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Charging System

You need to look on the dash to see if your theft light is active. The system will let you crank it a few times until it locks out the crank signal. You may need to try another key if...

This may be a sign of a failing voltage regulator. As you know, the alternator is responsible for charging the battery while the engine runs by generating amperage and recharging the battery while the engine turns the alternator. The voltage...

Hello, thank you for writing in. It certainly sounds like the vehicle is losing electrical power, which is an almost definite sign that the alternator has failed. It is solely responsible for providing electrical power to the vehicle while driving....

This may be a sign of a weak battery, a failing voltage regulator or failing alternator. As you may know, the alternator is responsible for charging the battery while the engine runs by generating amperage and recharging the battery while...

Thanks for writing in about your 1994 Buick Roadmaster. There are many things that can cause a no start condition. You may want to have this thoroughly looked at in person by a professional before moving forward with any other...

Hi there. From the description you have given, the charging system needs to be inspected. First, the battery needs to be charged (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-recharge-a-car-battery) and load-tested. Assuming the battery tests good. The battery terminals are clean and tight (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-clean-battery-terminal-connections-on-a-car). From what...

What you describe sounds like a charging system failure. If the alternator isn't working, the car can run on the battery for a period of time, until the battery voltage gets below a certain point, usually around 10.5 volts. After...

This may be a sign of a weak battery, a failing voltage regulator or failing alternator. As you may know, the alternator is responsible for charging the battery while the engine runs by generating amperage and recharging the battery while...

The most common cause for the charging system light coming on is going to be the alternator. The battery is going dead due to the charging system is not recharging it and battery will go dead. In order to properly...

This may be a sign of a weak battery, a failing voltage regulator or failing alternator. As you may know, the alternator is responsible for charging the battery while the engine runs by generating amperage and recharging the battery while...

Hello, thank you for writing in. The battery light and brake light often illuminate together when your alternator has failed. You can verify this easily by scanning for diagnostic codes. These are codes that pertain to the warning lights, and...

With the steering wheel being hard to turn, this vehicle should not be driven until the issue is fixed as it presents a safety hazard. The most common cause of the steering wheel being hard to turn (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/power-steering-pump-replacement) is the...

It is possible that you have a blown the fuse for the power windows. If it is possible for you to easily replace this fuse, it will be shown in the owner's manual of your vehicle. If you are uncomfortable...

It could be that you bought a bad alternator. There are a lot of companies that are rebuilding them that don't do a consistently good job. But if you bought your alternator from Honda it should be OK. The alternator...

If you lost power steering and then lost power to the engine you may have broken the alternator and power steering belt. Your charging system light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-light-is-on-inspection) should of come on before the battery went dead. (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-is-dead-inspection) You should first...

The bearing or brushes in your alternator are likely going out. You could also have another issue in your belt drive system causing the noise and lack of charging. A visual inspection of the drive system, a stethoscope to listen...

This may be a sign of a weak battery, a failing voltage regulator or failing alternator. As you may know, the alternator is responsible for charging the battery while the engine runs by generating amperage and recharging the battery while...

Hi, thanks for writing in. I'd be happy to provide my insight. This kind of problem may be caused by the alternator not charging at all (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-alternator). The charging system should be tested and checked first to make sure a...

Hi There, This may be a sign of a weak battery, a failing voltage regulator or failing alternator. The alternator is responsible for charging the battery while the engine runs by generating amperage and recharging the battery while the engine...

Hi there. There is a possibility that your alternator or charging system may have experienced a failure. In the case of a charging system failure, the battery's charge cannot be kept and the battery drains during vehicle operation. Once the...