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Charge System Fault 2002 Z06

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Old Oct 31, 2005 | 04:08 PM
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Default Charge System Fault 2002 Z06

Displayed fault this morning and noticed voltage gauge moving from 11.9 to 16.2 volt. Would move up and then down and then back up.

This happened to me about a month ago and then went away. Pulled the alternator and had autozone check it and all was ok.

I just finished pulling the alternator for testing in the morning.

Has anyone had this problem with the culprit being something other than the alternator?

On a lighter note, joined some friends this past Sat. at Carolina Motorsport Race Park in Kershaw SC, spectator. There were a ton of vettes there including new Z06s and one C6 Race car powered by the LS7 engine. Awsome is all I can say. David Farmer drove the car. He has some fun video clips on his website, www.davidfarmerracing.com. He is a very good driver!

The big thrill was taking my Z06 on the 2 1/4 road course. First time ever for me and could become real addictive!
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Old Nov 1, 2005 | 03:19 PM
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Had similar problem with 02 coupe after "charging system fault" appeared once for a few seconds and I notice the voltage on another occasion dropped once and returned to normal quickly. In about a week I drove the car ten miles. Charging was normal. After returning to my car after a 15 minute stop the battery was completely dead. Car could not be jump-started. Replaced with excide orbital amg battery and car runs fine now.
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Old Nov 1, 2005 | 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by vetteguy02
Had similar problem with 02 coupe after "charging system fault" appeared once for a few seconds and I notice the voltage on another occasion dropped once and returned to normal quickly. In about a week I drove the car ten miles. Charging was normal. After returning to my car after a 15 minute stop the battery was completely dead. Car could not be jump-started. Replaced with excide orbital amg battery and car runs fine now.
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Old Nov 1, 2005 | 05:03 PM
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I have a '98 - same problem. New alternator-same problem. New Red Top battery-same problem. Added additional ground to battery helped.No codes;no battery indicator on dash. Voltage varies from 12.2 to 14.2 When I return home, the battery voltage measures 12.7 to 12.9 with the engine off for 10 min. I have tried 3 different batteries. This Charge System Fault is on 30-75% of the time.
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Old Nov 1, 2005 | 06:38 PM
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95 JWG,

Your voltage readings per the gauge are good. Thing about these cars, which indicator do you trust?

The test of my alternator today by Auto Zone was good. They tested specially for 02 Z06. Probably the same as a coupe or vert, but they asked because the computer told them to.

I brought it home this evening and inspected it for trash on the wiring inside the alternator that could be viewed through openings. Did not take it apart. Found a bunch of trash, plastic, small tree leaf material, etc. Cleaned up all trash with shop vac and a pick.

Get this. Re-installed and all is well. I removed the serpentine belt for inspection and found no problems. Re-installed the belt.

Took it for a test drive and no problems.

Maybe having the battery disconnected over night reset everything.

Have no scientific clue as to what causes this problem.

Go figure.
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Old Nov 1, 2005 | 06:40 PM
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Thought I'd toss something in here. the test that is done at the local auto parts isn't all that good. as the newer alternators have a different type of regulation than older ones. (check the schematic) they are regulated by a computer in the car I'm not positive wher in a vette however my wife's GP uses the instrument cluster! now I know that sounds silly but a bad alternator will test good on the older type test as all they test is max output and this darn thing is not working that way.
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Old Nov 1, 2005 | 09:54 PM
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Understand your point. But Auto Zone asked specially the year, make, z06 or not and then did the test.

If you do a search on this problem, you will find no answers. Some guys cleaned ground wires and the problem went away. Some replaced a door lock module and the problem went away.

Who knows?
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Old Nov 2, 2005 | 07:55 AM
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I changed the alternator and that solved the problem for some time, but it is back again. I cannot figure out what it is, but I see the warning a bunch when I start the car.
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