equipped with A/C. If no fault messages are stored, DRB-II will display NO FAULTS DETECTED and start counter will show 0 STARTS SINCE ERS.
- A start counter will appear below DRB-II fault counter display. Start counter counts the number of times vehicle is started since faults were last set, erased, or battery was disconnected. This helps determine if fault is intermittent. Memory space limits start counter to first 3 faults. Start counter of zero equals a hard fault. Start counter of more than zero indicates an intermittent fault. Start counter will count up to 255 starts. If no fault messages are stored, DRB-II will display NO FAULTS DETECTED and start counter will show 0 STARTS SINCE ERS.
STATE DISPLAYS MODE
- This function allows user to read states or values of a variety of sensors, inputs/outputs and components.
- The SBEC can only recognize high and low states on switch circuits. SBEC cannot differentiate between an open or short circuit or a defective switch. If DRB-II displays a change between INPUT HIGH and INPUT LOW, it can be assumed that the entire switch circuit to the SBEC is functioning.
DRB-II VOLT/OHMMETER MODE
- To access volt/ohmmeter mode of DRB-II, connect Red volt/ohmmeter test lead to Red port, located on right-top side of DRB-II. NOTE: Because DRB-II is grounded through engine diagnostic connector, only one volt/ohmmeter test lead is required when using volt/ohmmeter option. DRB-II volt/ohmmeter should only be used when diagnostic procedures require the use of this option.
- To access voltmeter, press VOLT/OHM key once. DRB-II is now in voltmeter mode. Touch test probe to connector or wire to be measured. Read voltage on DRB-II display. When voltage testing is complete, press VOLT/OHM key 3 times to exit voltmeter mode.
- To access ohmmeter, press VOLT/OHM key twice. DRB-II is now in ohmmeter mode. Touch test probe to connector or wire to be measured. Read resistance to circuit ground on DRB-II display. When resistance testing is complete, press VOLT/OHM key twice to exit ohmmeter mode.
DRB-II CONTINUITY METER MODE
Press VOLT/OHM key 3 times. Display will read NO CONTINUITY. Touch test probe to connector or wire to be measured. Read continuity on DRB-II display. When continuity testing is complete, press VOLT/OHM key once to exit continuity meter mode.
VEHICLES TESTED MODE
- Mode is used to show what vehicles are covered by DRB-II cartridge. To access vehicles tested mode, turn ignition off. Attach DRB-II to engine diagnostic connector. Connector is located in engine compartment, near SBEC.
- Turn ignition switch to RUN position. All DRB-II character positions will illuminate and copyright information will appear on screen for several seconds. After several seconds DRB-II menu will appear.
- At DRB-II menu, press "1" (VEHICLES TESTED) key. Press ENTER key. DRB-II will display vehicles covered by cartridge. Screen will display for 5 seconds and return to DRB-II menu.
HOW TO USE MODE
Enter DRB-II menu display. Refer to steps 1) and 2) under VEHICLES TESTED MODE. At DRB-II menu, press "2" (HOW TO USE) key. Press ENTER key. A series of screens will be displayed explaining the use of DRB-II keys used to move through engine diagnostic program.
CONFIGURE MODE
- Configure option allows user to customize DRB-II display. For example, if metric system is more useful to use, simply select METRIC from the appropriate menu.
- All selections made under CONFIGURE option remain active until user changes selection. To enter configure mode, enter DRB-II menu display. Refer to steps 1) and 2) under VEHICLES TESTED MODE. At DRB-II menu, press "3" (CONFIGURE) key. Press ENTER key. DRB-II will display CONFIGURE menu.
BLANK MESSAGE SCREEN
- Connect DRB-II to a different vehicle. If message screen is still blank, DRB-II or cable adapter is faulty. Substitute to find faulty component.
- If message screen is not blank, DRB-II and cable adapter are functioning properly. Inspect diagnostic connector for proper wire placement, damaged terminals or pushed out pins. Repair as necessary.
- If diagnostic connector is okay, using an ohmmeter, check resistance between Black/White or Black/Yellow wire and ground at engine diagnostic connector. If resistance is greater than 10 ohms, repair open in Black/White or Black/Yellow wire.
NO RESPONSE MESSAGE
- Connect DRB-II to another vehicle. If DRB-II displays NO RESPONSE message again, DRB-II or cable adapter is faulty. Substitute to find faulty component. If message screen does not display NO RESPONSE, DRB-II and cable adapter are functioning properly. Go to next step.
- Turn ignition off. Disconnect DRB-II. Using an ohmmeter, check Pink or Black/Red wire for resistance between SBEC and engine diagnostic connectors. If resistance is more than 10 ohms, repair open in Pink or Black/Red wire.
- If resistance is less than 10 ohms, check Light Green/Orange or Black/Pink wire for resistance between SBEC and engine diagnostic connectors. If resistance is more than 10 ohms, repair open in Light Green/Orange or Black/Pink wire.
CARTRIDGE ERROR MESSAGE
Replace DRB-II cartridge.
HIGH OR LOW BATTERY MESSAGE
Correct condition of vehicle battery and reconnect DRB-II.
Note. For more information on SBEC diagnostic capabilities and using DRB-II, see appropriate G-TESTS W/ CODES article in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE section.