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Charging system fault?

Old 02-18-2012, 09:51 AM
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C5Wolfe
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Default Charging system fault?

I've gotton this message on the "dic" display off and on for 3 years and have found out that my "99" has the 140 amp alternator made in Mexico instead of the 110 amp one made in France that most every early c-5 I've seen have. I'm so sick of this message popping up that I am thinking about buying a 110 amp alternator for the car!
Question, Will this fix the problem or not? Has any one had this problem and fixed it?
Thanks, Dave
Old 02-18-2012, 10:12 AM
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Mr.Bill
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I have seen that message pop up on a few C5s in the past and it has always been at startup, In most cases it was because of a low battery after sitting over night, Is that when you see your message? I do know I have read that the 140 amp alt isn't compatable with all the C5 cars.
Mr.Bill
Old 02-18-2012, 01:47 PM
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Bluefire
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I have seen it on my 03 Coupe also. My theory: It only seems to happen when I am a little too quick releasing the key on a start. Almost like the "system" didn't get enough time to read some voltage. That's my SWAG. (Scientific Wild-*** Guess).
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Old 02-18-2012, 02:41 PM
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I know this may be considered a sin, but I've gotten some odd electrical messages, and even weird background radio noise, with the radio off, when I was caught in a sudden rain storm...
Old 02-18-2012, 02:56 PM
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NorCalVette Kid
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I have had that problem. I removed the connector and plugged it back in, kinda giggled it a bit. Try checking your connectors and cable?? Could be a bad connection.
Old 02-18-2012, 04:38 PM
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65GGvert
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Originally Posted by NorCalVette Kid
I have had that problem. I removed the connector and plugged it back in, kinda giggled it a bit. Try checking your connectors and cable?? Could be a bad connection.
What connector?
Old 02-18-2012, 06:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr.Bill
I have seen that message pop up on a few C5s in the past and it has always been at startup, In most cases it was because of a low battery after sitting over night, Is that when you see your message? I do know I have read that the 140 amp alt isn't compatable with all the C5 cars.
Mr.Bill
Mine does it at any time, not just start up! It will do it just driving down the road. Sometimes 2 or 3 times in one day and sometimes once a week or so. A mechanic at the local dealership said the charging system was fine but said it might be the alternator was putting out to much amps. I just wondered if any one has ever solved this problem?
Thanks Bill
Old 02-18-2012, 07:06 PM
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NorCalVette Kid
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Originally Posted by 65GGvert
What connector?


Sometimes the connector (plug) gets corroded and dirty. Might just need cleaning.
Old 02-22-2012, 06:18 PM
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KenShores
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Originally Posted by Bluefire
I have seen it on my 03 Coupe also. My theory: It only seems to happen when I am a little too quick releasing the key on a start. Almost like the "system" didn't get enough time to read some voltage. That's my SWAG. (Scientific Wild-*** Guess).
Me too! My 02 has done this maybe three times in three years. This explains the exact condition that it has happened to me. I don't fret over it, anymore.
Old 02-22-2012, 10:38 PM
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03newjersey
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluefire
I have seen it on my 03 Coupe also. My theory: It only seems to happen when I am a little too quick releasing the key on a start. Almost like the "system" didn't get enough time to read some voltage. That's my SWAG. (Scientific Wild-*** Guess).


Originally Posted by KenShores
Me too! My 02 has done this maybe three times in three years. This explains the exact condition that it has happened to me. I don't fret over it, anymore.

This happens once in a while if I don't turn the key all the way/properly. Usually it happens when I'm really tired after work. It always starts though, nothing to worry about.
Old 02-23-2012, 12:07 PM
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seu318
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I would def check that plug in the picture Norcalvette posted above. I had the same message start displaying immediately after changing my sparkplugs. Went back over the job again to see what I might have done, since I was not getting the message before the sparkplug job, and reasoned that I must've leaned on or hit that plug on the alternator. I unplugged it, flipped it over and saw it was corroded a bit. Cleaned it up, applied a dab of dielectric grease, seated it back in the plug socket, and never got the charge system fault message again. Check it.
Old 02-23-2012, 01:11 PM
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Jeff W
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From what I've read, yes the early year C5s need the correct amperage alternator. My 02 had this problem 2 weeks ago and my problem was burnt contacts in the ignition switch.
Old 02-23-2012, 01:22 PM
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I had this on occasion. It turned out to be a loose battery terminal wire.
Old 02-23-2012, 02:06 PM
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Don’t recall seeing this message since the battery was replaced about 4 years ago. Not sure if that’s the cure all cases.
Old 08-22-2016, 02:35 PM
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Default Overheating

Originally Posted by 8VETTE7
I've had the Charge System Fault pop up on my 04 a few times and not certain what the cause is. Nothing i have been able to associate with it's coming up. Seems to be just another of those annoying messages. I swear the GM Elactrical engineers that worked on the C5 were imported from Lucas Electric....

I keep the car on a tender when not being driven so I don't think mine is from low battery.
I have an '04 also, and yesterday it overheated very quickly and I lost partial steering. I made it home, but don't know why that happened. Any help would be appreciated.....I'm stranded🙁
Old 08-22-2016, 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by BuffyPalomar
I have an '04 also, and yesterday it overheated very quickly and I lost partial steering. I made it home, but don't know why that happened. Any help would be appreciated.....I'm stranded🙁
Other than the fact that you have a 2004 Corvette, your issues have absolutely nothing to do with this 4 year old thread you just resurrected. You might want to consider posting a fresh thread, and clearly articulate the who-what-when-why-where and any other useful tidbits like what codes you have and... Well, enough said.
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Old 08-22-2016, 03:23 PM
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* Oh *... And it sounds like you need a serpentine belt...

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To Charging system fault?

Old 08-22-2016, 03:44 PM
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BuffyPalomar
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Originally Posted by Fed Up
Other than the fact that you have a 2004 Corvette, your issues have absolutely nothing to do with this 4 year old thread you just resurrected. You might want to consider posting a fresh thread, and clearly articulate the who-what-when-why-where and any other useful tidbits like what codes you have and... Well, enough said.
Wow, if this is the kind of responses I'm going to get, maybe this forum isn't for me. I am a new member as of yesterday, and I don't know all the ways of this site, so excuse me. My car broke down yesterday and I thought I could go here for some help, not criticism and sarcasm. I actually googled my car issue and this feed is where it took me. You have a nice day, now.
Old 08-22-2016, 03:53 PM
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Jeff T.
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Hmm, just a little edgy today...

Buffy - Top left of the C5 General page. Click on new topic. Post your issue and you will get help.

Good Luck!

BTW - Have you popped the hood and checked the belt?
Old 08-27-2016, 05:52 PM
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2001RedMetallicC5
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Originally Posted by Jeff W
From what I've read, yes the early year C5s need the correct amperage alternator. My 02 had this problem 2 weeks ago and my problem was burnt contacts in the ignition switch.
I got this message last night and it threw a bunch of history codes on the DIC...... Hopefully it's just the plug needed cleaned? The only thing I read here are the burnt contacts in the ignition switch..... where exactly is the ignition switch and what was the fix on this?

TIA!
Dell

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