"Check charging system"

2018 offroad 51k miles original battery. Last couple of days on startup its been just a little slow compared to normal to fire up. This morning take it out of warm garage go on a hike in 24 degree weather and when i go to start it starts, but barely (no power) and the "Check charging system" light comes on. I turn it off, hit the button again and it starts and runs normally (no warning lights). To me this says go get battery tested, probably replaced and avoid bringing it in. Any other thoughts?

 

check your battery might be time to replace

 

Yup, new battery!

 

My rule about batteries is I change them every five years no matter what. Since I’ve been doing that for the last 20 years, I’ve never had a battery issue.

 

Yup, time for a new battery.

 

Battery is suspect, but at that age, should be replaced anyways.

 

I, for one, think the battery should be replaced

 

Your description of the behavior is confusing to me. If you saw the “Check charging system” message while the engine was running, then the truck thought the alternator was not producing the correct voltage.

On the other hand, if you saw the message when the ignition was on and the engine was NOT running, then that is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.

The battery produces about 12v and the alternator about 14v. It’s the alternator’s job to charge your battery and run the rest of your electrical an accessories when the engine is running. The battery’s primary purpose is to feed the starter motor, but it is also used to feed accessories while the engine is off.

What do you mean by “little slow compared to normal to fire up”? Do you mean the starter struggled to crank the engine or do you mean the starter had to crank the engine longer than normal before the engine started?

 

Test and probably replace battery. Then with known good battery, verify correct charging

 

good points/questions.
also, in some folk's mind; low mileage equates to a lack of wear. BUT, in terms of battery life,,,,, not so much, often the opposite. It means the battery has had to sit without charge for long periods of time, and/or been used in short trips, where the initial start demand is greater than time driven (to recharge).

 

Slow meaning it just did not fire as quickly as normal - very slight difference but my ear caught it and initially i thought maybe the/a injector was fouled, etc. The check engine light came on when initially started/running but very poorly and 0 power, matter of fact it died when i gave it a bit of fuel. Im pretty sure it is the battery (replaced this morning) as where I live in Idaho the summer heat cooks them in 4-6 years. Thanks for everyone s input.....

 

Some of us, myself included, subscribe to the philosophy of, "If it ain't broke, don't mess with it"; two cars back I had a "100-Month" Honda battery last two months shy of 10-years (yes, 118 months).

 

That does not sound like the battery. If the starter turns the engine over at normal speed, the battery is fine. It sounds like you got the check charging system message because the engine rpm was not high enough for the alternator to produce the normal voltage.

I suspect you have a minor fuel or ignition system issue. I’d probably live with it unless it continued to be an annoying enough to take it to a mechanic. If you still have a warranty, it’s a no brainer to take it back to the dealer.

 

If you are hearing the crank difference, time to replace it. I have an 18 as well and replaced mine last spring with an AGM. Better battery all around and will not leave you stranded with a dead cell failure.

 

I interpreted his answer as saying the starter cranked the engine at normal rpm, but it had to crank it longer before it started and then it ran rough. That is not evidence of an issue with the battery.

 

It sure will cause those symptoms - if the battery voltage drops low enough and does not recover quickly. Low voltage can cause all sorts of issues.

 

An engine will run just fine without a battery. Been there done that. The alternator is what provides electrical power to a running engine. The battery is just there to get the engine started, because the alternator can only provide power when rotating at a decent rpm.

 

lol, sure it will. Go ahead and try that with your 2020. I'll wait.

 

Huh? Charging and starting systems haven’t changed significantly my lifetime. It’s very stable technology. Do you think my 2020 doesn’t have a battery, an alternator, and a starter?