"Service Charging System"
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Alameda Ca
"Service Charging System"
So I recently upgraded my complete stereo system.
When i go on long drives, I get the "Service Charging System" notice on my dashboard.
I watch both the analog gauge and the digital gauge for the battery, and it does not ever drop below 13.6, so i know it is charging.
I also upgraded to the GM high output alternator around the same time.
Does anyone else get this message? Anyway to prevent it from going on, besides leaving my stereo off? It makes an annoying Chime every few minutes, when its on.
If i turn the stereo off, the message goes away.
When i go on long drives, I get the "Service Charging System" notice on my dashboard.
I watch both the analog gauge and the digital gauge for the battery, and it does not ever drop below 13.6, so i know it is charging.
I also upgraded to the GM high output alternator around the same time.
Does anyone else get this message? Anyway to prevent it from going on, besides leaving my stereo off? It makes an annoying Chime every few minutes, when its on.
If i turn the stereo off, the message goes away.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
Check the power and ground wires going to your amp, make sure all of the connections are good and tight, and that they are making proper metal to metal contact. Also check all of the terminals on the alternator, battery, starter, and frame ground to battery. Since the problem goes away if you turn off the radio, I'd guess an amp power or ground wire isn't making good contact.
My '07 would give the occasional 'serv chg sys' alarm if I was idling for long periods of time, I couldn't find any other issues so I got a DC Power HO alternator. Problem solved
My '07 would give the occasional 'serv chg sys' alarm if I was idling for long periods of time, I couldn't find any other issues so I got a DC Power HO alternator. Problem solved
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Alameda Ca
Guess I can try and double check the grounds, maybe its grounded in a bad spot.
I believe thats the same alternator I got.
Just wierd, only happens on the longer drives i go on, I didn't time it, but seems like if i am driving for longer than about an hour so, and have the radio on.
I believe thats the same alternator I got.
Just wierd, only happens on the longer drives i go on, I didn't time it, but seems like if i am driving for longer than about an hour so, and have the radio on.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 2
From: Fort Knox
What size of alty did you get from them? Is it adjustable? I've been considering pulling the trigger on one from DC simply because their testing methods for their builds are no BS.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
The only possible bad thing I might say about it is that it works too well. The car controls the output voltage, which at idle would just stay at max output with the oem alternator, but this thing puts out 14.8v all the time (even at idle with A/C and radio both cranked). I blew several sets of LED bulbs before I realized the higher voltage was cooking them. A few resistors to drop voltage at the bulbs fixed that problem.
It was mostly a straight swap, but the + post was on the opposite side of the alt, so I had to slightly trim the plastic fuel rail cover to make it fit without rubbing. I also had to cut the metal mounting sleeves on the new alt since DC Power sent me the wrong ones for a C6, but that wasn't a big deal, and they should know which ones to use now.
