Check charging system

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Harry

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Hey guys. This is for a 03 exp. 4.6 I'm getting a "check charging system". It killed my battery. So bought a new one and it drained that one. While driving I saw that the message kept going off and on. So has to be a loose connection. Where can I look?
 

Hamfisted

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How long have you had the Expy ? Has the alternator recently been replaced ? Unless you have factory Navigation package it should be the 110 amp alternator. If you try using anything else you will get the check charge error messages. Other than that, what is the voltage across the battery with the engine idling?





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Lee_H

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Check loose ground wires, I had one that was loose on an 1971 RUSTang. It caused all sorts of trouble. Doesn't hurt to run an extra wire from the alt. to the frame and see if any differences happen.
 
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Harry

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How long have you had the Expy ? Has the alternator recently been replaced ? Unless you have factory Navigation package it should be the 110 amp alternator. If you try using anything else you will get the check charge error messages. Other than that, what is the voltage across the battery with the engine idling?





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I had it for 5 years. I didn't get a reading. I just replaced the battery. I just recently changed the alternator four days ago. Now the message is popping up again.
 
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Harry

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How many ground wires are there. I checked one on the right side. I'm sure there's more
 

Yupster Dog

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I had it for 5 years. I didn't get a reading. I just replaced the battery. I just recently changed the alternator four days ago. Now the message is popping up again.
Then this is likely your problem. Like @Hamfisted said it's the wrong size alternator.


Did your truck come with navigation?
What was the part number for the alternator you got?
 

BlackCoffee

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I had it for 5 years. I didn't get a reading. I just replaced the battery. I just recently changed the alternator four days ago. Now the message is popping up again.
Did you check the voltage coming out of the new alternator? Also, check the tensioner and serpentine belt to make sure it is not slipping. Does it occur during a turn a turn or when the A/C kicks on? If you belt tension is down, the additional load may cause the belt to slip.
 
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Harry

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Then this is likely your problem. Like @Hamfisted said it's the wrong size alternator.


Did your truck come with navigation?
What was the part number for the alternator you got?
I'm not sure about the navigation. The alternator looked exactly as the old one. And unfortunately iam stranded right now. The message stayed on and the battery is completely dead.
 
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