[Z06] Charge System Fault
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Behind the Orange Curtain, So Cal
Charge System Fault
My 2003 Z06 gives me the following message (sometimes, not always) when I start the car "Charge System Fault". Any ideas what this could mean? Do I need a new battery, or??? Thanks in advance. 
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Central Florida
Originally Posted by Blooty
My 2003 Z06 gives me the following message (sometimes, not always) when I start the car "Charge System Fault". Any ideas what this could mean? Do I need a new battery, or??? Thanks in advance.
Think...Optima Red Top.
Ranger
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Central Florida
Happy to lend a hand, Blooty.
Should add that when the battery finally fails, it does so with little or no further warning. Mine worked fine right to failure, leaving me stranded the evening before Thanksgiving, searching for a battery. Started fine to the very end. Only retrospective sign of impending failure was the "charge fault" DIC message.
Ranger
Should add that when the battery finally fails, it does so with little or no further warning. Mine worked fine right to failure, leaving me stranded the evening before Thanksgiving, searching for a battery. Started fine to the very end. Only retrospective sign of impending failure was the "charge fault" DIC message.
Ranger
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Behind the Orange Curtain, So Cal
Anything special I need to know in regards to installing an Optima Red Top battery? I saw the thread on that but don't know (off the top of my head) why it would be any different than the OEM battery that's in there.....and...I found a blue cover for it so it can match my car...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
Hey Blooty,
Still had the links on my puter...
Here is a link that helped me select the right Optima. and Some purchase and installation tips. and the installation how-to in post #3 of this thread
Before you pay, suggest having the store check the voltage of the new battery and that the hold-downs are present and affixed in a plastic bag.
Ranger
Still had the links on my puter...
Here is a link that helped me select the right Optima. and Some purchase and installation tips. and the installation how-to in post #3 of this thread
Before you pay, suggest having the store check the voltage of the new battery and that the hold-downs are present and affixed in a plastic bag.
Ranger
Last edited by Ranger; May 9, 2006 at 01:38 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 2
From: Tallahassee FL
As mentioned in a similar thread:
I got this fault after I had headers installed. Apparently the tech forgot to tighten down the ground for the alternator. I also pulled out the plug on the alternator and sprayed it down with contact cleaner.
Haven't had the error since then. Are you getting generator codes? In the manual the only two things that cause them are the wiring harness (plugs on the alternator and the starter, and ground) and a bad PCM. Wiring harness is most likely culprit, in my opinion.
Good luck!
Now with that being said, I did replace my battery as well. But that was because twice I got a slow crank on the starter before it caught. I took that as a warning. I've had the car for 7 months and didn't have any idea how old the battery was. Bought an Exide Orbital for it, which got pretty high marks from people.
I got this fault after I had headers installed. Apparently the tech forgot to tighten down the ground for the alternator. I also pulled out the plug on the alternator and sprayed it down with contact cleaner.
Haven't had the error since then. Are you getting generator codes? In the manual the only two things that cause them are the wiring harness (plugs on the alternator and the starter, and ground) and a bad PCM. Wiring harness is most likely culprit, in my opinion.
Good luck!
Now with that being said, I did replace my battery as well. But that was because twice I got a slow crank on the starter before it caught. I took that as a warning. I've had the car for 7 months and didn't have any idea how old the battery was. Bought an Exide Orbital for it, which got pretty high marks from people.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Behind the Orange Curtain, So Cal
Originally Posted by Rich Z
I also pulled out the plug on the alternator and sprayed it down with contact cleaner.
Are you getting generator codes? Wiring harness is most likely culprit, in my opinion.
Are you getting generator codes? Wiring harness is most likely culprit, in my opinion.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Central Florida
Originally Posted by Blooty
I'm not getting anything except an occassional message when I start the car "charge system fault". Car starts fine, runs fine...so I dunno. Maybe I will just go buy a battery to be on the safe side. The trick will be whether or not I can install it with the one or two wrenches I own.
With this as background, you might want to check your reach and access before starting the process and ensure the right tools are available.
Ranger
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Behind the Orange Curtain, So Cal
hmmmmm. Maybe I will just take the battery somewhere and have a Mr. Tool Time install it for me. One of these days I will get some wrenches. I've got plenty of screw drivers, though. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Admit Nothing, Deny Everything, Make Counter Accusations.
I get that message from time to time if my car sits for a while. I have been getting this since my car was new and my battery is still fine.
These cars do not really need an Optima battery. If you decide to get a new battery then I would not go out of my way to get one.
These cars do not really need an Optima battery. If you decide to get a new battery then I would not go out of my way to get one.
