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:thumbs:

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

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-Ass Guess). :D

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...

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. :confused2:

What connector?

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:thumbs:

http://image.corvettefever.com/f/937...alternator.jpg

Sometimes the connector (plug) gets corroded and dirty. Might just need cleaning.

:iagree: 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. :cheers:

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-Ass Guess).


:iagree:
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.

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.

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 had this on occasion. It turned out to be a loose battery terminal wire.

Don’t recall seeing this message since the battery was replaced about 4 years ago. Not sure if that’s the cure all cases.

Overheating
 

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. :cheers:

* Oh *... And it sounds like you need a serpentine belt...

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.

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?

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