Check charging system message

[EF300]

So out of nowhere I got a check charging system now message on the dash.

It happened almost every time I stopped at a light and the car was idling, 3 times total.

Once I rev the motor the warning goes away. Anyone else deals with this. Prolly an alternator I guess.

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[cking]

usually means one diode is blown in the alternator, or there is a large current draw somewhere. Does the battery go dead if you don't run in about 4 days. Turn all accessories off at idle and see the message goes away. Then turn on things like high beam lights, AC on max and see if comes back. Then take volt meter and check voltage between idle and 2000 rpm with everything on. It should stay over 14 volts.

 

[Hack]

Dealer

 

[EF300]

usually means one diode is blown in the alternator, or there is a large current draw somewhere. Does the battery go dead if you don't run in about 4 days. Turn all accessories off at idle and see the message goes away. Then turn on things like high beam lights, AC on max and see if comes back. Then take volt meter and check voltage between idle and 2000 rpm with everything on. It should stay over 14 volts.

I didn't drive it today so I will check and see if its dead when I get home. I saw the voltage on the DIC fluctuating between 12.6V and 13.7V. As I recall it had previously been just over 14V. I will be dropping it off at the dealer tonight hopefully.

Thanks for the input

 

[cking]

That's what it is the low voltage proves, you get new alternator, try talk them into a new battery too.

 

[EF300]

That's what it is the low voltage proves, you get new alternator, try talk them into a new battery too.

Yeah so probably not a great idea to drive it

 

[Demonic]

Yeah so probably not a great idea to drive it

Heh, reminds me of one time I was driving my E46 bmw and the alternator hadn't been charging the battery, so while driving the car was running entirely on battery power. At 40 mph on the street everything shut down but I was close enough to an Autozone that with no power steering, no brake boost, completely dead car I was able to coast down the street a bit more into the Autozone parking lot and pull the hand brake. Will never forget that moment haha. Bought a new battery and put it in just so I could get back home.

 

[cking]

If you run nothing it will probably get you to the dealer, if it starts.

 

[EF300]

I was able to drive it to the dealer. The voltage in my DIC was 14.2 volts. I did not see the warning happened but I still dropped it off. The warning occurred multiple times when I drove it last.

 

[EF300]

So the dealer changed the PCM. Left everything else alone. They said they tested the alternator and it passed. Picked up the car today and in 45 mins started getting "service charging system now " message.

Well back it goes tomorrow.

Is it possible for a bad alternator diode to go unnoticed during an alternator function test ?

 

[jtn83]

I had this issue. Car drove fine, so I dealt with it for a few weeks. When I finally took it in, the dealer had the car for 3 weeks. Had to reprogram the PCM and then it wouldn’t even start. Ended up flying out techs from ford to diagnose and eventually replace the BCM and reprogram all the other modules.

 

[cking]

monitor you voltage you could have loose connection in alternator. I don't thing any processor can control the output voltage. See if a rough road causes it.

 

[jtn83]

Sorry, reread this—I had a different issue. Mine was “starting system failure”

 

[Bink]

I found a thread via search!!

Thought I would revive this since I saw this "Service Charging System Now" message while driving around yesterday. Thought for sure the alternator was failing, as the voltage was fluctuating between 11.3 and 11.9 volts (thanks to Ford for the ability to see the voltage, instead of just a light). Before taking it to the dealer, I checked the various connections under the hood and discovered the positive connection into the fuse box was loose. Bought a adjustable wrench and tightened it, the warning went away and the voltage was back up to a steady 14 volts.

Thought I would post just in case anyone else has this issue and can save a trip to the dealer.

Also, at least for me, one more thing to check every time I fill up.

 

[altjx]

Looks like I'll be needing a new alternator as well. But I'll definetely check under the hood to see if any cables are loose. This only happens to me when I get higher in the RPMs. Can't imagine that cables would get loose only temporarily for me unfortunately. :(

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