Diagnosing Alternator Problems - Service Charging System Message Fix

Diagnosing Alternator Problems. Service Charging System Fix. How to Test an Alternator. How to locate and fix problems with your charging system. Bad Alternator Symptoms. Battery light on dash fix. How to fix a belt that came off. How to figure out why a belt would come off.

[@tatchik77]

Thanks, this video was very helpful & to the point! Going to go check battery voltage, belt & pulleys now...

[@backyardchevy328]

Thank you🙂 hope ur able to figure out the issue..good luck

[@kenishareneee]

My steering wheel locked up while driving it was hard really turning into a parking lot battery light came on and it started saying recharging battery what I need to do

[@infin8007]

is the voltage regulator internal or external on the alternator? how often do they go bad vs the alternator

[@backyardchevy328]

The voltage regulator is internal..in my experience its usually the alternator internals that wear out first before the regulator itself, but it does happen.

[@UnKind_Debt93]

I have a 2016 impala limited old body style i replaced the battery with a new one and i still get this message and the alternator is good i got it tested

[@backyardchevy328]

How about the battery terminals have u cleaned em and used sandpaper or battery brush on it? Have u checked the voltage while its running?

[@aquafinaventura6317]

What would battery saver active mean? Used to come on before and my blower would shut off. Fixed the belt and water pump and it started up since then but now it's having issues again. I feel its the alternator but idk. Lights come on and I have a new battery and replaced the terminals.

[@backyardchevy328]

It means that ur vehicles charging system is malfunctioning, so either the alternator is not working properly/problem with accessory belt..so right now ur most likely running on just the battery...and it means unnecessary systems are being shut off to keep ur battery saving as much battery as possible..does ur display show battery voltage? If its at 13 or below the charging system is not operating

[@aquafinaventura6317]

Sometimes there is a whirring sound. Its not loud but low. My display doesn't show the amps nor do I have the tool to check. We did replace the serpentine belt recently.

[@backyardchevy328]

@@aquafinaventura6317 do u happen to have a multimeter or someone u know that has one? Just connect each lead to the battery measuring voltage

[@aquafinaventura6317]

@@backyardchevy328 yes. He'll be bringing it tomorrow

[@backyardchevy328]

@@aquafinaventura6317 sounds good..i would avoid driving it that way in the meantime, cause if its not charging the vehicle will shut off once the battery discharges if it does have a charging problem.

[@ezra4374]

Thank you

[@backyardchevy328]

Thank you for the support🙂

[@antionettehudson7751]

I have a 2009 Chevy Impala and I just replaced the batter and starter My battery light is on. I didn’t have power until I replace the battery. I just checked my pulleys and they are all locked and not spinning. Do I need to replace the Alternator, Belts, or water pump?

[@backyardchevy328]

Is the engine running but the pulleys arent spinning? Is the belt on and tight and not torn?

[@miarangel6800]

Hey man I have message on the cluster that says battery not charging but the car doesn't die and turns on every single time. What do you think it can be ?

[@backyardchevy328]

Have u checked the battery voltage while its running? It could be that the alternator is starting to go bad and maybe its low but still high enough to keep it running, with a good battery id alternator isnt charging itll still drive the car but little by little itll start to die out.

[@miarangel6800]

@@backyardchevy328 I have not . I'll stop by harbor frieght today to pick up a volt meter. At what voltage does it need to be on ? And thanks again man .

[@backyardchevy328]

@@miarangel6800 around 14volts...non charging would be in the 12 to low 13volts

[@miarangel6800]

@@backyardchevy328 just checked the volts with the truck off was 12.5 and with the truck on was 14.6 but the damn light keeps flashing and message about battery not charging . Lol

[@backyardchevy328]

@@miarangel6800 i would probably have the battery tested..it may have good voltage but maybe the amps are low and its causing light to illuminate

[@zequihernandez4751]

2007 Chevy equinox LS I replaced alternator got a new battery but drains the battery

[@backyardchevy328]

While driving? Or is it overnight that it drains it? If its overnight it probably has a parasitic draw where somethings drawing current draining the battery if nothing is being left on that is...if its while driiving then youll need to run a few tests..which i should make a video on, cause explaining how to perform em will probably be confusing

[@fridayugiagbe4513]

Please help my 1999 Toyota Avalon having intermittent issue charging system battery light is not on the voltage keep dropping from 14 voltage to 13 voltage to 12 voltage what could be the cause ground wire is ok connection are clean and tight

[@backyardchevy328]

Could be an issue with the battery..if the battery is bad or has a damaged cell it could affect the charging voltage..or could be the alternator going bad as well...i would have the battery tested first

[@fridayugiagbe4513]

@@backyardchevy328 I think battery good, I borrow battery from another car to the car same voltage keep dropping I just bought the alternator few months ago voltage test ground side 0.2 voltage from the alternator B post to battery + 0.2, 0.3, 0.1 voltage not stable reading that way, then voltage on the alternator B post and Alternator casing still dropping 14. 2Voltage 13.99, 13.98 it keep dropping the car is running same way I tested it on the battery terminals 14. Downward I don't know what is really wrong, with that i can't drive far with this symptom

[@backyardchevy328]

@@fridayugiagbe4513 so the voltage is good if u test the alternator from the battery and casing..but if u test it from alternator to battery negative ur not getting any readings? I would try cleaning the battery posts..and the ground cable on both ends..where it grounds to..make sure theyre clean and tight

[@mathewgarza202]

Same issue crank pulley is locked won't turn even with a rachet

[@backyardchevy328]

The water pump pulley or the actual crank pulley? If its the crank pulley and its not a manual(thats in gear) that could a engine problem

[@sade266100]

So with the car not running the belt should still be able to move? And the pulleys?

[@backyardchevy328]

Well the engine has a main pulley on the front that drives every other pulley with the belt, when the engine is turned on..but with the engine off, the belt should be tight enough to not be able to allow u to spin any pulley

[@sade266100]

@@backyardchevy328 thank you so much. My battery is good, the belt looks good. I tried turning the pulley while the car was off but no movement but I'll try with the cart on and if that's ok I'll have someone else check the alternator. Thank you so much

[@backyardchevy328]

@@sade266100 thats great! Process of elimination..yea if its running and the voltage is anything less than 13..its probably gonna end up being that alternator

[@chrispratt498]

Dude, you’re awesome! Lol

[@backyardchevy328]

Why thank you lol🙂 really appreciate it

[@hasdrubalsosamarquez5430]

@@backyardchevy328 Agreed! Gonna build this channel. I think you'd do good as a Podcast

[@BATTRA_3AM]

So could the alternater be the reason why my truck shuts off randomly on its own sometimes?

[@CDelly]

Did you figure it out?

[@ragnorockcookie2868]

Yeah but what should you do if the alternator is starting to smoke

[@backyardchevy328]

Definitely replace it..thats an indication that the assembly is starting to wanna seize up

[@ragnorockcookie2868]

@@backyardchevy328 thanks aww. I was Uber driving to save up money but my damn thing started to fail but hay I got a job interview for welding so hopefully I can finally save up money to buy myself a new truck but damnit it suck these happens. Wish me luck

[@backyardchevy328]

@@ragnorockcookie2868 good luck on ur interview🙂👍, yea unfortunately things happen at the worst time

[@Massivestan]

My vehicles is also implying a "servicing battery charging system. I think the battery is affected due to the COLD weather. So my car won't start on. What should I do?

[@backyardchevy328]

Yea, in cold weather the starter requires higher cranking amps to get it to spin and if the battery is weaker or older it may not spin it fast enough..does it turn on if u jump start it? I would have the battery tested and check the battery voltage when its running to make sure that the alternator is working properly to charge the battery

[@Massivestan]

@@backyardchevy328 No it doesn't turn on after I tried to jump start it. I think I should buy a new battery. What do you think?

[@backyardchevy328]

@@Massivestan u can have ur battery tested, just to be sure..if it tests bad then yes replace it..if not it could of just got really discharged by say the alternator not working..or maybe even the starters bad

[@Massivestan]

@@backyardchevy328 Ok I will take it to the mechanic to have the battery tested. Thank you. I don't know how I'm gonna take my car to the mechanic though. Do you know any cheap way to do that, or any towing company?

[@backyardchevy328]

@@Massivestan u could just take the battery itself and at least if u know u got a bad battery or drained, u can have it charged or replaced..then it should allow u to turn on car if its that causing the no start...then if u still got charging issue itll allow u to at least get it there

[@ahapodcast7091]

New battery,alternator, and starter and it’s still not charging. I checked all connections are good. I have the same car I just don’t know what else to do

[@csr_fitnessandlife]

You might have a faulty battery current sensor. I did the same on my truck, changed out everything, then replaced that sensor, everything was good.

[@OldStyleGarage]

​@@csr_fitnessandlifewhere is this sensor I'm having this issue I'm stranded LOL first I've heard of this sensor Terminal L low Voltage

[@HalifaxHercules]

Could also be a Serpentine Belt. That's what happened to me recently.

[@OldStyleGarage]

@@HalifaxHercules 2nd this

[@andreanthony818]

my car wont star at all its a 2009 chevy impala same issue it just wont start up when i turn the key

[@backyardchevy328]

Are ur headlights and everything else coming on bright? Does it click or do anything when u try and crank it?

[@kaylencyprian717]

@@backyardchevy328 mines click please help!

[@backyardchevy328]

@@kaylencyprian717 if u turn on ur headlights are they on and steady or do they flicker and seem dim? If they're bright and strong..and getting a click, u might have a dirty or loose battery connection not sending enough amps to ur starter..if the battery terminals are clean and tight..i would either have the battery tested...or jump start it and have it tested at maybe an autozone or an auto parts store that will do it for u

[@kaylencyprian717]

@@backyardchevy328 I tried jumping it but it didn’t work.. also while jumping it ... a message “ service charging system “ popped up what that mean?

[@backyardchevy328]

@@kaylencyprian717 means its not charging the battery properly..but if it was while jumpstarting its because it was charging but not strong enough as it should..thats normal since ur not actually running and charging with ur own car..do ur headlights turn on bright? If u have a meter to check battery voltage itd be the best thing to find out how charged ur battery is.. If ur headlights are bright and strong u might have a bad starter..if theyre dim or everything goes dim when u turn key to crank ur battery might be bad and should have it tested

[@hasdrubalsosamarquez5430]

🤯 Is it possible that my power steering fluid can ruin my alternator (gunk) along with lubricating my serpentine to create two problems at the same time? A slippery belt and a gunked up alternator? As a result my battery was drained 😅🤦🏻‍♂️ My Impala needed a long overdue power steering pump fix and I assume that the fluid from the power steering reservoir seeped onto the belt.... The only problem here (as I conclude) is that the gunk resembles oil 🤔

[@toonatp]

I swapped the batter and alternator and it’s still on wtf

[@backyardchevy328]

Did u happen to check if the alternator is charging? To verify that the alternator is receiving signal from the ecu to turn on..also the charging voltage? I would also check to make sure the wire to the battery/alternator/starter isnt damaged..and the battery connection make sure theyre clean and tight

[@HalifaxHercules]

Sometimes, a Charging System Malfunction error is not a result of bad battery or alternator. In fact, I had a Charging System Malfunction error with my 2016 Mazda CX-3 AWD vehicle,. The good news is that it wasn't a battery or alternator problem. It was a Serpentine Belt which cracked.

[@eddieennisbaysal27]

this is really not helping everybody knows to check that tell me something if everything is running good with new alternator and still not charging then what

[@dieseldawg7132]

Did you hear the belt dragging ? Any thing out of the ordinary

[@backyardchevy328]

Usually you get a scraping noise then added to that metal clicking noises eventually becoming that.

[@dieseldawg7132]

@@backyardchevy328 sounds good usually I can see a belt wobble but I had never ran into a charging issue due to a water pump but thank you for theninformation

[@backyardchevy328]

@@dieseldawg7132 well the charging issue was cause the belt flew off..cause the water pump seized up

[@cloutmanq8652]

So itd was a bad pulley ??

[@backyardchevy328]

Ended up being the water pump that seized up and wouldn't spin so it knocked the belt out

[@cloutmanq8652]

Could be mine too had look at the belt did look like a pulley wasn’t spinning

[@backyardchevy328]

@@cloutmanq8652 yea then it could be a similar issue, i have a video on the replacement as well in case it is

[@qk5574]

I fucking love you