why does my charging system failure light come on

I had it check at advance auto

I am having the same problem and have already replaced battery and alternator, even though it tested good - didn't know what else to try. STILL getting charging system failure, can't figure it out. And it can be intermittent, the warning might last for 2 minutes or 20 miles. What's going on??

I have been having the same issue. Pamela, someone mentioned that it may be the serpentine belt. Let me know if you guys get yours fixed.

I'm starting to get the same problem. Then, last night, my battery seems to have completely died to the point that the monitor won't turn on, and the car won't play music.

I've had the same thing happen this morning only my power steering when out and everything else was fine. And then my fiancé and I got it into a parking space and then it wouldn't come back on.

Update. After replacing battery & alternator (even though the alternator was testing good, and the battery had tested good a few months earlier), the charging system failure alarm still kept showing up. Then later car quit on me giving other alarms as well (service theft deterrent system, low fuel) & gauges acting confused. Dealership said throttle body was gunked up causing car to idle extremely low). They cleaned it up & did fuel induction service. Well then the car ran like a charm - for a few weeks. Then alarms started back & I got stranded again. I also did a full tune-up. So, after all of this, I'm still right back where we started with the charging system failure alarm. Oh, & also the positive cable on my new battery is having corrosion after just about a month already! What?? Any thoughts appreciated!!!

Try also checking the battery cable connections. I had to change out the ground cable at the fuse box inside the engine compartment. The cable was arching, which gave it a weak connection. It has ran fine for the most part now, but it still dies out from time to time.

Pamela I've been had the same problem it's none of what you just went through it's the tension rod in your pulley belt with a serpentine at some point and I mean real soon the tension rods going to give and your pulleys are going to seize and your belts going to fall off and you'll have bigger issues

Was there a resolution to this? For awhile i was able to only start my car if i pressed on the E brake. Now even that wont work.

I have a similar problem with my 2008, but I haven’t had the alternator tested. I tried starting my car Saturday and it clicked like the battery was dead and the horn starts going off. 2 days later it started. 2 more days later it died and I used my portable jumper, at first it said charging system failure then it started.

Check all of your ground wires and check to c if the plug on the back of the alternator is loose

well my car just started doing that my car did not die out i just replaced the battery and i was just letting my car run and it kept running even after the message so i turned it off and it acted like it didnt want to start but i still had enough juice to start it up so idk what the hell is wrong with it so i just disconnected the battery cause my battery charged fine yesterday cause i wouldnt have had juice to start it up today if anyone can help me figure out this problem that would be awesome

On mine I have to find the ground wires and clean them up because I wasn't getting a good ground. Problem is fixed. Another thing you can do is run a new ground wire from your alternator to the frame but you need to use the right gauge wire for that.

Hello, sorry did anyone fix it !?

Has Anyone Fixed The Problem Yet, My Car Just Started Doing This. I Just Replaced The Battery And The Battery Terminals 2 Months Ago.

I'm having this problem as well, My car starts but i need to give it gas most days. ive bought a brand new battery and alternator. My biggest concern is its bogging down while I drive down the road and if i give it to much gas then it just shuts down on me I've cleaned the terminals and I've used terminal grease to help with corrosion and my ground from the battery has a solid connection. I've had it tested at auto zone and they didn't find anything that would be charging system related, any ideas

https://www.championautoparts.com/Parts-Matter/automotive-repair-and- maintenance/charging-system-warning-light.html

yeah my name is Ronnie I'm an actual technician out here in Arizona I believe which everybody is a person who dream as in no matter what with the car running or off there's something draining your battery and when you test a battery or alternator or anything like that and charging system it seems fine but it's actually not because even when the car is supposed to be off something is pulling power from your battery

and let me tell you for a hundred percent every single one of you guys were driving a Pontiac Grand Prix GT just like me who have the supercharged v6 when you change your battery make sure that you have your car started and running as you're changing the battery or you're going to lose your memory and your anti-theft system will come on and it will not let you start your car or it will die out while running if you have any questions feel free to ask I literally just did all that cuz I had a short somewhere and I screwed up and didn't start where I should have been I had to go through all these steps so I know exactly what all you guys are going through it's simple trust me take a step back and breathe I'm here if you need me

Having same type of issue. First the key fab quit working and was unable to unlock doors. Installed a new starter which solved the key fab issue. But the car was still throwing out codes saying charging system failure, abs lights , battery saver active. We ended up changing the battery car still wouldnt charge after new battery so we changed the alternator ... now after $700 car is still not staying charged!! Can anyone help??!!

FIX! 1. Check ground cables(tighten all of them) 2.check positive wires(if you car charge when on, it’s okay. 3.check for arks in wires(hot wires) The only thing that could be occurring when this happen is a bad connection. Don’t be fooled and replace anything. Now someone said they took it to the shop and they mention the throttle body clogged. I have two of these 3.8 non supercharged engines. From my experience of having them for 5 years; these being a 2001 Buick Regal vs the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix. The 01 runs better due little electronics built in.. now for the 05 there to many temperamental electronics, that are corky and have to be working perfectly. So for my Grand Prix when came to the throttlebody: 1. Have bad acceleration 2. Hard shifting(felt like a bad transmission at 1st) 3. Rough idle 4. Bad gas mileage 5. If the ac was on at high speeds(limp mode activated) 6. Higher rpm on a fresh start( It was dumping to much fuel) Here’s the fix for a clogged throttlebody: 1. Clean the entire filter system 2. Wipe out the combustion chamber Don’t do these thing when cleaning: 1. Don’t spray chemicals into the engine(remove the parts) 2. Don’t force the butterfly open on the throttle body(while it in you hands, spray and gently push a rag though) 3.Dont spray chemicals inside the combustion chamber(this can cause damage to the engine) Note: I live on a gravel road sometimes it like a dust storm; every 3-4 weeks the engine will have the same problems.. So in conclusion it’s normal. Or get a new filter system if it worth it. Good luck y’all

Oh I just seen this up above for THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. Supercharged has nothing to do with the type of engine; but if you have it in gear that’s what throwing the code. Some Of the newer models cars, dont have the button to move the gear shifter; without pressing the brake. So for the older 01 I had it did have the button; I have to press it down and play with the shifter; while the key turn to acc. Rinse and repeat twice, try starting it. If nothing happens,Try it again; except this time Once it fail turn the key and start a timer to 45 secs. Or plug a diagnostic computer and try that work too

Run a 10mm wire directly from the alternator nut(covered) to the positive battery post VOILA!!! "easy fix",,, you're welcome.

I have a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix 3.8l v6 3 series. I just purchased my car Christmas Eve 2020. It was driving fine and then suddenly the gas pedal went to the floor, no power. So I ease off the gas and it kicks in. Next day I remove the throttle body and it was so black from carbon build up. I purchased gumout cleaner, wire brushes and paper towels and after 20mins of cleaning problem solved.

There is also a ignition recall it says it may cause the airbags not to deploy if in a accident but it's all to with the electronics in the car the 05 Pontiacs all have the same problem.... I own one a grand prix my brother had the Bonneville an both have all these same problems..... GM messed the electronics up in 05..... but all this was very helpful on this forum..... also there it something wrong with the gas peatal assembly in the grand prix.... 80 precinct of the tim if yur starting disabled due to throttle control it's that an that could be the cause of the sluggishness when accelerating

I have a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix with the 3800 supercharged engine. Back in June 2021 my computer told me Charging System Failure after numerous attempts at starting and finally using a battery charger with a 200 amp boost it started. I replaced the alternator and everything worked great until tonight. Same thing happened. Alternator is free replacement (thank God) so tomorrow I will pull the alternator and go get the replacement. I hope this one last longer than 5 months because they will only do 1 free replacement.

Ground wire from battery to frame rail below battery. This will cause issues. Maybe not throttle issues but starting and stalling issues. The GP has multiple grounds that are not redundant. The main grnd goes to the engine block. the frame/body has its own. I have 3 of these cars. 2 V6 and one V8. The main grnd eyelet where it connects to the engine can go bad in winter zones.