Charge System Failure

[selyse]

Hey everyone, I am new to this forum and looking for some help.

I have a 2006 Grand Prix.

I live in Canada and the temp right now is -20 C. I went to start my car this morning and my DIC said "Charge System Failure". The car started okay but I was pretty worried. I know zero about cars other than how to check my oil and tire pressure. I drove to Kal Tire and they ran a diagnostic and told me that the battery and alternator tested fine but that I should replace them both anyways because this "failure" will just keep happening otherwise. The car has the original battery in it so I decided to replace that just because it was time anyways. They weren't too happy with me and told me that the problem will keep happening unless I change the alternator as well.

I haven't noticed any problems with my car up until today. No lights dimming, etc...

Has anybody else experienced this and should I get the alternator changed or will the battery be enough?


Thanks,


Shannon

[REDCRAPGP]

Check both the battery and alternator either can be the culprit

Edit: also make sure your terminals are good as well if you have a voltmeter you can also test them

[REDCRAPGP]

If the battery is bad then it won't hold a charge..if the alternator is bad then it can't charge the battery. Get it?

[ItHurtz]

If your battery is dead you cant start the car.
If your battery is dying it will turn over slower, then slower, then click click click

If your alternator is dying your car will die when driving and your lights will be very dim
If your alternator is dead, your car will run until your battery is drained.

[Dadillac]

Same thing happened to my sons '04 a few weeks ago. Had the alternator tested and told it was fine. Removed the battery to find one of the caps had been blown off. Got a warranty exchange on the battery and all was fine for 6 days. then the issue came back. Changed out the alternator and so far so good. I lean towards a sporadic voltage regulator. My guess is the vr was fine when the alternator was tested. But it would fail sometimes. That is my theory. My suggestion\n would be to test the battery when the message comes up. If low I would change the battery as you say it is the original. Six years is plenty long for a battery. If the problem persists with a new battery then suspect the alternator

Don