What does this message mean?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 195
From: Boxford Massachusetts
What does this message mean?
Yesterday when starting up my car this message showed up on my dash for a few seconds and then disappeared: "Charge system fault". It has happened once or twice before.
What does it mean? What should I do?
All advice gratefully received.
What does it mean? What should I do?
All advice gratefully received.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,439
Likes: 2,183
From: Buffalo Texas
DO NOT REPLACE YOUR ALT WITH A REBUILT ONE, have yours fixed if that indeed is the problem !!!!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nd-issues.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nd-issues.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,072
From: Wisconsin
Mine did that a couple times a few years ago. Cleaned and tightened terminals and started using a tender when it sat for awhile. Never did it again.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
AS PER THE OWNERS MANUAL, seeing that message is NOT an issue as long as it not an every day occurrence and it goes out shortly after it comes on. If it were my car, I wouldn't worry about it unless you see it frequently and or it stays on for an extended period of time after starting the car!
I agree with checking all the positive battery terminals "Starter solenoid, Battery Positive terminal and the BATT terminal on the back of the alternator for a secure/clean / tight conection. DO NOT EVER give your OEM alternator to the parts place as a core!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Read the battery voltage (engine running) at the battery cables with a Volt meter.
BC
I agree with checking all the positive battery terminals "Starter solenoid, Battery Positive terminal and the BATT terminal on the back of the alternator for a secure/clean / tight conection. DO NOT EVER give your OEM alternator to the parts place as a core!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Read the battery voltage (engine running) at the battery cables with a Volt meter.
BC
Pro
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 552
Likes: 86
From: Philly area PA
Why are you so emphatic about this Bill?
Last edited by imjdoggie; Sep 19, 2016 at 11:43 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Leesburg Fl
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '14,'18
That happened to me recently momentarily and hasn't happened again.
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AS PER THE OWNERS MANUAL, seeing that message is NOT an issue as long as it not an every day occurrence and it goes out shortly after it comes on. If it were my car, I wouldn't worry about it unless you see it frequently and or it stays on for an extended period of time after starting the car!
I agree with checking all the positive battery terminals "Starter solenoid, Battery Positive terminal and the BATT terminal on the back of the alternator for a secure/clean / tight conection. DO NOT EVER give your OEM alternator to the parts place as a core!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Read the battery voltage (engine running) at the battery cables with a Volt meter.
BC
I agree with checking all the positive battery terminals "Starter solenoid, Battery Positive terminal and the BATT terminal on the back of the alternator for a secure/clean / tight conection. DO NOT EVER give your OEM alternator to the parts place as a core!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Read the battery voltage (engine running) at the battery cables with a Volt meter.
BC
It's happened to mine a few times. It has not be a regular occurrence and has not affected my use of the car.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 525
Likes: 21
This is my belief, not what I know for sure so take it with a grain of salt. I have gotten that message a few times and always when the car has sat for a while. I believe that the car is momentarily picking up the low battery voltage right when it is started, then as the alternator brings the voltage to where it needs to be (within a few seconds) the car sees that all operations are normal and the message goes away. I have never worried about that message when I have seen it...