The “Check Charge System” light will turn on in your Acura TL if there is a problem with the battery. If the battery charging system is compromised, it could cause your TL to suddenly lose power while driving or not start at all.

Having your battery die in a shopping mall parking lot isn’t ideal. Jumpstarting your battery can give it enough juice to get home, but if your “Check Charge System” light turns on, you might want to head to your mechanic instead.

To help you locate the source of your battery issues, we’ve put together this

car repair

guide.

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Acura TL check charge system: what does it mean?

In addition to the gas that your Acura TL uses to power its engine, it also uses electrical energy from the battery to power everything from your sensors to your lights. The alternator charges the battery as you drive your TL—but if something goes wrong and the charge system breaks down, you could be left stranded with a dead battery.

The “Check Charge System” light on your dash will light up if there’s a problem with any of these components that make up the TL’s charging system: the battery, the alternator, the electronic control unit (ECU), or the wiring connections. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the battery itself needs a replacement.

To troubleshoot this on your own, you can clean the battery terminals, swap out a fuse, or replace the alternator belt to see if the light turns off. However, you don’t want to put off repairing the problem for too long, as the “Check Charge System” light means that you’re probably driving on a limited battery charge and could lose power unexpectedly at any time.

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Common causes of charging system problems

If you have the car knowledge and the DIY spirit to troubleshoot the problem on your own, you may be able to fix the problem yourself. There are a variety of possible causes for charging system problems—here are a few that are likely to occur in an Acura TL.

Bad alternator

The battery and

the alternator

work together to power your vehicle. The battery starts your car, while the alternator converts mechanical energy into electric energy while you’re driving, charging your battery and powering your Acura’s accessories at the same time. A faulty alternator is a usual suspect when it comes to inconsistent battery voltage or a drained battery.

A way to tell if your alternator is struggling is by looking at your dash. If the lights in your dash or interior seem weaker than normal, or if the radio is on the fritz, it’s probably an alternator problem. If it comes to jumpstarting your dead battery, your alternator may be the issue if your car starts after

a jumpstart

and then fails again.

To be sure, you can

test the alternator

with a multimeter or voltmeter. Just make sure you disconnect your battery and follow the appropriate instructions before hooking up the meter. Alternators generally last over 100,000 miles, but checking yours won’t hurt.

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Signs of a bad car battery vs. alternator

Battery problems

Acura estimates that your car battery will likely need to be replaced if it’s over three years old.

Before you go out and buy a new battery, however, check your

battery terminals

and battery cables. A loose connection, a faulty ground wire, or corrosion could be the actual culprit. These issues are much cheaper to fix.

MORE:

What you should know about the 2008 Acura TL battery draining problem

Drive belt issues

If neither of these components is the issue, another explanation for your charge system light is that the

serpentine belt

that powers the alternator is worn out or faulty. A loose drive belt won’t function properly and a malfunctioning belt tensioner can also keep your alternator from charging the battery properly.

According to RepairPal, a replacement drive belt for the Acura TL will cost between $104 and $117—much cheaper than replacing a battery!

Wires, fuses, and connections

For electrical problems, you’re going to want to check over all of the connections that may be preventing the battery from charging properly. Check the fuse box and the wiring to make sure everything’s connected.

If you’re having other electrical issues, like brake light malfunctions, it could be that your wires are loose.

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Faulty ECU

If your “Check Charge System” light on your Acura TL is still illuminated after checking all of the above, there’s one more component to check—the electronic control unit (ECU). Some TLs may not have this unit, especially older models.

If your “Check Engine” light is also illuminated, it may be because of a faulty ECU.

How to reset the check charging system on an Acura TL

Because this light is connected to your battery health, it’s not easy to switch it off on a whim. You’ll have to find the cause of the issue and repair it or take your Acura TL to your mechanic. You can try using an OBDII scanner to determine the cause of the problem, but the light will stay on until the problem has been resolved.

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What to do if your car’s battery alert light is on

Can I drive with a charging system warning light?

It’s not recommended to drive your vehicle for more than is necessary when the charging system warning light is turned on. Remember that your battery may be compromised and there is a real risk of your vehicle losing power somewhere dangerous, like in the middle of an intersection.

If your Acura TL’s “Check Charge System” light turns on, bring the car to a repair specialist as soon as possible. If the only way for you to get there is to drive, make sure you bring a portable battery charger and jumper cables in case you lose power on the way.

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