The “Charging System Service Now” light ultimately indicates that you should get the charging system checked out by a professional as soon as possible.
Numerous things can cause the message to arise, and we’ve covered the common ones here.
In this article, find out the causes behind the message you see on your Ford F-150 dashboard and see what you can do about it.
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What Does “Charging System Service Now” Mean In Ford F-150?
If the “check charging system” or “Charging System Service Now” indicator light on your car is on, there is a problem with the starting/charging system of your Ford F-150.
This is typically a sign of a problem with your alternator, accumulator, or the battery itself.
When your car’s “check charging system” light illuminates, it indicates that one of the problems mentioned above—which might cause your vehicle to lose all power—is already present or is about to.
What Is Causing The “Charging System Service Now” Light To Turn On In Ford F-150?
An undercharged alternator is the most typical issue with the “check charging system” light, and it can be brought on by several things, including loose mounting nuts or a bad diode.
If the battery terminals have started to rust, which may happen if electrical components are left on for an extended time, this light is another frequent cause to turn on.
Let’s review the problems.
#1: A Defective Alternator
The most common reason for the red battery indicator to illuminate on an F-150 is a defective alternator.
The alternator transforms the engine’s mechanical energy into electricity, which operates all the onboard appliances and recharges the battery.
The battery will now be responsible for handling the full vehicle’s electrical load if the alternator develops a problem and ceases producing energy.
As a result, the battery soon runs out of power since the alternator is no longer charging it.
Alternators can go down any time, although they typically survive for more than 100,000 miles.
You must rule out any other potential problems before replacing the alternator, such as broken wires or poor electrical connections, before you replace it.
Can I Drive My Ford F-150 With A Defective Alternator?
Despite having a damaged alternator, you can still drive your F-150 for a short distance.
The battery charge will, however, drop while you are driving because the battery is now the only source of power for all the internal electrical controls and accessories.
If the battery charge falls too low, the engine will shut down and leave you stranded.
It is best to see your mechanic or a dealer fix this issue. They will fix it with the proper tools.
#2: Poorly Connected Batteries Due To Corrosion
Your Ford F-150’s alternator could be operating OK, but the passage of electricity might be impeded by a faulty wire, a loose electrical connection, or rust on the battery terminals.
Battery corrosion, with the exception of AGM batteries, is a common problem. This is particularly a problem if the battery you have in your F-150 is in the car for more than 2 years.
When battery acid interacts with the metal parts, it will become corroded in a while. That can cause a loss of contact and reduced current flow.
The battery will only be properly charged if there is sufficient current flow, which might lead to issues with the engine starting.
You must look into the battery terminals to see if filthy battery connections cause your F-150 charging system issues.
Examine the terminals for any corrosion by lifting the plastic covers.
If you find white or silvery spots but no more fractures or damage, you might get away with cleaning the battery terminals instead of replacing the battery or the alternator.
If you are wondering how to fix this, keep reading!
How To Fix The Corroded And Poorly Connected Batteries?
You must first remove the terminal wires from the battery in your Ford F-150 to clean it thoroughly.
This doesn’t require particular skills; it only takes a little focus because the order is crucial.
The first thing you have to do is remove the black cable from the negative terminal. You can do that using a wrench or pliers.
Remove the red positive terminal cable next. Avoid touching both terminals with your metal tool; doing so will be a costly error.
Once the battery has been removed from the circuit, you may begin scrubbing the corroded battery with sandpaper or a scrubbing brush.
Attach the wires in the opposite order, positive initially, then negative, after cleaning. That’s it!
#3: Damage Made By Rodents
You wouldn’t believe it, but it is very common!
The battery light in an F-150 may come on if rodents have gnawed up the wires for the alternator.
Inspect all the wires for the alternator and search the engine area for any biting marks. Replace any broken cables with new ones if possible.
How To Reset The Battery Light In Ford F-150?
The warning light will come back on when the system identifies the malfunction. Thus just resetting the battery light in the F-150 may not be helpful.
After the problem is fixed, the light ought to go out automatically.
If it doesn’t shut off immediately, you should try driving your car for a few miles.
Each of these problems is solvable quickly. We advise taking your Ford F-150 to the mechanic immediately because every prolonging could lead to more damage.
Luna Meschiari is a full-blooded car nut who is well known to local garages, as each article is meticulously researched and peppered with the latest piece of information. Guess what car she’s driving right now? A RAV4 2021 Hybrid. But her heart also sleeps for pickups like the F-150. Get to know Luna better on the about us page.
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