427Z0SX

Occasionally, maybe once or twice a year, while driving I'd see Service Charging System flash on the DIC. (The car is a 2006 Z06). The message would appear for about 2 seconds then disappear. In the last 6 months, the battery (bought new at AutoZone) has died twice, the 2nd time was this morning. My car has an aftermarket audio system, but I don't crank it up loud all the time, and the stereo is never on with Retained Accessory Power. What's the first thing to look for in diagnosing this problem?
Thanks,

EVRose

What was your voltage reading the last time it was running, if you remember? Maybe your alternator is dying.

427Z0SX

Honestly I don't remember. However, since the battery died the 1st time, I would glance at the voltage gauge more often than I had in the past (never ). It was within the "good" range the few times I did look, but that was a couple months ago. I didn't look the preceding few days before today, so maybe it was on the low side, who knows. I think what I'm gonna do is take the battery back to Autozone for a recharge, they wouldn't give me a brand new replacement last time. Then I'll be watching that voltage gauge like a hawk for the next several weeks. Suppose the alternator is dying, is it advisable to get a new one, or is a used one an option?

Thanks,

EVRose

I think any time you get a "new" one it ends up being a rebuilt anyway.

Homer3D

My 2005 got the "Service Charging System" message since the day I bought it (new). Had both the dealer and my own personal mechanic check it. Nothing wrong with the alternator or battery. I just chalked it up to the electrical gremlins in the C6. My battery did die once (DBS) but I recharged it and hooked it up to a tender and never had a problem ever since.

Even after changing the battery to an Optima, I would still get that message from time to time.

C U IN REARVEIW

i heard that certain plugs will set that message off...which ones?

VET4LES

Mad*Max

I was getting this message in my car when it was a few days old and the dealer changed the alternator for me, never had a dead battery but might have corrected the problem before it got too bad.