What “Check Charging System” Means in a Honda Pilot
If you see the “Check Charging System” light in your Honda Pilot, there’s a problem with the electrical charging system. Here’s what to do.
Written by Andrew Hobson
Reviewed by Bellina Gaskey
If the “Check Charging System” light turns on in your Honda Pilot, take the vehicle to a professional mechanic as soon as possible. This light means that there is a problem with the electrical charging system and your car could suddenly lose power.
As with most vehicles, the Honda Pilot runs on a fuel-based engine and an advanced electrical energy system. If all is running smoothly, the alternator charges your Honda Pilot’s battery as you drive, which allows for a steady flow of electrical energy. But if any part of the charging system falters—your car could stop running once the energy in your system is depleted.
Luckily the Honda Pilot is equipped with a check charging system light which will let you know when the charging system is experiencing technical difficulties.
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Honda Pilot check charging system light: what does it mean?
When the “Check Charging System” light on your Honda Pilot lights up, your Pilot’s charging system—comprising the battery, alternator, electronic control unit (ECU), and wiring—has an issue.
The light could go on because of battery issues, but don’t go ahead and swap your battery out with an expensive replacement just yet. It’s also possible that the terminals need to be cleaned or the alternator, wiring, or a fuse needs to be swapped out.
Regardless of the specific issue in your charging system, the fact remains that you have a finite amount of energy left in your battery. Potentially at any moment, your car could lose power.
Common causes of charging system problems
What’s making the check charging system light turn on? For the most part, the check charging light in your Honda Pilot is on because of a bad alternator, battery problems, or other electrical issues. Let’s break the potential causes down here.
Bad alternator
When you are experiencing electric issues in your vehicle, a bad alternator is usually to blame. The
alternator charges the battery
and converts the electrical charge into usable power. Think of the alternator like the turbines in a power plant—when you're driving, the alternator converts mechanical energy to electrical energy, providing juice to the electrical parts of your car. If something is wrong with your alternator, then you’ll see it in a muted performance from your Pilot’s dashboard lights, radio, or interior lighting.
Another alternator red flag is if your car runs after a jump start only to run out of power and fail again. You can
test the alternator
and the nearby voltage regulator by using either a multimeter or voltmeter and disconnecting the battery. Battery problems
If the alternator isn’t the problem, the issue might lie with your Pilot’s battery. This is most likely the case if your battery is between 3-5 years old, which is how long Honda pilot batteries usually last. Note that you can extend your battery’s life by storing your Pilot indoors, away from extreme shifts in climate or temperature.
Before taking the plunge and
replacing the battery
for your Honda pilot, pop the hood and check for damaged battery terminals
and cables. A wobbly battery connection or corrosion from battery acid could be causing performance issues. Generally speaking, this is a much easier fix than swapping out your battery entirely. Drive belt issues
If it's not the alternator or the battery that’s causing your check charging system light to go off, it could be the alternator belt. Otherwise known as the serpentine belt, it generates power for the alternator. Over time, wear and tear could cause the belt’s tension to decrease. If that happens, your alternator will not be able to charge up your battery.
Wires, fuses, and connections
The fuse box and wiring connections are an integral part of your Pilot’s electrical system. If there’s a problem causing your charging system light to go off, it makes sense to check if there are any problems with the wiring.
If it's the wiring or your fuse box that’s causing the problem, then you’ll notice electric components on your Pilot failing—like brake lights or the infotainment system.
MORE: What is the best year for the Honda Pilot?
Faulty ECU
Lastly, a malfunctioning electronic control unit (ECU) could be causing the check charging system light to turn on in your Honda Pilot. The main job of the ECU is to keep the engine running smoothly.
How to reset the check charging system on a Honda Pilot
Simply put, resetting the check charging system light on your Honda Pilot isn’t something you should do yourself. Since the light indicates a problem within your Pilot’s electrical system, it’s vital that you have the entire system checked out and repaired by a professional.
Bring your Pilot to a Honda dealership or trusted auto mechanic for a proper diagnosis and repair. It will cost less if you go to an independent mechanic and opt for aftermarket parts instead of
OEM parts
.Can I drive with a charging system warning light?
You can—but you probably shouldn’t! You may be able to drive your PIlot for a short distance with the check charging system light on, but you could be driving with a compromised electrical energy supply, which could result in your car suddenly losing power on the road.
Make a point of taking your Pilot to a mechanic as soon as you notice the “Check Charging System” light. And it always pays off to store jumper cables and a portable battery charger in your vehicle in case the unexpected happens and you’re faced with
a dead battery
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