[Z06] Charge System Fault Message
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 983
Likes: 23
From: Northeast Ohio
I have a 02 bone stock Z with 15,000 miles. For about the last yr, almost everytime I start the car my gauge selection (oil temp) resets to the odometer. I have gotten the charging system error a number of those times. If I drive the car everyday, none of this happens.
I have noticed that even times I get a reset when I turn the key on, it's still set to Oil temp, but engaging the starter, resets the gauges.
I suspect my problem is that battery voltage drops below some value needed by the DIC during a start, forcing a reset, and generating an error some of those times.
I have noticed that even times I get a reset when I turn the key on, it's still set to Oil temp, but engaging the starter, resets the gauges.
I suspect my problem is that battery voltage drops below some value needed by the DIC during a start, forcing a reset, and generating an error some of those times.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
I had no problems until after i had to run the red charging lead from the alternator straight to the battery.because my stereo system was pulling too much current for the connection at the starter to handle and was melting the connection. Now i get it everytime i start the car but it goes away right after car starts. I have the new alternator by the way.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Palm Harbor FL
charge fault msg
I have had this message appear intermittently since I bought the car new 2 years ago. Dealer finds nothing wrong with the charging system. I wouldn't change the alternator unless the system was not charging.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
Likes: 66
From: Hurst, TX USA
I've had 4 C5s, including one Z06. I saw this message a lot on the Z06, never on the 2000, or my 2004 CE but now I am getting them on my current 2004. They always clear and don't come back while driving. On my Z06 they got more and more frequent until one day it wouldn't start. Once I got it started, fiddling with the key, it never had the problem again. (But then I traded it a couple weeks later, so I don't know long term). All my C5s were stock and had stock alternators and batteries.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
Likes: 8
From: CT
Originally Posted by Shylor
I got the "charge system fault" message the other day after I started the car. It went right away though.
Same thing happened to me the other morning. I was like
Mmmmm kay?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,251
Likes: 217
From: 2007 Nat'l Corvette Challenge 11.50 index Champ. New Jersey
Originally Posted by Jay 383
Same thing happened to me the other morning. I was likeMmmmm kay?
Ron
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,824
Likes: 1
From: Middleboro Massachusetts
Charge System Fault
I have a 2003 ZO6
I had a charge system fault over the weekend. The PCM will open the alternator circuits L1 and L2 and display a PO1637 and PO1638 code due to an open or short in the system. This will result in low battery voltage due to the lack of alternator charging by the PCM on circuits L1 and L2. It will act just like a bad alternator, so beware. (The engine will not run with the battery disconnected like a bad alternator) I checked all the grounds. It turned out to be an open in the battery circuit at the starter. Must have come loose after my header install. After I tightened the nut, checked the DIC, charge system fault was gone, PO1637 and PO1638 were history. Alternator is charging again, problem solved. Before this, I had never seen a charge system fault message since the car was new, even if it had sat for a week.
I had a charge system fault over the weekend. The PCM will open the alternator circuits L1 and L2 and display a PO1637 and PO1638 code due to an open or short in the system. This will result in low battery voltage due to the lack of alternator charging by the PCM on circuits L1 and L2. It will act just like a bad alternator, so beware. (The engine will not run with the battery disconnected like a bad alternator) I checked all the grounds. It turned out to be an open in the battery circuit at the starter. Must have come loose after my header install. After I tightened the nut, checked the DIC, charge system fault was gone, PO1637 and PO1638 were history. Alternator is charging again, problem solved. Before this, I had never seen a charge system fault message since the car was new, even if it had sat for a week.
Last edited by zo6vetteman2003; Sep 11, 2005 at 10:53 PM.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by neile
Bob I am of the impression that this is a rather bogus error message for late model Z06's. I experience this error message about 30% of the time upon starting the '03 after it has set for longer then overnight. It clears within a few seconds of starting the car and leaves no codes set in memory. The charging system checks out okay and the battery also checks okay. I have had this error message almost from day one and the car has 19K+ miles and is 20 months old.
Now I would be interested in learning what logic is in the software that brings this code up.
Neil.
Now I would be interested in learning what logic is in the software that brings this code up.
Neil.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,057
Likes: 3,590
From: Central MO
I have an 03 vert, it's a daily driver, and have had the fault happen twice since I purchased it in August. It immediately cleared and there were no stored codes so I didn't worry about it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,509
Likes: 726
From: Sausalito CA
Follow-up
Bob and any others....any word from GM on this.
I thought two things....since my red top is 3 yrs old (but tests/works great) that I should exchange it for a new one.
Some type of capacitor (sp) to take the extra volts the new alt. is sending to the battery.
Bob and any others....any word from GM on this.
I thought two things....since my red top is 3 yrs old (but tests/works great) that I should exchange it for a new one.
Some type of capacitor (sp) to take the extra volts the new alt. is sending to the battery.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 864
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
I have a 2003 EB Z06 with 3,000 miles that I purchased new July 2003. Sometimes the car sits in my garage for a couple of weeks before I take it out again. I get this message for about two seconds almost every time I start the car after it has sat for more than a week. I had it to two different dealers and both said that no codes were stored and didn't know why it happens. Other than this message appearing several times the car is great.
