Nissan PULSAR N13 Series / ASTRA LD Series. Manual — part 48

Electrical System

193

Installed view of the stop lamp switch and the flasher

unit.

(2) Fault in the warning lamp wiring: Check and

repair the fault.

NOTE: When renewing bulbs ensure that a
new bulb of the correct wattage is used.

TURN SIGNAL LAMPS FLASH WEAKLY AND
AT GREATER THAN NORMAL SPEED

1.

Faulty flasher unit: Check and renew the

flasher unit.

2.

Front or rear bulb blown on the turn side:

Check and renew the bulb.

NOTE: If the flasher unit is to be renewed,
always try to obtain a genuine replacement
part.

HAZARD WARNING LAMPS DO NOT
OPERATE

Fuse blown: Rectify the fault and renew as

necessary.

Flasher unit faulty: Renew the flasher unit.

Hazard warning switch faulty: Renew the

switch.

Fault in the wiring circuit: Check and repair

the fault.

5. TEST EQUIPMENT AND SOME

APPLICATIONS

Special Equipment Required:

To Make Test Lamp or Jumper Lead — Soldering
iron

When working on the electrical system, a test

lamp and jumper leads can be very useful to check
circuits.

TO MAKE A JUMPER LEAD

The minimum materials required to make a

jumper lead are one length of 4 mm wire and two
small alligator clips.

Grouping of materials to construct jumper leads of

various sizes.

Bare both ends of a suitable length of 4 mm

wire.

Connect a small alligator clip to each end of

the wire. Solder and tape the connections.

Test the jumper lead for continuity by re-

moving one battery cable and connecting the lead
between the cable and the battery terminal. Turn the
ignition On and the dashboard warning lamps should
operate indicating a completed circuit through the
jumper lead.

Remove the jumper lead from the circuit and

reconnect the battery.

NOTE: Make a few jumper leads of various
lengths using different sizes and types of
alligator and battery clips.

TO MAKE A TEST LAMP

Due to the extensive use of electronic components

in the electrical system, an LED (light emitting diode)
test lamp can be made from a suitable length of 3 mm
wire, an alligator clip, an LED, a 1/4 watt 560 ohm
resistor, a suitable case such as an old ball point pen
case and a length of rod or wire sharpened to form a
probe.

(1) Solder the length of wire to the K (cathode)

194

Electrical System

Schematic of LED test lamp. Ensure that the connec-

tions to the K (cathode) lead and A (anode) lead of the

LED are as illustrated.

lead of the LED. The K lead is the shorter of the two
leads and is adjacent to the flat on the LED.

Solder the 560 ohm resister to the A (anode)

lead of the LED.

Solder a short length of wire to the other lead

of the resistor and to the probe.

Drill a hole in the side of the case to accept

the wire attached to the K lead of the LED.

Mount the probe in the case. If using a pen

case, push the probe through the lower end of the pen
after removing the refill.

Push the lead attached to the K lead of the

LED through the hole made in the side of the case and
solder the alligator clip to the lead.

Mount the LED to the case. If using a pen

case, the LED may be mounted in the plug at the top
of the pen after drilling the plug to accept the LED.

Suitably attach the probe to the case using

adhesive or tape.

TO TEST SWITCHES

Disconnect the wires from the switch.

Using a test lamp, test each wire to locate the

power wire. It may be necessary to turn the ignition
On as the switch may be wired through the ignition
circuit.

Disconnect the test lamp and connect a

jumper lead between the power wire and the wire
from the other side of the switch.

If the circuit functions, the switch can be consid-

ered faulty and should be renewed. Refer to the
heading Switches and Controls.

TO TEST BULBS

Remove the bulb from the bulb holder.

Connect a jumper lead between the positive

terminal of a battery and the base of the bulb.

Connect another jumper lead between the

negative battery terminal and the contact on the base
of the bulb. The bulb should illuminate.

If the bulb has two filaments, connect the jumper

lead to the second contact on the base of the bulb. The
second filament should illuminate.

If the bulb fails to illuminate, it should be

renewed with a bulb of the correct voltage and
wattage.

TO TEST CIRCUITS

Turn the circuit switch On.

Using a test lamp, check for power at one of

the circuit connections. A fuse is a good starting point.

If power is available, reconnect the connector and

continue checking towards the motor or bulb end of
the circuit.

If power is not available, continue checking

towards the battery or switch end of the circuit.

6. BATTERY

Special Equipment Required:

To Test — Hydrometer
To Charge — Battery charger

TO REMOVE AND INSTAL

(1) Disconnect the negative and positive battery

terminals.

Installed view of the battery

.

Electrical System

195

(2) Remove the battery holding clamp and lift

the battery from the vehicle.

Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure

with attention to the following points:

Ensure that the terminals and posts are

clean.

When connecting the leads to the battery,

ensure that the polarity is correct. Connect the
positive lead first.

Do not over tighten the terminal clamp

nuts.

Apply petroleum jelly to the battery termi-

nals to prevent corrosion.

MAINTENANCE

Battery maintenance should be performed at the

scheduled services.

NOTE: Keep naked flames away from the
battery as the battery gases are highly
explosive.

(1) Keep the battery and the surrounding area

clean and dry. In particular, ensure that the top of the
battery is free from dirt and moisture to prevent a
voltage drop between the terminals.

If necessary, clean the battery case as follows:

Remove the battery from the vehicle as

previously described.

Pour hot water over the battery being careful

not to allow any water to enter the battery through the
filler cap vent holes.

Wipe the battery case clean.

Clean the battery terminals and posts using a

battery post cleaner, wire brush or emery cloth.
Remove all dirt and corrosion.

Remove the filler caps and check that the

vent holes are clear.

Check the electrolyte level and replenish with

distilled water as necessary. The correct level is just
above the top of the plates. Do not overfill the battery.
Do not transfer electrolyte from one cell to another.

(5) If the battery electrolyte requires frequent

replenishing, check the battery case for cracks. If the
case is damaged, renew the battery.

Check for overcharging by measuring the output

of the alternator as described later in this section.

Apply petroleum jelly to the battery termi-

nals to prevent corrosion.

If the electrolyte has overflowed and contam-

inated the battery carrier and surrounding body
panels, proceed as follows:

With the battery removed from the vehicle,

sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the contaminated
areas.

Pour hot water over the bicarbonate of soda.

The bicarbonate of soda will react with the water and
begin to foam.

When the bicarbonate of soda has stopped

foaming, rinse the area with clean water and allow to
dry.

Remove any blistered paint from the con-

laminated areas.

Paint the contaminated areas with a corro-

sion inhibiting paint.

TO TEST AND CHARGE

(1) Using a hydrometer, test the specific gravity

of the battery electrolyte. Refer to the following chart
which shows charge conditions for various specific
gravity readings.

1.110-1.130. . . . . . . ... Fully discharged

1.140-1.160. . . . . . . ..Nearly discharged

1.170-1.190. . . . . . ...Approximately one

quarter charged

1.200-1.220. . . . . . . . . . Half charged

1.230-1.250. . . . . . . Approximately three

quarters charged

1.250-1.280. . . . . . . . . . Fully charged

These readings are for electrolyte at a temperature

of 20 deg C. For every 10 deg above 20 deg C, add
0.007. For every 10 deg below 20 deg C, subtract
0.007.

NOTE: An accurate specific gravity reading
cannot be obtained if distilled water has
recently been added to the electrolyte. If the
electrolyte level is below the battery plates,
replenish with distilled water and charge the
battery before testing the specific gravity.

(2) If a low state of charge is indicated, or if the

specific gravity readings vary more than 0.030 be-
tween cells, the battery should be 'charged, using a
battery charger, with attention to the following points:

(a) Disconnect the negative and positive battery

terminals.

Cleaning the battery terminals using a battery post

cleaner.

196

Electrical System

Check the specific gravity in each cell with a hydro-

meter.

Check the battery electrolyte level and re-

plenish as necessary.

Remove the filler caps from the battery.

Follow the battery charger manufacturers

instructions.

(3) Should the battery fail to operate satisfacto-

rily after charging, it is recommended that it be taken
to a workshop with the necessary equipment to per-
form a load test. Load testing, when performed in
conjunction with the specific gravity tests described
above will give an accurate indication of the service-
ability of the battery.

7. ALTERNATOR

Special Equipment Required

To Test On Vehicle - Voltmeter, 100-0-100
amp ammeter, ohmmeter
To Dismantle — 200 watt soldering iron,
bearing

puller, press

To Assemble — 200 watt soldering iron

DESCRIPTION

Two types of alternator are installed to the range

of vehicles covered by this manual, either Hitachi or
Bosch.

In the alternator, the field and pole shoe assembly

is the moving part and it is shaped to form the rotor.
Since only a low amperage current flows between the
slip rings on the rotor shaft and the brushes, wear on
the brushes and slip rings is very slight and mainte-
nance is reduced to a minimum.

The output current is generated in the fixed stator

windings and is a three phase alternating current
(AC). The stator windings are wound on a laminated
soft iron former, star connected and installed between
the end brackets.

As it is not possible to charge a storage battery

with alternating current, it is necessary to rectify the
output of the stator windings to direct current (DC).

This is done by a bank of diodes mounted within the
alternator slip ring end bracket.

The output of the alternator is governed by the

regulator and the built in characteristics of the alter-
nator.

The regulator and brush holder assembly on

Hitachi alternators is mounted within the alternator
on the slip ring end bracket side. On Bosch
alternators
the regulator and brush holder unit is mounted to the
outside of the slip ring end bracket.

An electrical cut out unit is not necessary with the

alternator charging system as the diodes prevent a
reverse current flow through the alternator.

SERVICE PRECAUTIONS

Ensure that the battery is connected with the

correct polarity to earth. Refer to Specifications.

Do not short out or ground any terminals

common to the charging circuit.

Always disconnect the battery before con-

necting a battery charger.

If a booster battery is used, always connect it

in a parallel circuit i.e. positive to positive ( + to + )
and negative to negative (- to -) to maintain a 12
volt supply.

Never disconnect the battery or terminals in

the charging circuit while the engine is running.

Regularly check that the alternator drive belt

tension is as specified. Refer to the Engine Tune-up
section.

Keep the battery terminals clean and all

electrical connections tight.

Disconnect the battery and alternator when

electric welding on the vehicle.

TO TEST ON VEHICLE

If the charge indicator lamp stays on after the

engine has been started and run at approximately
1 000 rpm, carry out the following tests.

Stop the engine.

Check the condition and adjustment of the

alternator drive belt.

Clean the battery terminals, tighten all elec-

trical connections, check the wiring for shorts to earth
and/or bridged circuits. Ensure that the battery is fully
charged. If the battery is discharged charge it or
replace it with one fully charged.

Start the engine and allow it to run until

normal operating temperature is reached.

Stop the engine and disconnect the negative

battery terminal.

Remove the nut and washer from the alter-

nator output terminal (B +) and disconnect the alter-
nator output lead.

Connect one lead of an ammeter to the

alternator output terminal and the other lead to the
lead removed from the output terminal.

Connect the negative battery terminal and

connect a voltmeter across the battery terminals.