tak06

I have a '02 C5Z with 8300 miles. Always on a battery tender when not driven and a new AC Delco battery. The display usually shows 14.2 Volts consistently, however, I frequently get the message "Service Charging System" flash momentarily on my display then immediately changes to the normal odometer display, any ideas if I actually do have a fault or just a momentary brain fart by the computer. I immediately check the voltage and it still reads 14 - 14.2 volts.

DeeGee

Any codes showing?

dgrant3830

If its switching back to the Odometer by itself, then you are losing battery power to the fuse boxes. I would look at the starter solenoid connection which is where the battery, alternator, fuse boxes and of course the starter, all come together. Do not forget that its electrically hot down there unless you disconnect the negative battery cable first.

tak06

No codes appear. I"ll check the solenoid/starter connections.

mcgilles

Any pictures of what I'm looking for?

I have the same problem. occasionally (handful of times per year) I get a Charge System Fault and a beep shortly after startup. if I leave it alone it will clear all by itself (although mine I'm pretty sure resets to whatever I had before) never any codes. last time was a couple days ago, noticed the B+ voltage down in the low 13's, but it climbed back up to mid 14s over the next few minutes.

lucky131969

Close.........but no cigar. The solenoid has a total of 4 wires:

On the "B" terminal: Red, Rust, Gray.
Red from the battery, Rust and Gray from the alternator.

On the "S" terminal: Purple
Purple is from the TDR.

A separate red wire from the positive battery cable, goes to the underhood fusebox, and is bussed with the feed for the passenger footwell fuesbox. The connection for the fuse boxes is NOT at the solenoid.

dgrant3830

Darn, I've been telling people wrongly for a long time then.

tak06

That's basically what happens to mine but I don't hear any beeps and the voltage is in the hi 13's to low 14volts when I check it right after that happens, I wonder if the Battery tender is screwing up the computer?

Vicarious.

Mine has started doing this as well. Could this just be a dying battery?

tak06

Dont think so, mine's a new AC Delco battery.

GEMcLean

I get the same thing occasionally. Just comes and goes with no apparent issues associated.

Bob Chapman

I get that message on my DIC maybe 3 -4 times a year. No codes - no problems. I have a pretty fresh battery. I wouldn't worry about it.

skeeters65

I jsut had a thread about this yesterday.
Seemed like it happens. Just check all the connections and make sure they are tight and not corroded.

Vicarious.

What does it mean if my battery drops to around 11 volts at start up and slowly creeps up to 13v ?

Is this an indication of a short to ground somewhere or faulty electrical component?

It's started giving me the message on every start up now, and doesn't seem to go away anymore.

Maybe PCM going bad?

tak06

Maybe we are overlooking exactly what the DIC is indicating "Charging system fault", a faulty alternator/regular and or connections to it. Put a ohm meter across the battery terminals rev the engine and you should see the voltage indicator increase in conjunction with the revs, if alternator/regulator is functioning properly.

dougbfresh

If you don't keep the car on a trickle charger all the time, after a week or 2 of not driving it, it can appear.

tak06

Mine is plugged into a battery tender after each ride, voltage usually indicates 14.2 volts before starting the car and I still occasionally get the message.

Big_George_S

Dito for me. I get this occasionally, I use a trickel charger if I'm out for two weeks or more. Lately I've been driving it to the airport on Monday morning and picking it up on Thursday night, no charger. I saw the message a couple of weeks ago but haven't seen it since. I've checked the wiring everything seems tight.

No Codes. I've gotten use to just ignoring it.

David426

This is common.. I had the same problem on my 99 C5 and my current C5 Z06. I get the message once a month with no codes.. Never had a problem with either car.

FYRARMS

My 62K '03 C5Z has a brand new battery in it, and I get the same message maybe once every 3 weeks. It is only at startup, first thing in the morning. I noticed it only gives the message if the car fires RIGHT when I turn the key. Almost like the car started too quickly. LOL

The message disappears instantly, and no codes are thrown. I have been told to not be concerned about it.