In the 2013 Honda Accord, you may not see an actual alert that says “Check Charge System,” but if you see a red battery on your car’s instrument panel, it means the same thing. You’ve likely got a problem with your battery or your alternator, so you need to head to a mechanic to get things checked out or risk sudden power loss.
Your 2013 Honda Accord may not be an electric vehicle (EV), but that doesn’t mean it can operate without power. Under normal conditions, your Accord’s battery supplies all the charge needed to start your car and run some basic systems, then your alternator charges it back up as you drive. However, if there’s an issue with this process, your car will warn you with an alert. If you don’t head to a mechanic right away, you could wind up stranded with a dead battery, or worse, you could lose power while driving.
To prevent these dangerous situations, we’ve created this car repair
guide to help you understand what might be causing your Accord’s system issue, and how to get it fixed quickly. Honda Accord check charge system: what does it mean?
An illuminated red battery has replaced the “Check Charge System” light on a 2013 Honda Accord, but both alerts mean the same thing: they warn you that you’ve got a problem with your Accord’s charging system. It may be tempting to look straight to your battery as the culprit, but your vehicle’s charging system is actually made up of several components, any one or more of which may be causing your issue.
No matter what’s causing the issue, if you see that red battery on your instrument panel, you’re likely driving on borrowed time, so it's important you get to a mechanic as soon as possible.
Common causes of charging system problems
So, if you can’t be guaranteed it’s your battery causing your charging issues, what should you be looking at? Here are the most common reasons for this particular warning light to trigger in your 2013 Honda Accord.
Bad alternator
Your issues are more likely being caused by your alternator than the battery itself. While your battery is responsible for supplying the charge needed to start the engine, a car’s alternator
is what converts the mechanical energy created by your motor into the electrical energy your car’s electrical components need to function while you’re driving. It also recharges your battery, so it’s ready next time you need to start your Accord. A bad alternator comes with some pretty tell-tale signs, including:
Dim or overly bright lights
Slow or malfunctioning vehicle accessories
Trouble starting or frequent stalling
More serious alternator issues can be signaled by growling or whining noises and the smell of burning rubber or wires, but all will likely be accompanied by that little red battery light on your dash. And unlike a car with a dead battery, you can’t just jumpstart a car with a bad alternato
r to solve your problem. It might run for a bit, but it will stall out again. Battery problems
Once the most likely suspect has been eliminated, it’s time to look at your Honda Accord battery
. But before you rush into jumpstarting your dead car battery
, take a moment to inspect a few things first. Pop the hood and check your Accord’s battery cables and terminals. Especially if your car’s battery is less than 3 years old, it’s more likely that you have a loose connection, or it’s impeded by corrosion than that you have a dead battery. Fixing either of these issues is much quicker (and cheaper) than car battery replacement
. Keep in mind, too, that your 2013 Honda Accord is subject to a recall for a faulty battery sensor. This can lead to illumination of the Charge System Indicator light (the little red battery) even if there’s nothing wrong with your system. Be sure you’ve had services performed to correct this issue before springing for a new battery.
Drive belt issues
If you (or your mechanic) has ruled out the two most likely culprits, the next thing to consider would be the alternator serpentine belt
. Like so many of your engine’s parts, this belt is subject to wear and tear, so if it becomes damaged or loose, it could lead to charging issues that cause your battery light to turn on. 
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They may be small, but loose or damaged wires, fuses, and connections can cause loads of trouble. If your alternator is solid, your battery is charged, and your drive belt is in tip-top shape, take a peak in your Accord’s fuse box to look for loose, damaged, or blown fuses. If you don’t find anything here, check your wiring connections throughout the engine compartment and under the dash to ensure everything’s in shape.
Faulty ECU
Last, but not least, it’s time to check your car’s electronic control unit (ECU). Unless you’re a mechanic yourself, you’re going to need one for this. The ECU is your car’s computer, and a faulty one can trigger not only your battery light but also your car’s Check Engine Light
. If both are illuminated, your ECU may very well be to blame. How to reset the check charging system on a Honda Accord
The short answer—you can’t. The only fix for this warning light is to fix the issue that’s causing it. For most of us, that means a trip to a trusted mechanic for a full electrical system check to find and address the problem.
Can I drive with a charging system warning light?
Maybe, but we wouldn’t recommend it. Once that battery light pops on, it’s only a matter of time until your car loses power. This could mean you’re left stranded in a parking lot or blocking traffic at an intersection, but it could also mean a much more dangerous situation if your car loses power while you’re driving.
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