Check Charging System Warning

[Tassha]

Im a 2013 Explorer owner, it’s new to me and I have the “check charging system” warning light on yet when started the volts increase.
I also have multiple bearings and the catalytic converter going out..
Any cost effective advice is appreciated.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Check the voltage with a multimeter while it's running.

 

[Tassha]

They did, the volts increase while running.

 

[BrooklynBay]

What is the actual voltage?

 

[peterk9]

Im a 2013 Explorer owner, it’s new to me and I have the “check charging system” warning light on yet when started the volts increase.
I also have multiple bearings and the catalytic converter going out..
Any cost effective advice is appreciated.

Welcome to the Forum.
I think that it could be that your alternator is going bad if the battery checks out.

Peter

 

[stuarto]

If you have some familiarity with ODB2 and can run forscan then you can see the alternator current when the engine is running. This is a good place to start to diagnose the alternator.

Before that though, start with the basics...have you got clean terminals on the battery? Have you got a clean terminals off the alternator - this is a pig to get to see properly. Best to jack up the right side and take a look from underneath. If you have trailer package, you'll need to remove the air scoop first which is just 3 bolts which are hand twist

 

[Alex_D]

I had the same issue and found out that the belt(s) broke off my alternator. The repairs ended up costing me $500+ at my local Ford dealership though. I guess it was due to happen to my 2013 Sport.