For the last week or so when I started up the car for a minute or two the display would say "CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM" but the BATT gauge wouldn't be low.

On the way in to work this morning, the radio cut out and wouldn't turn on (said 'battery low), lights started dimming and flickering and the check charging system kept beeping. The gauge went all the way into the low red area and bounced around there. I turned off the car and tried to start it up and it almost didn't start. So I kept driving to work and after a few minutes everything went back to normal, however the radio reset all the presets.

The car's at the dealer now, but I'm expecting them to call me at any moment and tell me they don't know what's wrong.

Anyone had this problem and a fix? Sounds like a combintation of alternator/battery and bad connections to me.

THX

 

It could be an electrical issue like grounding, but I'd hiope it is just the battery, since there have been many reported issues with it including a TSB.

 

Dealer says it is a bad alternator. Of course, they don't have one in stock.

Pfft.