where do I start to troubleshoot a system failure for a 2004 pontiac grand prix?

Question

chrging sytem failure sensor light on

Answer 1

First check that there a belt on the alternator pulley.
Need a Test/Volt meter. Set on 20 Volts DC. Put black lead on Battery Negative and red lead on Battery Positive. It will probably measure low, if the car not charging. May be around 10 Volts. Crank the car and the meter should show around 13 Volts, if not it most likely the Alternator. If, it show 13 volts then the battery may need tested.
Most auto parts stores can check without removing anything if you can get the car to them.

Answer 2

The easiest way for you to check it is to drive the car to autozone oreillys etc and have them test the charging system -- it is free-- do not remove the battery cable with the engine running --someone will tell you to --a 1980's yes but the new ones no because the design of the electrical system and computors it may fry the cpu and/or other components in the electrical system-- The test takes may be 5 min and they will tell you what is wrong. If the batt is dead take it out and down to them they will charge it and test it for free also check the batt terminals first they could be loose or corroded and that may be what is tripping on the light but more likely it is the voltage regulator (inside the alt) messing up--good luck

Answer 3

more than likely its the alternator going out on it,or done gone out,everything is built in to the alternator on those,so usually if it stops charging you take the alternator off and have it checked,any parts store will do this for free,its one good way to find out if that's the problem with it,good luck on it.

Answer 4

Dodge man is correct.Have the alt checked.