# Charger indicator lamp is on but in low contrast **URL:** \ **Category:** GEM Forum\ **Created:** [September 26, 2024, 1:56pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383 "2024-09-26T13:56:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Teritary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71c47a/32.png) [@Teritary](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Teritary)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 1:56pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/1 "2024-09-26T13:56:29Z")
Hello, I have a problem on my 2011 gem elxd, when I start it, the charger indicator lamp is on but in low contrast and nothing else on the screen is showing up. And when i plug the green wire of the charger with the + and - plug on the + and - of the batteries there is nothing at all. I precise that the converter DC/DC on my gem is dead so waiting for the replacement i put a 12V battery directly into the +12V switched and unswitched with the ignition switch pin plug on the +12V unswitched and - of the battery into the gnds pins. ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 2:28pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/2 "2024-09-26T14:28:08Z")
> [@Teritary](#): > > And when i plug the green wire of the charger with the + and - plug on the + and - of the batteries there is nothing at all. What exactly did you do here? Can you explain with a bit more detail/description of which wires you were connecting? There are specific locations the charger wires are supposed to go. If not, you can damage the charger and or the car systems. > the converter DC/DC on my gem is dead so waiting for the replacement i put a 12V battery directly into the +12V switched and unswitched with the ignition switch pin plug on the +12V unswitched and - of the battery into the gnds pins. This is also not a very good idea. Back feeding power into car electrical systems without knowing how everything works is a very good way to destroy hard to find and expensive components. Instead of trying all sorts of wildcard tricks “just to get it to light up”, I highly recommend getting to know the car systems first, solve the issues that you know about, and power up the car properly. ---
**Author:** ![Teritary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71c47a/32.png) [@Teritary](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Teritary)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 2:34pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/3 "2024-09-26T14:34:17Z")
> [@AssyRequired](#): > > What exactly did you do here? > > Can you explain with a bit more detail/description of which wires you were connecting? There are specific locations the charger wires are supposed to go. If not, you can damage the charger and or the car systems. I plug the + of the charger on the +72V of the psdm and the - on the -72V of the psdm. > [@AssyRequired](#): > > This is also not a very good idea. Back feeding power into car electrical systems without knowing how everything works is a very good way to destroy hard to find and expensive components. > > Instead of trying all sorts of wildcard tricks “just to get it to light up”, I highly recommend getting to know the car systems first, solve the issues that you know about, and power up the car properly. I look at the this schematic to wire from the 12V battery to the psdm by the DC/DC converter plug ![2005 Charger to factory wires pin out](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/2X/5/57d3d86c9e31106d21c29893451a059efb68e00b.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 2:56pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/4 "2024-09-26T14:56:53Z")
> [@Teritary](#): > > I plug the + of the charger on the +72V of the psdm and the - on the -72V of the psdm. Ok, That is better. - What did you do with the green wire? - What did you do with the white wire? **Verify charger/charging** Do you have a meter? Place the Main Battery Disconnect Switch in the ON position. 1. With charger not plugged in, If you measure these two positions on the PSDM what do you get? 2. When Charger is plugged in, what does the CHARGER display show? ---
**Author:** ![Teritary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71c47a/32.png) [@Teritary](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Teritary)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 3:51pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/5 "2024-09-26T15:51:27Z")
> [@AssyRequired](#): > > What did you do with the green wire? I plug it to the J1 connector at the position J like it writen on the schematic. There is a pod connected to that position > [@AssyRequired](#): > > What did you do with the white wire? I plug it to the temperature sensor which normally works because it has 11k ohms > [@AssyRequired](#): > > With charger not plugged in, If you measure these two positions on the PSDM what do you get? I have 80 Volts > [@AssyRequired](#): > > When Charger is plugged in, what does the CHARGER display show? I don’t know and i can’t test at this moment ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 4:41pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/6 "2024-09-26T16:41:07Z")
**Charger** > I don’t know and i can’t test at this moment Ok, Come back with results when you are at the car next. ==== **DC Converter** Since you have the wiring diagram for the Surepower unit. I assume you fully checked it’s function? You measured for ~80 V on p1 and p12 and it had no output on p6 and p9? ==== **PSDM -** Where did you apply power to the PSDM to test the car systems? ---
**Author:** ![Teritary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71c47a/32.png) [@Teritary](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Teritary)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:10pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/7 "2024-09-26T18:10:13Z")
> [@AssyRequired](#): > > Since you have the wiring diagram for the Surepower unit. I assume you fully checked it’s function? > > You measured for ~80 V on p1 and p12 and it had no output on p6 and p9? yes, exactly > [@AssyRequired](#): > > Where did you apply power to the PSDM to test the car systems? The 72 Volts like this : ![Capture d’écran 2024-09-26 200438](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/d/0/d09b7131ffa20bc56ba17d10cdfca96632f6dc65.jpeg) And the 12V directly by the DC/DC converter plug ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/8 "2024-09-26T18:24:51Z")
I need some extended background. Where are you located? What is the history of this car? When was the last time it was working correctly? Are you the only one that has been working on this car? When is the next time you out at the car ---
**Author:** ![Teritary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71c47a/32.png) [@Teritary](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Teritary)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 8:07pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/9 "2024-09-26T20:07:38Z")
> [@AssyRequired](#): > > Where are you located? > What is the history of this car? > When was the last time it was working correctly? I’m from France and I have no idea of where the car from and the history. And I don’t know when was the last time it was working correctly. > [@AssyRequired](#): > > Are you the only one that has been working on this car? No and that’s a big problem because many pieces as been removed and I struggle with the manual I found to try to reassemble the car ---
**Author:** ![Teritary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71c47a/32.png) [@Teritary](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Teritary)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 8:13pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/10 "2024-09-26T20:13:03Z")
I will try to put some photos here of the condition of the car. There are a lot of cable not connected so maybe some are important. ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 8:18pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/11 "2024-09-26T20:18:26Z")
Yes- Attach some good clear pics of the dash assembly so I can have a look at what you are dealing with. > There are a lot of cable not connected so maybe some are important. They are ALL important. ---
**Author:** ![Teritary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71c47a/32.png) [@Teritary](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Teritary)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2024, 2:58pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/12 "2024-10-01T14:58:16Z")
![IMG_20241001_160405](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/3/6/3637d4b5486358a0e693aee333c783893da672aa.jpeg) ![IMG_20241001_160608](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/a/8/a88a091b950ae0b5e16177ddb9ecd9c768654b90.jpeg) ![IMG_20241001_160549](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/c/5/c5b5fef8788783f1f5968577e4405f45d544345e.jpeg) The charger is not actually connected but i will when i got more time ![IMG_20241001_160441](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/e/3/e3f74e6b94070124e677499ee9fc2afad8677f2c.jpeg) ![IMG_20241001_160441(1)](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/8/4/84666b521ef5404e67ba423423eae6802836a60f.jpeg) The arrow is pointing a green cable connected to the connector J1 at position J and it’s maybe the interlock like it’s show on the schematic below ![IMG_20241001_160541](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/4/1/41b5b24196009beee5f852a1752ae7adf8498d02.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2024, 4:23pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/13 "2024-10-02T16:23:36Z")
Ok, I get what is happening here with all of the orange wires and test switches. How long before the new DC Converter shows up? Is this your wiring? -or- did you get the car in this condition? First glance at you pics shows → Yes, there are several other wires that are not hooked up. I would not expect much to happen in the present state of the wiring. Let me look at the pictures closer and perhaps offer some help on where they are supposed to go. ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2024, 6:43pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/14 "2024-10-02T18:43:44Z")
![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/0/6/06f60b434669a56a56e052e85bc669b804a2ab7e.jpeg) **First item of note -** This whole thing here needs to be re-evaluated (or removed and wait for the new DC Converter). It is way too complex and over thought for what it should be for a bypass/test. I think you didn’t quite understand the wiring diagram. It is difficult for me to trace due to you only using one color of wire. = ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/0/b/0b62515d5046d9ef13423b7d79de5310b2246cbd.jpeg) **Second item of note -** Loose ring terminals 1, 2, and 3 should be Org/Bk, Org/Bk, and Org/Grn. They should go to the BOTTOM Lug connector on the right hand side of the PSDM with the big orange cable. Wire 4 looks like the Red/W wire and should go to the push on S6 tab. (not the A or B tab) ==== ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/9/6/9614403064f6251b27bf6c162eb6cb1fdd4a77dd.jpeg) **Third item of note -** Why does it look like your Main Contactor (Relay) is not hooked up? There should be two big orange cables going to one of the big bar/post tabs, one big cable going to the other big bar/post, and two little wires going to the coil. Locate those wires, verify they are the correct wires as per your wire diagram, and hook them up properly. The round gray cylinder in this pic looks like a relay associated with the heater option that may have been installed in this car. Ignore it for now. ===== ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/7/8/78a7fcdc97d8313d1611ffd2de3c874439df80c1.jpeg) Yes, I see this green wire. It does look like the interlock wire and needs to go to the green wire from your charger or _temporarily_ connected to a B+ source to deactivate the interlock and make the little yellow icon disappear off your dash display. # ===== Do NOT even think this car will operate with these systems bypassed in this way. This car is not ready to go. ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2024, 7:39pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/15 "2024-10-02T19:39:57Z")
Also note- What document are you using for the wire diagram? I can see several conflicts on that one page you posted. It appears you may be referencing a 2005 service manual/document that does not fully apply to your car. This will drive you crazy looking for wires that do not exist or the wrong color. ---
**Author:** ![Teritary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71c47a/32.png) [@Teritary](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Teritary)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 12:15pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/16 "2024-10-03T12:15:02Z")
> [@AssyRequired](#): > > How long before the new DC Converter shows up? I don’t know because it’s from US so there is some delay to come to France > [@AssyRequired](#): > > Is this your wiring? -or- did you get the car in this condition? it’s my wiring and i do it with the documentation of the DC converter > [@AssyRequired](#): > > Loose ring terminals 1, 2, and 3 should be Org/Bk, Org/Bk, and Org/Grn. They should go to the BOTTOM Lug connector on the right hand side of the PSDM with the big orange cable. I plug them > [@AssyRequired](#): > > Wire 4 looks like the Red/W wire and should go to the push on S6 tab. (not the A or B tab) The cable you show is orange but i see an red/white cable next to it so i plug it in the S6 tab > [@AssyRequired](#): > > Why does it look like your Main Contactor (Relay) is not hooked up? it was outside of the car so i put it here but i can’t find any wires around it > [@AssyRequired](#): > > Yes, I see this green wire. It does look like the interlock wire and needs to go to the green wire from your charger or _temporarily_ connected to a B+ source to deactivate the interlock and make the little yellow icon disappear off your dash display. when i plug a wire between the batt+ and the green wire there is nothing at all on the display. And, when i unplug it, the display work again and it show the charger inicator lamp on low contrast. > [@AssyRequired](#): > > What document are you using for the wire diagram? it’s a service manual of a 2007 GEM because i don’t find the service manual for the 2011 GEM > [@AssyRequired](#): > > This will drive you crazy looking for wires that do not exist or the wrong color. Yes, it’s already the case lol. ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 5:04pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/17 "2024-10-03T17:04:14Z")
> [@Teritary](#): > > when i plug a wire between the batt+ and the green wire there is nothing at all on the display. And, when i unplug it, the display work again and it show the charger inicator lamp on low contrast. Yes, that is exactly the response you should be getting from the green interlock wire. This observation is normal except for the display not being very bright (this may be another issue to address later). When the Green Interlock wire is disconnected, the car goes into “charge mode” and the screen becomes active. When in charge mode, the car will not respond to KeyON event. When the Green Interlock wire is attached to B+, the screen is blank(sleep mode) and the car is waiting for KeyON activity. Follow? === > it’s a service manual of a 2007 GEM because i don’t find the service manual for the 2011 GEM I saw your other post and sent a manual for 09 for your reference. Your 2007 is wrong judging by how it handed the handbrake switch. The manual may have not been updated when they made the wiring change in the 06 cars. ==== > [@AssyRequired](#): > > Why does it look like your Main Contactor (Relay) is not hooked up? > [@Teritary](#): > > it was outside of the car so i put it here but i can’t find any wires around it I would guess the previous tech was disturbed that this relay was not closing when the car was powered up and determined it as being non-op. So it was removed and all the cables connected together or fastened to other posts. Note that this relay will NOT close if the controller detects an error. This MC Relay needs to be re-installed before anything else can go forward. This pic should help. Locate the cables by following them backwards from their intended target. Example: start at the POS on the controller and follow it back to it’s other end. Detach from wherever it is now and attach it to the proper position on the MC. Some of the cables may still have their factory labels. Look for one marked MC+. That should be from B+. ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/8/0/80892093f7b1fb2db12faceb4af6c805ba3169ae.jpeg) The two MC coil control wires will be in a small split loom that branches off the Controller Harness. This harness is plugged in at J5 on the PSDM. ![PSDM Harness Conn J6](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/e/0/e002a0afa31f46202df6ef8d60185916afcb2095.jpeg) The break out of the MC branch should be very close to the J5 connector. Also- another hint is the Red/W wire that you just installed on S6 also comes from this same harness branch. Follow? ---
**Author:** ![Teritary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71c47a/32.png) [@Teritary](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Teritary)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 5:31pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/18 "2024-10-03T17:31:50Z")
> [@AssyRequired](#): > > When the Green Interlock wire is attached to B+, the screen is blank(sleep mode) and the car is waiting for KeyON activity. > > Follow? Ok I understand > [@AssyRequired](#): > > I saw your other post and sent a manual for 09 for your reference. Your 2007 is wrong judging by how it handed the handbrake switch. The manual may have not been updated when they made the wiring change in the 06 cars. yes, thank you > [@AssyRequired](#): > > This MC Relay needs to be re-installed before anything else can go forward. This pic should help. > > Locate the cables by following them backwards from their intended target. Example: start at the POS on the controller and follow it back to it’s other end. Detach from wherever it is now and attach it to the proper position on the MC. > > Some of the cables may still have their factory labels. Look for one marked MC+. That should be from B+. Ok, I will see > [@AssyRequired](#): > > the Red/W wire that you just installed on S6 also comes from this same harness branch. Yes, that’s it ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 5:43pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/19 "2024-10-03T17:43:47Z")
> [@Teritary](#): > > > [@AssyRequired](#): > > > > the Red/W wire that you just installed on S6 also comes from this same harness branch. > > Yes, that’s it OK, then you should be able to locate the orange and black wires that go to the MC Coil. **Background-** One of the safety checks the controller does is look at these wires to determine if there is a functioning relay attached. If coil is removed, It thinks “open coil” and errors out. You will never get past the boot routine. ---
**Author:** ![Teritary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71c47a/32.png) [@Teritary](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Teritary)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 11:59am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/charger-indicator-lamp-is-on-but-in-low-contrast/28383/20 "2024-10-04T11:59:59Z")
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