What ‘Check Charging System’ Means in a Toyota
If your Check Charging System warning light comes on in your Toyota, you’ll want to get your battery or alternator checked out ASAP.
Written by Macy Fouse
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
If you’re driving a Toyota and notice your “Check Charging System” or battery light comes on, go to a mechanic as soon as possible. This light means there’s an issue with your charging system—which could cause your Toyota to lose power unexpectedly.
All gas-powered cars need both mechanical energy from an engine and electrical energy to run. That’s where the charging system comes in—this system provides electric power to your Toyota’s battery while you drive. If anything in this system goes awry, you may wind up stranded… or worse.
To prevent that from happening, we’ve created this handy
car repair
guide to nail down what’s causing your charging system problem so you can get back to driving with confidence. Don't get ripped off!
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Toyota check charge system: what does it mean?
If you see the “Check Charging System” light illuminated on a Toyota, there’s a problem with—you guessed it—the charging system. But what does that entail?
The charging system includes your battery, alternator, electric control unit (ECU), and all the wiring involved between them. This system keeps your battery charged, and it also regulates heating and electrical components.
The charging light likely indicates that your battery is running low on power, but it may not mean you need to replace the battery just yet. The terminals may just need a good cleaning, or simple fuse replacement or a new alternator belt could solve the issue.
That being said, you don’t want to ignore the light, no matter the cause. If this light is on, your battery is bound to lose power soon, possibly leaving you stranded until the problem is remedied.
Common causes of charging system problems
If your Toyota’s “Check Charging System” light comes on, there are a number of possible issues that could be at play. Here are some of the most common.
Bad alternator
The alternator is responsible for converting the engine’s energy into electric power to operate the rest of your vehicle, which includes charging the battery. If your alternator malfunctions, it can’t send enough power to your battery to keep it charged, leading to a complete loss of power.
A key sign that your alternator is at fault is if your interior lights, dashboard lights, or radio seem to be weak. Another indicator that you’ve got a bad alternator is that your Toyota will run for a while after a jumpstart but fail to start again soon after.
You can
test the alternator
and the voltage regulator at home if you have a multimeter or voltmeter. Battery problems
If your charging system is acting up and it’s not the alternator, it may be time for a new battery—especially if your battery is three to five years old.
Don’t rush out to buy a new battery just yet, though. Pop your hood and give your battery and cables a look to make sure the issue isn’t due to corrosion or a loose connection. These problems may trigger the battery light to turn on. Cleaning your terminals or adjusting the connection is much easier than buying a whole new battery!
If you’re driving a 2013 to 2018
Toyota RAV4
, you’ll want to pay special attention to your battery. Toyota has issued a recall for these models for battery-related vehicle fires, so take your vehicle to the nearest Toyota dealer to make sure you’re in the clear. Drive belt issues
Another common cause of your “Check Charging System” light could be a worn-out
serpentine belt
. Like most parts, these belts wear thin or get loose over time, leading to issues between the alternator and battery. Your alternator can’t adequately charge your battery if your belt is loose or the belt tensioner is faulty. Wires, fuses, and connections
Since the charging system is largely electrical, you’ll want to check your fuses and wire connections to ensure they’re functioning properly. Faulty fuses and loose or worn wires can affect other components, too, like your brake lights.
Electronic Control Unit issues
Sometimes the check charging light will come on due to a computer issue in your Toyota. It’s not the most common cause, but a malfunctioning ECU can lead to this light and the “Check Engine” light coming on. If you suspect this may be the problem, you’ll need to head to a mechanic—this isn’t typically something you can fix at home.
How to reset the check charging light on a Toyota
Resetting this warning light isn’t the best idea, since it’s there to point out a specific and crucial problem. Before you focus on resetting the light, make sure you fix the root of the charging problem first. Usually, repairing the issue will turn the light off automatically.
To get the issue straightened out, take your Toyota to a local dealership or to a reliable mechanic to get it diagnosed and repaired. Independent shops may charge less than a dealership, and opting for aftermarket parts could lower your repair bill.
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Can I drive with a charging system warning light?
Depending on the reason for your charging system warning light, you might be able to drive a short distance with it illuminated—but don’t be surprised if your Toyota suddenly loses power. Since that can leave you stranded or cause a major accident, you’ll need to take your vehicle to get checked out as soon as you see your warning light illuminated.
If you can’t get into a repair shop right away and you need to drive your car, be sure to keep a portable battery charger and jumper cables on hand.
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