Charge fault system
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
Charge fault system
So I have an 03 20k on it. I got the dreaded charge fault system. I started by replacing the battery. That did not fix it I ran the voltmeter it read 12.6 and cleared all my low voltage codes. I started it started great. The charge fault came on again. I then checked the volts while running. They were at 12.6. Bright it up to 2500 rpms stayed 12.6. So now I am thinking alternator. I pull it and got it tested its fine tested normal. I will be putting it back on again tomorrow. I looked at the connector it seems fine no exposed wires and the pins are straight. The alternator guy said he had to tighten a few thing up and tested was reading perfec he said. My question is after I install alt back on and it says it again where should I look to?
Help me please
Help me please
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
I tried to offer some insight with post #8 in your other thread on this issue:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...lternator.html
I guess you either didn't read the post or think the post (only 3 sentences long and a link to pictures of where the problem likely is located, which is VERY short for me) doesn't provide sufficient detail to know where to start looking.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...lternator.html
I guess you either didn't read the post or think the post (only 3 sentences long and a link to pictures of where the problem likely is located, which is VERY short for me) doesn't provide sufficient detail to know where to start looking.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
The electrical path for the charging system on the C5 is a made up of fairly heavy gauge wire from the output terminal on the alternator to a connection point on the starter and a sensing wire from the alternator to the same location on the starter. Both wires have a fuseable link just before the ends of the wires that connect to the starter. The positive cable from the battery also connects to that same point (stud with a nut as shown in the pictures in the link I provided in the previous post) on the starter. We know the car starts (from your other thread) so the cable from the battery to the starter is not suspect. But since the output voltage from the alternator (14.8 volts) is NOT seen at the battery wher you measure only 12.6 volts, then the wires from the alternator and/or their physical connection to the starter are suspect.
NOT an uncommon failure on the c5 for the nut/stud to buildup a lot of corrosion such that the voltage from the starter does not have a complete electrical path so the battery fails to charge. Additionally the fuseable link(also shown in the pictures in the referenced link) is known to fail.
I strongly suggest that you carefully inspect the connection point on the starter where the wires in question come together and carefully look at the edge of the fuseable link for indications of failure. Again I reference the link in your other thread.
NOT an uncommon failure on the c5 for the nut/stud to buildup a lot of corrosion such that the voltage from the starter does not have a complete electrical path so the battery fails to charge. Additionally the fuseable link(also shown in the pictures in the referenced link) is known to fail.
I strongly suggest that you carefully inspect the connection point on the starter where the wires in question come together and carefully look at the edge of the fuseable link for indications of failure. Again I reference the link in your other thread.
