the infamous charge system fault
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
the infamous charge system fault
Sooo, I got the infamous Charge system fault last night on my 03 Z06, so I kinda freaked out a bit , but know its nothing to serious, I got home to night spent a few hours checking my grounds which are all clean and good so I know its not in the grounds.
My next area was to test the alternator which last night I put my car on a battery tender and let it fully charge the battery, to the tune of 13.6 v...I disconnected the battery tender and then started my vette, with the ac on full, to find my both in car DIC as well as a volt meter both reading at 11.3 to 11.6 v and that did not change for the 5 to 8 minutes I had the car running...
So my next question is what are my options as far as a new alternator replacement, should I stick with the ac delco or are the ones are autozone ok?
My next area was to test the alternator which last night I put my car on a battery tender and let it fully charge the battery, to the tune of 13.6 v...I disconnected the battery tender and then started my vette, with the ac on full, to find my both in car DIC as well as a volt meter both reading at 11.3 to 11.6 v and that did not change for the 5 to 8 minutes I had the car running...
So my next question is what are my options as far as a new alternator replacement, should I stick with the ac delco or are the ones are autozone ok?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
I know you checked the grounds, but it could a problem in the positive side feed to the battery which goes to the starter first. Many have found a problem at the starter connection. Here is the circuit below. If you end up deciding to replace the alternator know that many people have had issues with ones that will not work with the C5. I have also posted a Thread for you to review. Let us know if you do or do not have codes related to this.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...post1585687398
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...post1585687398
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 859
Likes: 1
I recently had the problem that dadaroo mentioned, loose connection at the starter (except my symptoms were voltage spikes), tightened them up and it was good to go. I then began getting a charge system fault and p1637 code, and my dic voltage was reading low, however, not as low as yours was. Checked the starter again and found that the gray fusible link was exposed and frayed, so badly that it was only connected by a few threads of wire. I cut it, spliced it, re-connected and put heat shrink on it and my charge system fault and dic voltage issues were solved! Hope this helps you in your diagnosis, and I hope yours is a simple cheap fix like mine as well
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 10
From: Wake Forest NC
I'd wait till I saw the message three times before replacing parts. And if it takes a year for the third message, I'd ignore it.
I get the message every few months or so.
One reason for the condition's infamy lies in how you turn the key.
OTOH, if it happens several times over a month's course, you might have an actual physical failure coming up.
JM2C.
.
I get the message every few months or so.
One reason for the condition's infamy lies in how you turn the key.
OTOH, if it happens several times over a month's course, you might have an actual physical failure coming up.
JM2C.
.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Falls Church Virginia
I'd wait till I saw the message three times before replacing parts. And if it takes a year for the third message, I'd ignore it.
I get the message every few months or so.
One reason for the condition's infamy lies in how you turn the key.
OTOH, if it happens several times over a month's course, you might have an actual physical failure coming up.
JM2C.
.
I get the message every few months or so.
One reason for the condition's infamy lies in how you turn the key.
OTOH, if it happens several times over a month's course, you might have an actual physical failure coming up.
JM2C.
.
had same with my 03 I get the same message every few months or years. Always starts no problem and checked everything and was good to go. Went ahead and changed battery, not becuase it was bad but it was over eight years old. ThanksSGM
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: northern ca
St. Jude Donor '14
I'd wait till I saw the message three times before replacing parts. And if it takes a year for the third message, I'd ignore it.
I get the message every few months or so.
One reason for the condition's infamy lies in how you turn the key.
OTOH, if it happens several times over a month's course, you might have an actual physical failure coming up.
JM2C.
.
I get the message every few months or so.
One reason for the condition's infamy lies in how you turn the key.
OTOH, if it happens several times over a month's course, you might have an actual physical failure coming up.
JM2C.
.
Like the OP I panicked when I first got the code, started checking stuff, even changed my travel plans on a local trip (didn't drive it very far or at night) I still get the code every few month, never close together. How you turn the key on start up! That could be a good clue as it seems to be periodical and inconsistent as to how it pops up
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: Punta Gorda Florida
Don't worry unless it's every time you start it up. If I don't drive mine for several days, I'll get the CSF. It's been happening for years. Corvette batteries are small, it's a plastic car with multiple grounds, and famous for electrical "gremlins". Unless you are having other electrical problems, it's not a big deal.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
Thanks for the response's as for codes I did pull them only one I am getting is P1637.. I plan going to check the connections at the starter either tonight or tomorrow, and I am hoping that is all it is..
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
thanks for all the help thought I would post an update...after I checked and double checked as well as cleaned all my grounds..i turned my attention to my starter wires...which were pretty clean..but I went ahead and cleaned them any ways...so I order a brand new ac delco GM alt 145 amp...installed it...retested the whole system...my battery system is back up to normal operating range, so in my case the charge system fault was a faulty alt.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 10
From: Wake Forest NC
thanks for all the help thought I would post an update...after I checked and double checked as well as cleaned all my grounds..i turned my attention to my starter wires...which were pretty clean..but I went ahead and cleaned them any ways...so I order a brand new ac delco GM alt 145 amp...installed it...retested the whole system...my battery system is back up to normal operating range, so in my case the charge system fault was a faulty alt.
.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
well I have done a dozen start and stop cycles on her so far, so I hope this was the fix...cross's my fingers, as I have no lights coming on yet..i read a bit on how the key is turned part but I don't fully understand the concept behind that fully yet? can you provide a more insight on your theory as I am very curious about this topic
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,058
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
well I have done a dozen start and stop cycles on her so far, so I hope this was the fix...cross's my fingers, as I have no lights coming on yet..i read a bit on how the key is turned part but I don't fully understand the concept behind that fully yet? can you provide a more insight on your theory as I am very curious about this topic
...waiting to hear the answer/explaination about the key thing... 
Glad you resolved your problem so far...Merry Christmas! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 10
From: Wake Forest NC
I'd wait till I saw the message three times before replacing parts. And if it takes a year for the third message, I'd ignore it.
I get the message every few months or so.
One reason for the condition's infamy lies in how you turn the key.
OTOH, if it happens several times over a month's course, you might have an actual physical failure coming up.
JM2C.
.
I get the message every few months or so.
One reason for the condition's infamy lies in how you turn the key.
OTOH, if it happens several times over a month's course, you might have an actual physical failure coming up.
JM2C.
.
well I have done a dozen start and stop cycles on her so far, so I hope this was the fix...cross's my fingers, as I have no lights coming on yet..i read a bit on how the key is turned part but I don't fully understand the concept behind that fully yet? can you provide a more insight on your theory as I am very curious about this topic
Reference One, Reference Two, Reference Three, Reference Four.
Also my personal experience. After I first got the message, I had my battery replaced - it was the original and was 5 years old. Over the months I was still getting the message so I searched the forum and came upon those references. I still get the message every few months or so and I just ignore them.
Is there any validity to the "turning the key" theory? Who knows?? I'm sure under certain circumstances there's a mechanical indication such as a battery or an alternator. But it'd be a shame to still get the message after installing hundreds of dollars of needless parts.
.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
All I have is anecdotal evidence from this forum:
Reference One, Reference Two, Reference Three, Reference Four.
Also my personal experience. After I first got the message, I had my battery replaced - it was the original and was 5 years old. Over the months I was still getting the message so I searched the forum and came upon those references. I still get the message every few months or so and I just ignore them.
Is there any validity to the "turning the key" theory? Who knows?? I'm sure under certain circumstances there's a mechanical indication such as a battery or an alternator. But it'd be a shame to still get the message after installing hundreds of dollars of needless parts.
.
Reference One, Reference Two, Reference Three, Reference Four.
Also my personal experience. After I first got the message, I had my battery replaced - it was the original and was 5 years old. Over the months I was still getting the message so I searched the forum and came upon those references. I still get the message every few months or so and I just ignore them.
Is there any validity to the "turning the key" theory? Who knows?? I'm sure under certain circumstances there's a mechanical indication such as a battery or an alternator. But it'd be a shame to still get the message after installing hundreds of dollars of needless parts.
.