New owner/code on DIC
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 263
Likes: 22
From: Batavia IL
New owner/code on DIC
I am a new owner of a 99 coupe. Started her up for a night drive and saw charge system failure on the dic. It went away when I shifted to reverse and didnt come back. I shut down the car and let sit and re-started, no message, what gives? Any idea's.
Regards,
Happy in Black
Regards,
Happy in Black
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: Raymore, i.e., Kansas City MO
Rick,
I've gotten that message myself a couple of times. Mine is an 01. I've only had it 5 months, but it happened shortly after I bought it. I'm surprised yours started with that message. Mine didn't. I removed the key, put it back in and it started fine. It happened a second time when I stopped at McDonalds, went inside, and came back out. Same scenario. Removed the key, reinserted it and it started.
I got some advice from another forum member that actually solved the intermittant problem. He suggested that the "pellet" on the key was dirty and to clean it with rubbing alcohol. I did that, and the problem has never come up again.
The funny part is that when mine did it I turned the key, the seat started moving to its memory position, all the guages came on, but no starter sound. Then the DIC message.
Try cleaning the pellet and see if that helps stop it. If not, you may need to use the same process with a q-tip in the ignition.
Hope that helps, and I hope you never have that problem again.
Michael in KC
I've gotten that message myself a couple of times. Mine is an 01. I've only had it 5 months, but it happened shortly after I bought it. I'm surprised yours started with that message. Mine didn't. I removed the key, put it back in and it started fine. It happened a second time when I stopped at McDonalds, went inside, and came back out. Same scenario. Removed the key, reinserted it and it started.
I got some advice from another forum member that actually solved the intermittant problem. He suggested that the "pellet" on the key was dirty and to clean it with rubbing alcohol. I did that, and the problem has never come up again.
The funny part is that when mine did it I turned the key, the seat started moving to its memory position, all the guages came on, but no starter sound. Then the DIC message.
Try cleaning the pellet and see if that helps stop it. If not, you may need to use the same process with a q-tip in the ignition.
Hope that helps, and I hope you never have that problem again.
Michael in KC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: The line waiting to see Santa Claus stretched all the way back to Terre Haute, and I was at the end, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
A charge system failure message frequently indicates a problem with the battery. Either it wasn't fully charged or there was some other problem. I have received this message on both my 99 and my wife's 01 several times. Almost every time, a battery cable was loose. Once, there was a loose cable on the alternator and twice was after the car had been sitting for a while and the battery charge was low.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: Raymore, i.e., Kansas City MO
If the battery cable was loose wouldn't it affect the rest of the electrical system, like the guages, the seats, the radio, etc? And why would it start up the second time it was cranked? I'm still betting it's the key pellet. (Only from my own experience.) But it's possible it could be cable.
Just wondering.
Michael
Just wondering.
Michael
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 7
From: Bucks County Pa
Charge System Fault
Hi, from the fsm is a description of when the dic sends the Charge system fault.
CHARGE SYSTEM FAULT
The IPC illuminates the CHARGE SYSTEM FAULT indicator in the message center when the following occurs:
The PCM detects that there is a problem with the electrical charging system. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the PCM.
If the tachometer is less than 500 RPM and the power mode state is in the crank mode then this message will not be displayed. Instead the CHECK GAGES indicator will illuminate.
The underlying reason could be one of many. It's best to start with the easiest first.
1, Load test the battery to confirm it is good
2, Check the batt cables for cleanliness and tightness, at the batt, the one on the starter post, and the one going to the fuse block under the batt box.
Check the connections at the alt, and the ones at the starter solenoid post.
4, Check the star grounds on the frame rail, and the g104 ground under the batt box, and the batt ground strap going to the engine.
5, if all the wires, cables, connections and grounds are clean and tight, then you may have to look at the alt and reg themselves.
Most of the time these messages are the result of a loose cable or dirty ground.
Good Luck
CHARGE SYSTEM FAULT
The IPC illuminates the CHARGE SYSTEM FAULT indicator in the message center when the following occurs:
The PCM detects that there is a problem with the electrical charging system. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the PCM.
If the tachometer is less than 500 RPM and the power mode state is in the crank mode then this message will not be displayed. Instead the CHECK GAGES indicator will illuminate.
The underlying reason could be one of many. It's best to start with the easiest first.
1, Load test the battery to confirm it is good
2, Check the batt cables for cleanliness and tightness, at the batt, the one on the starter post, and the one going to the fuse block under the batt box.
Check the connections at the alt, and the ones at the starter solenoid post.
4, Check the star grounds on the frame rail, and the g104 ground under the batt box, and the batt ground strap going to the engine.
5, if all the wires, cables, connections and grounds are clean and tight, then you may have to look at the alt and reg themselves.
Most of the time these messages are the result of a loose cable or dirty ground.
Good Luck
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Thats some great advice for you from bestvettever.
I had the same caption maybe 3 years ago and it never came back. It was about the time my battery died but that could have been coincidence. The original AC Delco batteries are well known for leaking (pre 2001). the later AC Delcos are well known for dieing without warning. You may want to change your battery on spec if its the oiginal. Equally it could be just a power glitch from the alternator.
The key doesn't affect that caption. The VATS system is entirely different.
Other than that I'd say just run with it unless it starts to occur more regularly.
I had the same caption maybe 3 years ago and it never came back. It was about the time my battery died but that could have been coincidence. The original AC Delco batteries are well known for leaking (pre 2001). the later AC Delcos are well known for dieing without warning. You may want to change your battery on spec if its the oiginal. Equally it could be just a power glitch from the alternator.
The key doesn't affect that caption. The VATS system is entirely different.
Other than that I'd say just run with it unless it starts to occur more regularly.
Last edited by DeeGee; Aug 14, 2008 at 12:19 AM.
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 7
From: Bucks County Pa
Grounds
Good Luck
(1) G302 --Pass side pillar next to rear of front seat behind trim.
(2) G402 --In trunk pass side frame rail behind trim.
(3) G401 --Driver side in trunk frame rail behind trim
(4) G205 and G301 --Driver side pillar next to seat back behind trim.
(5) G201 driver side box section near firewall and door pillar.
(6) Grounding Point for Engine Ground Strap --driver side frame next to wheel well
(7) G101 driver side frame rail near front, star ground
(8) G102 --pass side frame rail near front, star ground
(9) G104 and G108 -Under batt box on frame near engine top
Last edited by bestvettever; Aug 14, 2008 at 12:50 AM. Reason: ADD IMAGE