If the “Check Charge System” light turns on in your Acura, you should immediately stop driving and contact your local dealership or auto repair shop. The light indicates that your car’s battery has insufficient power, and you could be left stranded.

Just like most other modern cars on the road today, your Acura relies on a combination of mechanical energy from its engine and electrical energy from the battery. Under normal conditions, your vehicle’s alternator charges the battery as you drive. But if there’s a malfunction with the charging system, the resulting loss of power could leave you stranded.

But don’t worry—we put together this convenient

car repair

guide to help you troubleshoot and diagnose any potential problems with your Acura’s charging system.

MORE:

How to reduce your Acura insurance costs

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Acura check charging system: what does it mean?

Your Acura’s check charging system warning light is designed to illuminate when there’s a problem with your car’s charging system. That system is comprised of your alternator, battery, electronic control unit (ECU), and the diverse wiring connections and fuses that link all of these components.

Your Acura’s battery might be to blame for your car’s check charging system light, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to rush out and buy a new one. The solution to your problem might be as simple as cleaning the terminals, replacing a blown fuse, or swapping out the serpentine belt that drives your alternator.

But no matter what the actual cause of the problem is, the meaning remains the same: if your Acura’s check charging system light is on, your car is running with a limited supply of energy and could lose complete power if the problem is not fixed.

MORE:

What to do if your electrical components are not working

Common causes of check charging system problems

So, how exactly do you determine what’s causing your check charging system light to illuminate? While a variety of electrical problems can cause this issue, here is a list of the most common culprits for your Acura.

Bad alternator

Automotive battery problems are frequently the result of issues with the alternator. While your Acura’s battery is responsible for starting the vehicle, its alternator is the source of electrical energy while you’re driving and the component responsible for keeping your battery charged.

The alternator works by converting the mechanical energy created by your engine to the electrical energy necessary to power your car’s accessory components, like the headlights, radio, and wiper blades.

Since the alternator plays a key role in keeping the battery healthy, if it fails, your battery will lose energy quickly.

If your car has a bad alternator, you’ll likely notice symptoms like dim interior lights and issues with accessory components like the radio. Another clue that your alternator is bad is if your Acura runs for a short period after a jump start but then dies again soon after.

You can

test your alternator

and its charge regulator using a voltmeter or a multimeter after disconnecting the battery.

MORE: Signs of a bad car battery vs. alternator

Battery problems

If your Acura’s alternator is in good shape, your battery could be bad. The battery is more likely to be the source of your problem if it’s older than three to five years—the average lifespan for an Acura battery.

But before you make a trip to the auto parts store for a costly replacement, check to make sure your existing battery’s cables and terminals are clean and that its tie-downs are secure. Loose battery connections and corrosion can trigger your Acura’s check charging system light. And repairing these problems is cheaper and easier than replacing the entire battery.

Drive belt issues

If the alternator and battery in your Acura are both working well, your check charging system light might be due to a problem with the serpentine belt that powers the alternator. The drive belts on your car’s engine are subject to wear and tear over time.

If the belt becomes loose or frayed, or if the alternator tensioner breaks, the alternator might cease to work, and your battery will drain as a result.

MORE: Alternator/serpentine belt replacement cost

Wires, fuses, and connections

Whenever you’re facing an electrical issue in your Acura, one of your first steps should be to check the car’s wiring connections and fuses. If your charging system problem is caused by one of these components, you’ll likely encounter other electrical issues, like dim tail lights.

MORE:

The most common Acura problems

Faulty ECU

If none of the issues described above are to blame for your Acura’s charging system problem, you could have a faulty electronic control unit (ECU). This problem is more likely on a newer vehicle. However, it is less common overall than the other issues listed above.

Furthermore, if your ECU is causing your charging system issues, you’ll likely notice a check engine light in addition to the check charging system light.

How to reset the check charging system light on an Acura

Unlike some other warning lights and indicators, you cannot simply turn off the check charging system light. This light turns on for a very important reason: your car has a dangerously low level of battery power and could lose power completely at any time. Because of this, if the check charging system light turns on in your Acura, you should take your car to the dealership or an independent auto repair shop as soon as possible.

Can I drive with a charging system warning light?

While it’s possible that you’ll be able to drive your car for a day or two with the check charging system light illuminated, it’s unsafe to do so. Your Acura could lose all power at any time, leaving you stranded or even causing an accident.

If this light turns on in your car, the smartest move is to take a trip to your local dealership or mechanic. If you must drive, consider carrying a pair of jumper cables and a portable charging pack to help you arrive at your destination safely.

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