Nate Johnson

The last few initial starts in the morning have popped a "Check Charging System" code/alert. It goes off after a few minutes. Today I was quick enough to get OBD2 scanner plugged in. I was showing 11-11.5v while the alert was on, and once the alert dropped off (about 3 mins after start up), it was up to a normal voltage (13.8ish volts). Any ideas on this one? Car fires up just fine, battery load tests decent, alt. seems to be charging after the initial code, HFL is already unplugged.

Nate Johnson

I like to reply to my own threads when I figure out the fix so anyone in the future can see it: It was the alternator. Not sure why it wouldn't charge for the first few mins of driving and then "click on" - but it got progressively worse. It started to last 10 mins or so of not charging and when driving short trips at night (with lights on) the volt meter would start dropping close to 10v. Just so everyone knows, these cars damn near become inoperable when voltage is that low. Check engine, check VSC, check SHAWD all pop up. The transmission starts to act like the torque converter is toasted. It was not a good experience to limp it home. Replaced the alternator out of desperation (ordered from rockauto, cheaper than Amazon and locally), and it works as it should now. The alternator was a piece of cake, the belt SUCKED though. My fat hands can't reach in there well and it popped off the crank pulley. The only way to get it back on was to remove the passenger tire and reset the belt that way.