Yes you can test the alternator on the car. They test the voltage at the battery when the car is not running and then again while the car is running.
Not exact on the numbers. I think 12.5 volts not running and around 14 when running. Like Houtex said it could actually be a couple of other issues that could be causing the issue. Any auto parts store can check it.
The guy at Autozone is a jerk and doesn't have a clue.

 

When mine is running it's at 13.9.

 

So I did the deep cleaning of my terminals, followed all of the steps to make sure there is nothing interrupting the connection.

Today the "Check Charging System" message did appear but only for about 5 seconds. If it continues to happen then should I assume it's the alternator going out?

Also I used my multimeter to get readings off of the battery while the car was on and off. Both of the values were excellent actually so not sure what to make of that

 

A multimeter is fine in certain circumstances, but not this one. Get it properly tested by a proper testing machine.

That said, I believe I mentioned a clutch in these alternators. If it's wonky, that'll be why you get the weird readings like you are The other is a bad diode, but typically those just go and are done. Anyway, it's *likely* the alternator, but it may be that you have to test it several times, catch it in the act. Which is going to (siphon with a large amount of negative pressure) when it doesn't do it at the test.

The thing you may need to do, as I did when this was going on for me, is to figure out a way to within reason get it to do it 'on command'. For me it was car running, warmed up, headlamps on, and on high beams, hazards on, radio on, a/c on full blast, radio on, inside lights on, and hit the brakes, THEN put it in gear and let the clutch out a little bit... boom, message.

Ridiculous. But it worked, and then they warrantied the flaky alternator. Until I did that, she kept passing the test.

So... yeah. These can be fun. But I'm leaning to alternator, yes.

 

So does anyplace like Autozone or Oreilly's have these proper testing machines?

 

Well, obviously your Autozone does not, it would appear, but O'Reilly's and Advance Audo does. Believe Napa does too. And also dealers and independent mechanics, but you'll probably pay for that as a diagnostic fee.

 

Is there a specific name of the testing to ask them for?

I apologize for my lack of knowledge by the way. Thank you all for the help

 

No, you just need to ask about testing the entire charging system in the car. You might have to wait a little for one of them to get available though, but they'll trundle out the equipment, set it up, and then tell you what to do to get it tested.

Don't worry about it, we all gotta learn stuff, right?

 

So will that give me a for sure answer whether or not my alternator is going out or not? Even if the Check Charging System message is intermittent? Does that message need to appear in order for them to know if it's dying?

And thank you!

 

Back when I was having the weird electrical/transmission issue, a parts store did a test of my charging system to make sure it was putting out good, clean voltage with no ripple effect.

 

I think the alternator test is going to tell you more or less the same thing as the light on the dash -- pretty sure they are both based on the voltage (and amperage?) output of the alternator.

If that is intermittent, meaning sometimes it is putting out what it should and sometimes not, then the test result will be the same -- sometimes it will show good, sometimes bad.

The test is independent of the light on the dash; but they both give some information. So anyway, you might not get a 100% positive clear answer, but the alternator test should help figure out the issue.

 

Well I went to Autozone and got a new alternator and got a full refund for my old one as well. Not sure why but the lady at the counter didn't even bother testing it. But either way I have not seen the Check Charging System since!

 

fingers crossed!

 

Well after having the new alternator in for a week, I have not seen the Check Charging System come back even once. I am pretty confident this has solved the problem! Thank you to everyone who gave me advice!

 

Gratz on your fix!