2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42
When the battery on a car or motorcycle is poorly charged or recharged, so to speak, then first of all you need to pay attention to the generator relay. Of course, this problem could be caused by many other reasons, but most often it is in the relay. But how to check the relay with a multimeter? Let's talk about that.
This item is designed to protect the battery and extend its life for many years. And all this despite its compactness. Therefore, if you suddenly find that the car does not start well after the night, notice any white smudges and poor starter operation, then it's time to climb under the hood. Therefore, it is important to know how to check the starter relay with a multimeter, because if everything is left as it is, the battery will "die" pretty quickly.
Definition
Before you check the relay with a multimeter, you need to understand what it is in general - a relay. This is a device designed to regulate the currentthe car's alternator, which prevents it from recharging the battery. Therefore, because of this element, batteries last longer.
By and large, a relay is a voltage stabilizer that does not allow voltages greater than 14.5 volts. This gauge is extremely accurate and is a must for all types of machines. However, there are several types of relays.
Types
To summarize, there are only two types, and they work on the same principle - they increase or decrease the voltage to the required indicator - 14.5 Volts. The first type - the relay is combined with the brush assembly. It is usually attached to the generator itself, and the relay itself is located in the housing where the brushes are placed.
Also, the relay can be made as a separate device, which is mounted on the car body, and the wires from it go to the generator, and then to the battery.
The cases of both types of relays are filled with glue or sealant, and they are not repaired at all. So, if we check the solenoid relay with a multimeter and it turns out that it is not working, then we will have to buy a new one with a guarantee. Fortunately, it is cheap, especially for domestic VAZ cars. Therefore, it is more convenient and easier to buy a new relay, rather than hack the old one.
If it "died", then the battery will be recharged. This means it's time to change the relay. But for this it is important to know how to check the relay with a multimeter, because we need to find out that it is in it, and not in any other part of the generator. There are at least two optionschecks: without removing it from the car and with removal.
How to test the generator relay with a multimeter without removing it from the car?
Signs of regulator failure are clearly visible. Especially if it's freezing outside. The battery will always be either undercharged or overcharged. In the first case, a weak battery charge is easy to determine by how the starter turns the engine. He will barely turn it, and to no avail. Sometimes when you turn the key, nothing happens at all, and the lights on the panel go out.
Recharging the battery is practically no different. The same thing will happen, plus the electrolyte from the battery cans will boil away. You can determine the overcharge by decreasing in electrolyte banks. As a result of evaporation, a white coating may also form on top of the battery. Body parts under the battery may also have a white coating. Usually, with such symptoms, drivers think that the battery is damaged, but in fact, everything is in order with it, and the matter is in the relay-regulator, and it is on it that you need to pay attention first of all. But for this you must know how to check the relay with a multimeter.
It's easy to do. To do this, take our multimeter and set it to voltmeter mode. With it, we can measure the voltage at the battery terminals with the engine running. Note that when the engine is off, the normal voltage should be in the range of 12.4-12.7 V. If, for example, the voltage is 12 V, then the battery needs to be charged and the causes should be looked for.undercharged.
Normal stresses
So, start the engine, set the multimeter to 20 V voltmeter mode and connect its probes to the terminals. If the voltage is in the region of 13.2-14 V, then everything is in order with the battery. Increase engine speed to 2000-2500. In this case, the voltage should rise to approximately 13.6-14.3 V, which is also within the normal range. Now increase the speed to 3500, and the voltage should rise to 14-14.5 V. Approximately in these marks, there should be a voltage in a working battery with a working relay.
Abnormal values on the multimeter
If the values deviate from the indicated ones up or down, then this indicates a malfunction of the relay. For example, if the voltage drops to 12 V with an increase in engine speed, then something is clearly wrong here. Also, an increase in voltage to 15-16 V indicates a malfunction of the relay-regulator.
Power surges do not always indicate a relay malfunction, but very often. Sometimes the generator itself can fail. In any case, if power surges occur, you should first change the regulator, and if the problem persists, then you need to replace the generator and completely check the system.
Checking the combined relay-regulator
If the brush assembly is aligned with the relay, the alternator will need to be removed for inspection. First you need to check the combined relay-regulator circuit, which is used today on many foreign and even domestic cars.machines.
To do this, you will need to remove and disassemble the generator, because the unit we need is attached to the generator shaft, along which the brushes run. We are looking for a "window" for the brushes on the generator, unscrew the fastening bolt, take out the brush assembly and clean it. It's usually covered in graphite dust.
Now we need to assemble a special circuit using a regulated load power supply. We also need a battery, because the power supply or charger does not work without it. So, we connect the charger to the battery and in parallel to the relay-regulator, and to the latter we also connect a 12 V bulb.
With this connection, the bulb will light up - this is normal, because the brush assembly is a conductor, and in a quiet state, the voltage here is 12.7 V. Now we need to raise the voltage on the charger to 14.5 V. The lamp, when this is reached indicator should go out. After all, 14.5 V is a "cut-off" of voltage growth. And if the lamp goes out, it means that the relay has worked, and in principle it is working.
Otherwise, if the voltage reaches 15-16 V, and the light is on, it means that the relay does not cut off. In this case, it must be replaced with a new one.
Now you know how to test the regulator relay with a multimeter, and you can do it yourself.
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