What “Check Charge System” Means in a Ford Taurus
A problem with the battery, alternator, or electronic control unit can illuminate the Check Charge System light on your Ford Taurus.
Written by Jessica Gibson
Reviewed by Amy Bobinger
The Ford Taurus “Check Charge System” light comes on if there’s a problem with the charging system and you’re running on limited battery power. Get to a mechanic right away to diagnose and repair the underlying problem.
The Check Charge System light usually looks like an illuminated battery on the Ford Taurus dashboard, although some models display the words “Check Charge System.” This is definitely a warning light you don’t want to ignore! It means your
Ford’s
charging system isn’t working properly—in other words, the alternator isn’t charging the car’s battery as you drive.The alternator isn’t the only thing that can trigger the Check Charge System light. Any component of the charging system can set it off. We’ll go over possible problems—and give you helpful
car repair
advice for how to quickly deal with this warning light. Ford Taurus check charge system: what does it mean?
This dashboard warning light is telling you to check the car’s charging system. This includes the alternator, the battery, wiring, and the electronic control unit (ECU).
As you can guess, the charging system is pretty important. It’s what keeps your car’s battery charged! Plus, it gives power to the radio, lights, and electrical components while the car’s engine runs.
You’ll see the warning light come on if your Taurus is running only on battery power. If you ignore the warning and don’t fix the underlying problem, the battery will stop working, which could leave you stranded.
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Common causes of charging system problems
Now that you know all about the charging system, we can talk about why the Check Charge System light comes on. There are a handful of reasons it might illuminate—here are some of the most common problems that trigger it:
Bad alternator
The
alternator
is a good place to start if the Check Charge System light comes on. It works with the battery by turning mechanical energy into electric energy while you drive. The electrical components of your Taurus need this energy, and it also powers the car’s battery!Other signs of a faulty alternator include dim or overly bright interior lights, trouble with the radio, slow or malfunctioning accessories, and growling or whining noises.
Another big sign of an alternator problem is if you’ve recently jump-started your Taurus, but the battery failed again. Take the car to a mechanic to
test the alternator
(or do it yourself if you’ve got a multimeter or voltmeter). The voltage should give them a good idea of whether the alternator is what’s triggering the warning light.Battery problems
If it’s not a problem with the alternator, check the battery next. A Ford Taurus battery usually lasts three to five years, so you might have to replace the battery if it’s an old one. This isn’t a time-consuming process. Your mechanic can easily check the battery strength—and if it’s low, they can pop a new one in within a few minutes!
Before you splurge on a new battery, check the connection first. If the battery connection is loose or there’s corrosion, the Check Charge Light will come on. The good news is that you can usually fix this problem by cleaning off the corrosion with a baking soda mix or reconnecting the battery cables.
Drive belt issues
Pop the hood of your Taurus and take a look at the serpentine belt that powers the alternator. This belt should look in good shape! But if it looks frayed or like it’s cracking and splitting, it’s definitely time for a replacement.
Wires, fuses, and connections
Moving down the list of possible problems, we get to the wiring—starting with the fuse box. If the wires aren’t grounded, there are loose connections, or fuses are corroded, the Check Charge System light will come on, and you’ll probably notice problems with other electrical components (like your brake lights).
Since these can be a little tricky to spot, have a mechanic check the internal wiring connections. They can clean, repair, or replace wiring connections, which should turn the Check Charge System light off.
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Faulty ECU
If you haven’t found an obvious problem with the alternator, battery, or wiring, there might be a problem with the electronic control unit (ECU). This is a computer issue, so a mechanic needs to make a diagnosis. Sometimes, the ECU unit needs to be replaced.
How to reset the Check Charging System on a Ford Taurus
You need an OBD-II scanning device to clear the error codes, but that’s not something you should do. Resetting the alert won’t fix the underlying problem. Instead, you need to get the entire charging system inspected by a technician.
A Ford technician or a local repair specialist can diagnose what’s triggering the warning and make the necessary repairs. To save money, ask them to use aftermarket auto parts if you need to replace something (like a drive belt or the alternator).
Can I drive with a charging system warning light?
You can still drive your car if the Check Charging System light is on, but there’s really no telling how long it will work. Since you’re driving with just battery power, you can’t go very far. Don’t forget that there’s an underlying problem triggering this sensor. You don’t want to be on the road when your Taurus suddenly loses power!
If your mechanic isn’t far away, get your Taurus there as soon as possible, or check for the closest repair specialist if you’re worried you might not make it. It can’t hurt to toss a portable battery charger and jumper cables in the car before you head out—just in case!
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