mlara1129
Dedicated LVC Member
*EDIT: Just realized how effin long this thing is. Here's an abstract lol if you think you can help please read the book i wrote below for detailed info:
Been having problems with my "charging system." Alternator was working fine (14.5volts) Checked connections, light still on. Changed alternator, Light still coming on. No noticeable affect on drive-ability. Battery seems to be fine, doesn't loose charge. Car hasn't just died on me or anything like the other cases that were posted before.
Hey guys,
Need some help.
I've been battling the "check charging system" message for a few weeks now and I can't get the issue resolved. Read a few threads, but haven't found a solution to my specific problem.
It all started, when I got my motor mounts replaced. No issues whatsoever before this.
(Im not very knowledgeable on electrical systems so forgive me if i mess up the language) So the Mechanic checked the alternator output, it was 14 point something with the engine running, I read that should be fine. I THINK he checked the battery and everything was fine. The battery was replaced in 2009 with a new Motorcraft unit.
(On a side note, we found some "unexplained" liquid in the engine bay, next to the windshield wiper fluid reservoir, and it had dripped along the underside of the car, probably from driving. Light brownish in color. Found a little bit of leaking from the upper radiator hose, but at the rate it was leaking, i dont think it could have been the same liquid we found next to the reservoir and underneath the car. Not sure if its related to the problem at hand, but i thought i should mention)
So he found nothing wrong. I told him i would drive it for another week and see if anything changes. No noticeable changes. All electronics worked fined. Everything was asusual, minus the damn error message of course.
Took it back the next week. He did a thorough check of all the connections, and checked the alt. again, and everything looked fine.
***Decided to change the alternator to see if that put the light out. Bought a higher amperage alternator. 150 amps supposedly. Remanufactured. Don't know the brand, got it from ebay. Got it put in, and the light was out. The only thing was there, was a message asking me to apply the parking brake. Applied it and all was fine.
Left the shop and a few minutes later the "check charging system" message came back on. Went out soon after. Then several messages began to flash. Check left tail lamp, then check right tail lamp, and something else(can't remember). Then they all went out, even the check charging system. Drove home, about another 8 miles with everything good. Later that night, turn the car on, and the f*cking message comes back on. I dont know if it was just me, but the lights on the dash seemed a bit dimmer. Checked the dimmer and it was all the way up.
Sunday morning, turn the car on, message is still on. Left home, and on my drive back to school (about 75 miles), about half way, the message went out. As i got off the highway and back into the city, the light came back on.
Went out for a drive just now, and the light was still on, but as i picked up some speed around 50mph, the light went out. Few minutes later came back on. Tried different speeds and nothing, still on.
The alternator came from a "top rated seller," with a year warranty, so i don't think i got ripped off. But Prob not a smart buy anyway.
Been having problems with my "charging system." Alternator was working fine (14.5volts) Checked connections, light still on. Changed alternator, Light still coming on. No noticeable affect on drive-ability. Battery seems to be fine, doesn't loose charge. Car hasn't just died on me or anything like the other cases that were posted before.
Hey guys,
Need some help.
I've been battling the "check charging system" message for a few weeks now and I can't get the issue resolved. Read a few threads, but haven't found a solution to my specific problem.
It all started, when I got my motor mounts replaced. No issues whatsoever before this.
(Im not very knowledgeable on electrical systems so forgive me if i mess up the language) So the Mechanic checked the alternator output, it was 14 point something with the engine running, I read that should be fine. I THINK he checked the battery and everything was fine. The battery was replaced in 2009 with a new Motorcraft unit.
(On a side note, we found some "unexplained" liquid in the engine bay, next to the windshield wiper fluid reservoir, and it had dripped along the underside of the car, probably from driving. Light brownish in color. Found a little bit of leaking from the upper radiator hose, but at the rate it was leaking, i dont think it could have been the same liquid we found next to the reservoir and underneath the car. Not sure if its related to the problem at hand, but i thought i should mention)
So he found nothing wrong. I told him i would drive it for another week and see if anything changes. No noticeable changes. All electronics worked fined. Everything was asusual, minus the damn error message of course.
Took it back the next week. He did a thorough check of all the connections, and checked the alt. again, and everything looked fine.
***Decided to change the alternator to see if that put the light out. Bought a higher amperage alternator. 150 amps supposedly. Remanufactured. Don't know the brand, got it from ebay. Got it put in, and the light was out. The only thing was there, was a message asking me to apply the parking brake. Applied it and all was fine.
Left the shop and a few minutes later the "check charging system" message came back on. Went out soon after. Then several messages began to flash. Check left tail lamp, then check right tail lamp, and something else(can't remember). Then they all went out, even the check charging system. Drove home, about another 8 miles with everything good. Later that night, turn the car on, and the f*cking message comes back on. I dont know if it was just me, but the lights on the dash seemed a bit dimmer. Checked the dimmer and it was all the way up.
Sunday morning, turn the car on, message is still on. Left home, and on my drive back to school (about 75 miles), about half way, the message went out. As i got off the highway and back into the city, the light came back on.
Went out for a drive just now, and the light was still on, but as i picked up some speed around 50mph, the light went out. Few minutes later came back on. Tried different speeds and nothing, still on.
The alternator came from a "top rated seller," with a year warranty, so i don't think i got ripped off. But Prob not a smart buy anyway.
Can't wait to color-match my lips and grille!
