Acura Check Charging System [Meaning & Causes]

If you notice the check charging system light in your Acura, you might assume that it’s time to replace the alternator.

However, many Acuras are known to have this issue. Before you start searching for a new battery or alternator, let’s first determine the cause of the problem and explore ways to fix it.

Why Does Your Acura Say Check Charging System?

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If you see the “Check Charging System” warning light on your Acura, it could mean one of several things.

There could be a problem with the battery or alternator.
The check charging system light is off, but the battery is dead. It could be a bad alternator, but if you recently replaced it, there may be another cause.
Does the check charging system light stay on after replacing both parts? Your car might have been damaged during installation, so take it back to the shop for another look at what went wrong.

What Causes Charging System Problems on Acura?

Car owners who have experienced the Acura charging system problem may want to do a little troubleshooting before heading to the auto shop.

It’s not uncommon for something other than the battery or alternator to be at fault, so it’s worth checking that these two parts are fine.

1. Bad Alternator:

The alternator is responsible for generating electricity when your car starts up and runs its electrical components like lights and ignition system.

If your alternator isn’t working properly, you might notice that your headlights dim when you accelerate quickly or that they won’t come on at all when you try starting your car. You could also see a warning light on your dashboard indicating an issue with charging voltage levels in your vehicle’s electrical system.

Related Article: Acura MDX B1 Service Explained

2. Bad Battery:

A dead battery can cause similar problems as those caused by a bad alternator; if this happens frequently enough (or at all), it could mean it’s time for new batteries altogether.

How Do You Fix Check Charging System Problem on Acura?

Replace the alternator. Make sure you have a compatible alternator for your car, as it must meet or exceed the original specifications of your vehicle to work properly. You can find this information in your owner’s manual, or simply by searching on Google. If you’re replacing an old unit that doesn’t appear to be working correctly (such as one that makes strange noises), chances are good that it has failed completely and needs to be replaced with a new part.
Replace the battery. If your car is still running poorly after replacing its alternator, it could be because one of its batteries is dead; if so then try replacing just one of them at first rather than both at once since doing so might solve some problems while exacerbating others.

Signs of an Acura Bad Alternator

Check the alternator belt.
Check the alternator pulley.
Check the battery terminals.
Measure the voltage of your battery with a multimeter. The voltage should be around 12 volts, with at least 10 volts coming from each terminal when your car is running, and between 13 and 14 volts when it’s off. If you don’t get these readings, you likely have a bad alternator or battery connection—or both.

Can Cleaning an Alternator Make it Work Again?

If you clean your car’s alternator, it might work for a little while or even one full charge. However, in most cases, cleaning the alternator is not a permanent solution if the alternator is actually dead.

However, you may just have some gunk stuck to the alternator and not actually have a problem with it at all. In this case, your alternator will work perfectly fine. If you’re sure that your vehicle’s charging system needs replacing, don’t wait too long to get it replaced.

My Overall Thoughts

There are plenty of things that can cause your Acura to have a check charging system light on. The good news is that it’s usually not a major issue and can be fixed quickly with some common-sense troubleshooting.

It may just be a bad battery or dirty alternator. These are the first places you will need to check in order to make sure that neither of these are the problem. Sometimes all it takes is to clean either of the two but sometimes it will mean replacing one or both.