Charging System: Other Mazda RX-8 I facelift

Electrolyte Specific Gravity

1. Measure the electrolyte specific gravity using a hydrometer.

1. If it is less than the specification, recharge the battery. (See «BATTERY RECHARGING [13B-MSP]»(ref-367630-S41658023882010072700000) .)

Battery electrolyte specific gravity [20°C {68°F}] 1.22-1.29

Battery Voltage

1. Inspect the battery as follows

BATTERY INSPECTION CHART

Battery load test current 80D26L(55): 195A

Standard specification

BATTERY SPECIFICATION

Back-Up Current

1. Verify that the ignition switch is off (key has been removed) and that all doors are closed.
2. Remove the engine cover. (See «ENGINE COVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [13B-MSP]»(ref-367623-S37771794152010072700000) .)
3. Remove the battery cover. (See «BATTERY REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [13B-MSP]»(ref-367630-S30865077932010072700000) .)
4. Disconnect the negative battery cable. (See «BATTERY REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [13B-MSP]»(ref-367630-S30865077932010072700000) .)
5. Connect the tester between the negative battery terminal and negative battery cable, leave the battery undisturbed for 30 min , and then measure the back-up current. If not within the specification, measure the back-up current while removing the fuses one by one from the inside of the main fuse block and the inside of the fuse block. CAUTION: Operating electrical loads while the back-up current is being measured can damage the tester. NOTE: If the battery is not left undisturbed for 30 min , the tester will indicate a high value ( approx. 300 mA .) If the key or any electrical accessory is operated within approx. 30 min after the tester is connected, the battery must be left undisturbed for approx. 30 min from that point. For vehicles with the immobilizer system, the system periodically shifts synchronization of the security light flashing. Therefore, 45 mA (0.1 s) current is supplied when the security light is illuminated, and 25 mA (2 s) current is supplied when the security light is not illuminated. In addition, the measuring instrument, which shows the average value, indicates around 30 mA . Battery back-up current (When the ignition switch is off, the ignition key is removed, and all doors are closed.) 25-45 mA
6. Inspect and repair wiring harnesses and connectors of the fuse where the current has decreased.

BATTERY RECHARGING [13B-MSP]

1. Remove the battery and then place it in a pan of water. (See «BATTERY REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [13B-MSP]»(ref-367630-S30865077932010072700000) .)
2. Remove the battery filler caps.
3. Connect a battery charger to the battery and adjust the charging current as follows.
4. After the battery is recharged, verify that the voltage is within the specification and remains at the same value for 1 h or more after the recharging has been completed.

1. If not within the specification, replace the battery.

Standard voltage 12.4 V or more

Generator Warning Light

1. Verify that the battery is fully charged.
2. Verify that the drive belt deflection/tension is within the specification. (See «DRIVE BELT DEFLECTION/TENSION INSPECTION [13B-MSP]»(ref-367623-S29451537772010072700000) .)
3. With the ignition switch turn to the ON position, verify that the generator warning light illuminates. If it does not illuminate, inspect the generator warning light and the wiring harness. If the generator warning light and the wiring harness are normal, inspect the PCM.
4. Verify that the generator warning light goes out after the engine is started. If the generator warning light does not go out, perform the DTC inspection, then perform troubleshooting according to the corresponding diagnostic procedure. (See «ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC TEST [13B-MSP]»(ref-367617-S34886470052010072700000) .) (See «DTC TABLE [13B-MSP]»(ref-367614-S36405652992010072700000) .)

Voltage

1. Verify that the battery is fully charged.
2. Verify that the drive belt deflection/tension is within the specification. (See «DRIVE BELT DEFLECTION/TENSION INSPECTION [13B-MSP]»(ref-367623-S29451537772010072700000) .)
3. Turn off all electrical loads.
4. Start the engine.
5. Verify that the generator rotates smoothly without any noise while the engine is running. If there is any noise, find the cause and repair or replace the generator.
6. Measure the voltage at each terminal using a tester.

Generator standard voltage [IG-ON]

Terminal B: B+

Terminal P: Approx. 1 V or less

Terminal D: Approx. 0 V

Scheme 8

Generator standard voltage [Idle, 20°C {68°F}]

Terminal B: 13-15 V

Terminal P: Approx. 3-8 V

Terminal D: Turn the electrical loads (headlights, blower motor, rear window defroster, brake lights, etc.) on and verify that the voltage reading increases.

Current

Note. Since the charging current decreases rapidly after starting the engine, carry out the following procedure quickly, and read the maximum current value.

1. Verify that the battery is fully charged.
2. Verify that the drive belt deflection/tension is within the specification. (See «DRIVE BELT DEFLECTION/TENSION INSPECTION [13B-MSP]»(ref-367623-S29451537772010072700000) .)
3. Remove the engine cover. (See «ENGINE COVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [13B-MSP]»(ref-367623-S37771794152010072700000) .)
4. Remove the battery cover. (See «BATTERY REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [13B-MSP]»(ref-367630-S30865077932010072700000) .)
5. Disconnect the negative battery cable. (See «BATTERY REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [13B-MSP]»(ref-367630-S30865077932010072700000) .)
6. Connect a tester, which can read 120 A or more , between generator terminal B and the wiring harness.
7. Connect the negative battery cable.
8. Turn off all electrical loads.
9. Start the engine. NOTE: When the electrical load on the vehicle is low, the specified current cannot be verified although the generator is normal. In this case, increase the electrical load (Leave the headlights turned on for a while, then discharge the battery, or use a similar method.) and recheck. When the generator itself or the ambient temperature are too high, the specified current also cannot be verified. In this case, cool down the generator and recheck.
10. Turn the electrical loads (headlights, blower motor, rear window defroster, brake lights, etc.) on and verify that the current reading increases more than the minimum value indicated below.

1. If it is not as specified, go to the PCM and generator shearing inspection. (See «PCM AND GENERATOR SHEARING INSPECTION»(ref-367630-S30091680552010072700000) .)

Note. Current required for generating power varies with the electrical loads applied.

Generator generated current (reference value) [Conditions] Ambient temperature: 20°C {68°F}, Voltage: 13-15 V, Engine hot

GENERATOR GENERATED CURRENT REFERENCE CHART

Scheme 9

1. Connect the M-MDS to the DLC-2.
2. Inspect as follows

GENERATOR DIAGNOSIS CHART Step Inspection Action 1 Measure the generator terminal B voltage when the electrical loads (1) are on and off. 15 V or more Go to Step 2. 13-15 V Normal (2) 13 V or less Go to Step 3. 2 Monitor the ALTT V PID using the M-MDS, (See ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC TEST [13B-MSP] .) or measure the PCM 2AJ terminal waveform using an oscilloscope. (See PCM INSPECTION [13B-MSP] .) Is the value normal? Yes Go to Step 4. No PCM input error. 3 Monitor the ALTT V PID using the M-MDS, (See ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC TEST [13B-MSP] .) or measure the PCM 2AJ terminal waveform using an oscilloscope. (See PCM INSPECTION [13B-MSP] .) Is the value normal? Yes Go to Step 5. No PCM input error. 4 Monitor the ALTF PID using the M-MDS, or calculate the duty value of the PCM terminal 2AI using an oscilloscope. Is the duty value 100%? Yes PCM input error. No PCM, generator, or both are not normal. 5 Monitor the ALTF PID using the M-MDS, or calculate the duty value of the PCM terminal 2AI using an oscilloscope. Is the duty value 0%? Yes PCM input error. No PCM, generator, or both are not normal. (1) Headlights, blower motor, rear window defroster, brake lights, etc. (2) If the generator field coil duty value does not change when electrical loads (such as headlights, blower motor, rear window defroster, brake lights) are on or off, inspection with discharged battery is needed

Scheme 10

Scheme 11

Scheme 12

1. Measure the resistance between the slip rings using a tester. If not within the specification, replace the rotor. Generator rotor resistance (between slip rings) [20°C {68°F}] 1.7-2.0 ohms
2. Verify that there is no continuity between the slip ring and core using a tester. If there is continuity, replace the rotor.
3. Inspect the slip ring surface condition. If the slip ring surface is rough, use a lathe or fine sandpaper to smooth it.

Scheme 13

Stator Coil

1. Inspect for continuity between the stator coil leads using a tester. If there is no continuity, replace the stator coil.
2. Verify that there is no continuity between the stator coil leads and the core using a tester. If there is continuity, replace the stator coil.

Scheme 14

Brush

1. Inspect brushes for wear. If any brush is worn almost to or beyond the limit, replace all of the brushes.

Generator brush length

Standard: 18.5 mm {0.73 in}

Minimum: 5.0 mm {0.2 in}

Scheme 15

Brush Spring

1. Measure the force of the brush spring using a spring pressure gauge.
2. Read the spring pressure gauge at the brush tip projection of 2 mm {0.079 in}.

1. Replace the brush spring if necessary.

Generator brush spring force

Standard: 4.8-6.0 N {0.49-0.61 kg, 1.08-1.34 lb}

Minimum: 2.16 N {0.22 kg, 0.49 lb}

Scheme 16

Rectifier

1. Inspect for continuity of the diodes using a tester.

Scheme 17

1. If not as specified, replace the rectifier.

Specification

CONTINUITY SPECIFICATION

Scheme 18

Bearing

1. Inspect for abnormal noise, looseness, and sticking.

1. Replace the bearing if necessary.

Scheme 19