Charge System Fault... What is this?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 225
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From: Sagamore Hills OH
Charge System Fault... What is this?
Just yesterday I started getting a message on the DIC that says "Charge System Fault." :mad It only happens when I start the car and it only displays the message for a few seconds and then it goes away. The car seems to run fine and the Voltmeter reads around 14. Has anyone else had this problem? What is the problem/fix? Thanks for your help. 
Drifting
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 37
From: Altamonte Spgs Florida
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Charge System Fault... What is this? (Yellow 01 Coupe)
I have actually seen this a couple of times on my car if I release the key too quickly when starting the car. Try holding the key in the start position just a bit longer to make sure it is fully started before disengaging the starter motor. I think if you let go too early, the current in the system will fluctuate a bit as the car fights to stay started.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 225
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From: Sagamore Hills OH
Re: Charge System Fault... What is this? (Paul R)
Thanks Paul, I will make sure I hold the key longer and see if this works. Maybe this is just a problem with Yellow, 2001, 6 speed, Coupes :lol:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 6,456
Likes: 2
From: D/FW Area TX
Re: Charge System Fault... What is this? (Yellow 01 Coupe)
You should have this checked by the dealership. In my case, it was an early indicator of a problem with my generator. It was replaced under warranty. Soon after, my battery failed (leaked acid in the engine bay). Not sure if the two were tied to the Charge System Fault warning or to each other, but it seems likely.
I took my '99 Vette to two different dealerships for this problem. The first dealership, Huffines in Plano, told me they couldn't recreate the problem therefore nothing could be fixed since nothing was wrong. Since I got the warning again soon after this visit, I took it to a different dealership, Frank Parra. After telling them about the warning, the service advisor immediately (and mistakenly) told me that it's a common problem related to a loose wiring connection that causes this message to appear. However, after the tech looked at it, he discovered a bad diode pattern in the alternator which was actually causing the problem. So, it could be something simple, loose connection (hopefully) or something worse.
Be safe and have it checked.
Regards,
-TargaC5
I took my '99 Vette to two different dealerships for this problem. The first dealership, Huffines in Plano, told me they couldn't recreate the problem therefore nothing could be fixed since nothing was wrong. Since I got the warning again soon after this visit, I took it to a different dealership, Frank Parra. After telling them about the warning, the service advisor immediately (and mistakenly) told me that it's a common problem related to a loose wiring connection that causes this message to appear. However, after the tech looked at it, he discovered a bad diode pattern in the alternator which was actually causing the problem. So, it could be something simple, loose connection (hopefully) or something worse.
Be safe and have it checked.
Regards,
-TargaC5
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 993
Likes: 5
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Re: Charge System Fault... What is this? (Yellow 01 Coupe)
Yellow 01 Coupe,
My 1999 C5 coupe did the same thing when started. Several trips to the dealer had the technician stumped. He telephoned Chevrolet Technical Assistance and was told to check the ground nuts & studs on and near the starter. He found several nuts loose with corrision. He cleaned and tightened them, and I stopped getting the messages.
Soon after that, my Delco battery leaked acid and damaged items below it. I received the same message when that happened (as I started the car).
Two weeks ago, while driving on vaction out-of-state, I received the same message again. A trip to a dealer determined the alternator was bad (it had been replaced last year to correct the A4 shift rumble under a TSB). A new alternator was installed.
My point - there can be several causes for the messages, all of which can disable your car. You should have a dealer diagnose it, especially if it is under warranty.
Good luck.
My 1999 C5 coupe did the same thing when started. Several trips to the dealer had the technician stumped. He telephoned Chevrolet Technical Assistance and was told to check the ground nuts & studs on and near the starter. He found several nuts loose with corrision. He cleaned and tightened them, and I stopped getting the messages.
Soon after that, my Delco battery leaked acid and damaged items below it. I received the same message when that happened (as I started the car).
Two weeks ago, while driving on vaction out-of-state, I received the same message again. A trip to a dealer determined the alternator was bad (it had been replaced last year to correct the A4 shift rumble under a TSB). A new alternator was installed.
My point - there can be several causes for the messages, all of which can disable your car. You should have a dealer diagnose it, especially if it is under warranty.
Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 6,456
Likes: 2
From: D/FW Area TX
Re: Charge System Fault... What is this? (1999 White C5 Coupe)
1999 White C5 Coupe, sounds like you and I had the same exact problem with our '99s concerning the Charge System Fault problem.
I had some other problems too (F45 suspension control module shorted out, 1 of the shocks shorted out, wheel spin sensor went bad, fuel injectors shorted out, etc. etc.), so I finally traded it in for a 2002 just before it went out of warranty. Many people seem to have the leaking battery problem. That's one of the first items I'm replacing on the new one.
I had some other problems too (F45 suspension control module shorted out, 1 of the shocks shorted out, wheel spin sensor went bad, fuel injectors shorted out, etc. etc.), so I finally traded it in for a 2002 just before it went out of warranty. Many people seem to have the leaking battery problem. That's one of the first items I'm replacing on the new one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 993
Likes: 5
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Re: Charge System Fault... What is this? (targac5)
TargaC5,
I have had A LOT of other problems too. The quality and reliability of my C5 (special ordered and purchased new) has been very poor. The car is meticulously maintained and carefully driven. It only has 20,100 miles.
This was my third Corvette and my last. My wife and I had intended to purchase a 50th anniversary edition to celebrate our 50th birthdays. We are so upset with the poor quality, we have changed our minds.
Good luck with your 2002. It is a shame that the C5 has SO MANY problems, many of which are often repeatedly listed on this forum. Chevrolet has been very slow to correct many of them. (Yes, my steering column locked up and immobilized my car, stranding my wife and I for three days while out-of-state.)
1999 White C5 Coupe
I have had A LOT of other problems too. The quality and reliability of my C5 (special ordered and purchased new) has been very poor. The car is meticulously maintained and carefully driven. It only has 20,100 miles.
This was my third Corvette and my last. My wife and I had intended to purchase a 50th anniversary edition to celebrate our 50th birthdays. We are so upset with the poor quality, we have changed our minds.
Good luck with your 2002. It is a shame that the C5 has SO MANY problems, many of which are often repeatedly listed on this forum. Chevrolet has been very slow to correct many of them. (Yes, my steering column locked up and immobilized my car, stranding my wife and I for three days while out-of-state.)
1999 White C5 Coupe
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 543
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From: The Woodlands TX
Re: Charge System Fault... What is this? (1999 White C5 Coupe)
Do you have an aftermarket Stereo? Mine does it if I have the stereo cranked on a song with alot of bass. I am getting a Red Top Optima battery and a capacitor. Don't know if this helps but I have seen this code from too much stereo.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 225
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From: Sagamore Hills OH
Re: Charge System Fault... What is this? (TorchedTexan)
No, I don't have an aftermarket stereo. I am hoping Paul is correct about letting go of the key too soon. I know for a fact that the second time I got this code that I let go of the key too soon. I don't remember if I let go of the key too soon the first time I got the code. I hope I don't have the other problems (ie. leaking battery etc.) mentioned by White C5 and Targa C5. I will keep an eye on the battery though. I have been making sure to hold the key in the start position until the car is started and have not had the code come back.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 4,325
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From: East Lansing, Michigan
Re: Charge System Fault... What is this? (Yellow 01 Coupe)
I had the same but intermittant problem...it was a loose connection on the PCM-B!
Best to have the dealer look at it?
MyC5
Best to have the dealer look at it?
MyC5
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 93
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From: Dublin Ca.
Re: Charge System Fault... What is this? (MyC5)
It seems we should all listen to the folks here on the forum, I have read and seen several batteries leaking, and that causes problems with the climate controls as the vacuum lines are under the battery tray, I say we should all replace the factory battery with one of your own choice, I know it is going to rub some people the wrong way, but I like ounce of prevention method, for 70 or 80 bucks a new battery costs. Just my .03 cents (inflation)
