grrrrrrr check charging system

[imp]

Around here, most common-name auto parts chains have a lifetime warranty on alternators, so I suspect they are replacing diodes in their reman. process also.

I usually replace alt. bearings if I acquire a l00K vehicle just as a matter of course, but this time bought a reman; the price shocked me: $209! imp

 

[Ronin8002]

So it seems there's a pinpoint test available for this very problem on Alldata...essentially it's this:

1: Check connections at alternator/battery

if connections are good:

2: locate the fusible links (inline with the smaller guage wires that feed to the post under the cover of the fuse box next to the battery). With engine running, wiggle them around to see if you can duplicate the problem. If you can, then repair/replace fusible links.

If wiggling the fusible links does not duplicate the problem:

3: With key off, run a 15A fused wire directly from the Orange/Blue wire at the Alt harness to the positive terminal of the battery. If check charging system warning flashes, replace alternator. If it does not, check for looseness in the connection from the alternator to battery, particularly the orange/blue wire.

So I'm going to try this out over the weekend and see if it helps.

 

[waskly]

So it seems there's a pinpoint test available for this very problem on Alldata...essentially it's this:

1: Check connections at alternator/battery

if connections are good:

2: locate the fusible links (inline with the smaller guage wires that feed to the post under the cover of the fuse box next to the battery). With engine running, wiggle them around to see if you can duplicate the problem. If you can, then repair/replace fusible links.

If wiggling the fusible links does not duplicate the problem:

3: With key off, run a 15A fused wire directly from the Orange/Blue wire at the Alt harness to the positive terminal of the battery. If check charging system warning flashes, replace alternator. If it does not, check for looseness in the connection from the alternator to battery, particularly the orange/blue wire.

So I'm going to try this out over the weekend and see if it helps.

i got a better one for you.

I Circuit (LG/RD)

The I (LG/RD) is used to turn on the voltage regulator. This circuit is powered by the PCM after the engine is started. This circuit is also used by the PCM to determine whether or not to send a message over the CAN communication link to the instrument cluster to turn the charging system warning indicator on if there is a fault in the charging system operation.

so if that is good, its pcm or ic.

we know one thing is definite, the alternator charges, so the i circuit is good since it starts charging. also since it raises battery voltage, fuse links are good. i would just check pins at the alternator wiggle the connector wires see if it pops the light,

 

[ndn man]

charging system warning lite

I hv a 02 ex...hv had the usual problems...now my check charging lite came on n i had alternator checked...all good...battery is 4 months old...replaced serpentine n idler pulley n lite went out....good for 2 days...now its back on...but goes out when i get rpms above 2000...any ideas

 

[joejv4]

I had a really sticky one with the charging system, after a batter and two alternators didn't fix it, I did some deep inspections and founc that the fusable link off the + side of the battery was intermittantly connected because moisture, etc got up under the shrinktube they put on it at the factory had corroded it. it was intermittant making the connection and breaking it - this was the cause for the check charging system - this needs to be soomething you check if all of the other usual suspects have proven not to be the culprit.

 

[rlgdguy]

Check charging system when pulling out into traffic

My "Check charging system" light flickers and the warning alarm/beep only comes on when pulling out into traffic from a dead stop, like from a shopping plaza or something like that. I'll have to go check those fuse able links. At least I have a place to start now, thanks all!

 

[Breckenridge]

Here's my "check charging system" warning story: Bought the 2005 Explorer Sept. 2014. Bad battery, so bought a new one. A few months later, bought a new alternator. For for the last year, the warning light and beep come on, no pattern except that it started out only occasionally, gradually sounded more and more often, but with no pattern. On and off once, twice, then good for a few minutes, then again. Gradually, it got to 35 times or more just going a half mile. So I take it to a repair shop, they run it, hook it to diagnotics, they can't get the warning to come on. I pick up the car (no $$ charge), it runs without a beep for about 3 months, then the beep on and off starts again, gradually sounding more often. This time I take it to a Ford dealer.service place, they drive it some, hook it up to diagnostics, and it never sounded for them, either. They charge me $100 for hooking up to diagnostics. I get the Explorer again, and it drives without a beep for about a month or so, then starts beeping again, gradually sounding more often. I wait until it sounds off and on 100s of times an hour, just sporadically, no particular pattern. I take it to the first auto repair place, they drive it a while, hook it up to diagnostics, find nothing. I get the Explorer back this evening, and it didn't make a beep all the way home. I could live with the warning light, no big deal. But the beep lasts 1 full second, and it is LOUD! It's a conversation stopper. You can hear it over the radio no matter how loud the radio is. Nobody will ride in my car anymore because they can't stand it. I cannot believe nobody on this planet knows what the problem is. Ford has invented a machine that they don't know how to repair with problems they don't know how to figure out. Is there anyone out there who knows what's going on?