Alternator: Description and Operation

Charging System

The charging system is a negative ground system consisting of:

- a generator with an internal voltage regulator.
- a charging system warning indicator.
- a battery.
- circuitry and cables.
- a PCM.

The generator is driven by the accessory drive belt. When the engine is started, the generator begins to generate AC voltage which is internally converted to DC voltage. The DC voltage is controlled by the voltage regulator (located on the rear of the generator) and supplied to the battery. The PCM controls the voltage regulator set point, communicating with the generator internal voltage regulator over a dedicated Local Interconnect Network (LIN) communication circuit.