Check Charging System Acura (Meaning + Solution)
Your car is definitely an important belonging of yours. So, to keep it working effectively, you’ll need to run some frequent essential maintenance.
Some part of your car needs frequent check and diagnosis. One such part is the charging system. It helps keep the vehicle running adequately.
When your Acura car starts showing the Check Charging System message, it indicates a problem with the Charging System that needs urgent attention.
- What does this imply?
- How serious is it?
- What are the troubleshooting steps to take?
This article will answer all these questions and clarify everything you need to understand about the Check Charging System light.
If this interests you, read along as we provide clarity to this concept.
What Is the Charging System On Your Acura?
The charging system is present in every car, even though the configuration for each car may differ. Your Acura vehicle’s charging system is responsible for keeping your car battery charged.
Its purpose is to transfer electrical energy to the battery to keep the car and other accessories running.
It’s an important component that ensures the power needed to run the radio, lights, heater, and other electrical parts are available even when the engine is operating.
It works with the voltage regulator to recharge the battery when it’s low or drops in its charge. The battery will continue to recharge through the alternator and regulator when the car is operating.
What Does It Mean When the Check Charging System Light Is On?
As we’ve established above, the charging system keeps your car battery charged. If the ‘Check Charging System’ warning signal lights up, it signifies a problem with the charging/starting system.
The light indicates that your vehicle is now depending solely on the battery power.
If the light continues to show up, it could mean that your charging system has failed, so the battery won’t recharge when it runs down.
If your battery runs down and can’t recharge, you’ll be left with a dead battery. Therefore, it’s essential to find the problem source immediately to avoid complications.
What Are the Causes of the Problem?
The check charging system lights indicate a problem with the car charging/starting system. The problems usually arise when there’s an issue with the battery, the alternator, or the accumulator.
So when the light comes up, your vehicle is already battling with any of the above problems which can result in complete power loss.
Generally, the alternator is usually the cause of the Check Charging System light. It happens when the alternator cannot maintain the battery power while operating the vehicle.
The light informs the user to take immediate action so the battery won’t run down entirely.
Also, when the battery terminals corrode, the light will come up. Corrosion can happen when you keep the electrical components for a long time.
Other parts responsible for the problem are the drive belt, faulty computer system, and corroded connections.
How to Diagnose the Problem
When the check charging system light comes up, it usually denotes that you should take your vehicle to a mechanic or professional for immediate diagnosis.
If you’re confident in your DIY skills, you can use a voltage to check the alternator since it’s mostly the problem source. If the alternator has a low voltage, you should replace it.
If the problem persists, you can try to clean all the connections and ensure the battery clamps are correctly tightened.
It would help if you double-checked the alternator connections or wirings to provide no defect or burnt links between them. Suppose you suspect any defects, repair or replace the part accordingly.
You can also check the battery strength, drive belt condition, and other necessary parts mentioned above.
Generally, there’s no definite answer to what causes the charging system light to illuminate. So, the method of diagnosis will differ depending on the problem source.
We recommend you get a mechanic or professional that understands the technical know-how of the problem source.
Can You Drive When the Check Charging System Light Is On?
Generally, there’s a high chance your car will work when the Check Charging System light is on. However, driving without attending to the problem can leave you stranded because the battery might run down.
The car can also stop working anytime the battery fails, or the alternator becomes faulty. Hence, we recommend you don’t drive while the light is illuminated but consult a mechanic for diagnosis.