Quote:
Originally Posted by duckwize
I haven't felt the car try to charge since. So I ask, how does the car charge? I understand its the electric motor turning into a generator when not in use. But what tells the battery to charge? The BCM? Is there a fuse or relay that could have blown while I was driving through the mountains?
Thanks
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Most likely you have an IMA error (not likely a blown fuse or relay) .. most likely the BCM saw something it didn't like ... sent a signal to disable ... which specific IMA error you have ... go back to the OBDII code reader step to get the code pulled.
You can also repeat the disconnect 12V power , wait , and let idle step ... it won't 'fix' anything ... but it can sometimes let you put off a little while having to do a more detailed fix / service of some part of the IMA system... but it is really just a delay... the error will come back , be it a day or a year latter.
As for the actual questions you asked.
The IMA motor does always spin at the same PRM as the ICE ... but it is the activity of the MDM (Motor Drive Module) that determines if it is assist , Regen , nothing, etc ... it does this by altering the electromagnets in the IMA motor... like any Brushless Permanent Magnet Motor works ... when the electromagnets are working a certain way the IMA motor does not convert any significant rotational mechanical energy to electrical energy ... a different setting for the IMA motor electromagnets and you get 10Amps of assist , a different you get 20Amps of Regen , etc ... etc ... The MDM is the car's 'motor controller'.
The MDM is controlled by the MCM (Motor Control Module) , which is a computer that takes into account readings from various vehicle sensors to 'decide' on the amount of Regen or Assist (or none).
The BCM (Battery Control Module) is a computer that monitors sensors on the battery pack .. it communicates with the MCM ... that communication is part of what the MCM uses to 'decide' how much (if any) assist , regen , etc... If the BCM sends a no-regen signal to the MCM than you will get no regen... if it sends a No-Assist signal to the MCM than you will get no assist... etc.
So nothing tells the battery itself to charge ... instead something (MCM) tells the thing (MDM) that controls the IMA motor itself to alter how it controls the electromagnets ... that control of the electromagnets is what causes the IMA motor to convert rotational mechanical energy into electrical energy ... which just so happens to be connected to the battery ... the battery has no choice about taking the charge or not ... it takes what is sent to it.