Check Charging System

23012 Views 30 Replies 15 Participants Last post by annamartino, 4 mo ago

nenikol23

Discussion Starter · Aug 10, 2019

Hi all,

New to the forum. I just bought a second hand 2014 Civic and its been great except one thing.
Every-time I start the car, 10 seconds later, "Check Charging System" pops up and battery light come on in the dash.

To my understanding, the system had an ELD which controls when the alternator kicks in and when it does not.
Whenever I start the car, I get a reading in the 14v's, regardless of what accessories are on, headlights, etc.

I have changed the battery. I have changed the negative terminal battery sensor. I have changed the ELD (in hood fuse box). I have checked all other fuses.

Message still comes on every time.

Any ideas?
Thanks for your input.

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

Teeps

· #2 · Aug 10, 2019

nenikol23 said:
Hi all,

New to the forum. I just bought a second hand 2014 Civic and its been great except one thing.
Every-time I start the car, 10 seconds later, "Check Charging System" pops up and battery light come on in the dash.

To my understanding, the system had an ELD which controls when the alternator kicks in and when it does not.
Whenever I start the car, I get a reading in the 14v's, regardless of what accessories are on, headlights, etc.

I have changed the battery. I have changed the negative terminal battery sensor. I have changed the ELD (in hood fuse box). I have checked all other fuses.

Message still comes on every time.

Any ideas?
Thanks for your input.

What model?
Any electrical mods?

nenikol23

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 10, 2019

Teeps said:
What model?
Any electrical mods?

Absolutely no mods at all. It is a 2014 Civic LX.

Teeps

· #4 · Aug 11, 2019

In light of the parts you have already replaced.
And a healthy Honda charging system should not see 14v unless the system is loaded.
Next likely thing would be the voltage regulator.

nenikol23

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 11, 2019

I acttually put in a new alternator from O'Reillys yesterday. I get some fluctuation, between 13.5 - 14.6V at idle, all consumers off. I believe the voltage regulator is built in the alternator, right?
The Check Charging System light remains on.

Teeps

· #6 · Aug 11, 2019

nenikol23 said:
I acttually put in a new alternator from O'Reillys yesterday. I get some fluctuation, between 13.5 - 14.6V at idle, all consumers off. I believe the voltage regulator is built in the alternator, right?
The Check Charging System light remains on.

Correct.
I do not know the quality of an o'reilly alternator; but many aftermarket parts do not play well with some Honda systems...
Sounds like you will need to consult the service manual for further diagnosis.

nenikol23

Discussion Starter · #7 · Aug 12, 2019

Thank your for your continuous input and help. Where could I gain access to a manual? Would that be a similar/same manual that honda techs use?

H82LOS3

· #8 · Aug 12, 2019 (Edited)

nenikol23 said:
Thank your for your continuous input and help. Where could I gain access to a manual? Would that be a similar/same manual that honda techs use?

https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/logon.aspx (copied the link from @Teeps signature) or the link below
https://owners.honda.com/vehicles/information/2014/Civic-Sedan/manuals

Please check the links above and keep us updated

Janz3n!

· #9 · Aug 12, 2019

Alternator charging at 14volts when the message and light come on too?

nenikol23

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 12, 2019

Janz3n! said:
Alternator charging at 14volts when the message and light come on too?

Yes, having the voltmeter connected it is on 14.5-14-6V constantly as soon as the vehicle is started.

I was able to follow the procedure in one of the links and perform a self-check but it does not give me anything conclusive. I get the following message:
F-CAN --- ERROR
B-CAN --- OK
UART --- OK

Teeps

· #11 · Aug 12, 2019

Use search word: F-CAN
or
F-CAN Circuit Troubleshooting

You are looking for F-CAN Circuit Troubleshooting ('14-'15: except K24Z7)

nenikol23

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 15, 2019

F-CAN now ok. I did the test a few more times and its good.

I installed an alternator (thinking its the voltage regulator) from a known good Civic of the same year as a test.
Still the same. I am exhausted of ideas. If anybody has anything else to suggest before I bring it to the dealer.

THanks

Teeps

· #13 · Aug 16, 2019

nenikol23 said:
F-CAN now ok. I did the test a few more times and its good.

I installed an alternator (thinking its the voltage regulator) from a known good Civic of the same year as a test.
Still the same. I am exhausted of ideas. If anybody has anything else to suggest before I bring it to the dealer.

THanks

Sorry man I've got nothing more to offer...

DWils

· #14 · Aug 20, 2019

If Teeps' help wasn't sufficient I feel bad for you because the dealership probably won't be much help either. But at least they'll be able to lay eyes on it and touch it where Teeps is just trying to help from far away.

Jeff503

· #15 · Feb 29, 2020

I’m having the same issue any updates?
2014 si

jose3og

· #16 · Apr 23, 2020

Jeff503 said:
I’m having the same issue any updates?
2014 si

Any luck troubleshooting the issue im experiencing the same problem!? thanks

Twomblymd30

· #17 · Dec 8, 2020 (Edited)

Jeff503 said:
I’m having the same issue any updates?
2014 si

Has anyone figured tbeir problem out for this issue yet? I seem to be experiencing this same issue with my 2012 si coupe... alternator started to go month ago. I got it replaced with an oreillys special. I drove it around for a few weeks and noticed on my radar that my voltage would fluctuate at idle with headlights on 13.2v-13.7, should be 14.1. Headlights would darken and brighten at idle with voltage jumping around. I also Replaced my 5 year old battery with yellow top ( i have always powered a single 12" sub (6 yrs). Voltage still was all over. Brought car back to shop, they agreed something is wrong with this new alternator. Note that this 1st replacement alternator never threw a code or check charging system.
I brought it back to try a new alternator. Shop tried 5 different alternators, even a used genuine honda from junk yard. All of these bring a check charging system message.
I then personally went to local honda dealership, got a genuine honda remanufactured alternator...shop installed yesterday, still getting the check charging system... i know this is long, sorry... any ideas i have checked fuses and battery connections?
Eld, ecu, negative terminal sensor? Its driving me nuts! Shop couldn't figure it out (meineke, only place i could get to work on it with ignition interlock on car) they ended up refunding me 100% labor even though i also had them put in a new tensioner with the 1st alternator replacement attempt...
Thanks!

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Angel21

· #18 · Feb 26, 2021

Jeff503 said:
I’m having the same issue any updates?
2014 si

I had the same issue on my 2014 SI what it turned out to be was on the positive battery terminal there’s a green and white wire one of them could be snapped and that popped up my check charging system, earlier today I got it again for the same reason but now it’s both wires and I just connected them back with butt connectors, and the problem didn’t resolve so I’ll see what else it is

Twomblymd30

· #19 · Feb 27, 2021

I haven't had to chance to troubleshoot mine yet.. I'm in wisconsin in an apartment, so no garage... now that its warming up I'm hoping to get to it... I'm a union electrician so i have the knowledge and tools to figure it out.. one thing I've noticed is with check charging system light on my voltage is always at 14.1 (alternator always in high output) which I'm actually happy about, i used to turn on headlights if i wanted to bump my subwoofer during daylight lol. I hate the dash light and imid notification for this check charging system though...

jn2k108

· #20 · May 16, 2021

I'm also having the same problem. First started in the Winter where my 15 Si wouldn't start on the 1st try. Didn't think much of it. It would start on the 2nd or 3rd try. OK fine. It did that occasionally. Then finally it wouldn't start anymore last Monday. It would start with a jump so I went and got a new battery. It would start on the 1st try no big deal. Come Wednesday wouldn't start anymore again. It would start with a jump. I text my friend who owns a shop and he says to bring it in the next day so he can do a bit of trouble shooting. Thursday I get my 2nd COVID shot, drop the car off at my friends and the Check Charging System warning comes up. He says it's most likely the alternator. He then does some readings and sees that he can hear my starter click and then changes his mind and says it's the starter. Hooks up a scanner and says that I may need a new battery sensor too. Now this is where it confuses me, if the car can start with a jump, why would it be the starter? At this point I'm starting to feel the side effects and said **** it. I'll just leave it at Honda so they can properly diagnose it. Leave the car at Honda and they say it's the starter but no starter around. They would have to order it and won't be installed until Mon/Tuesday. I'll keep you guys posted. Also no electric mods.

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