G'day C5ers!

(I thought I'd post this in the C5 section, although the primary culpret for my troubles is probably my stereo - forgive me, moderators)

As you probably figured out, I've been getting the dreaded charge system fault warning on the DIC pretty intermittantly, although I've hadn't had any problems, uh, charging - the alternator is only a few months old. It's came on before when first turning on the ignition, but also once or twice when cruising, and the stereo is always off when it happens.

Oh, about the stereo. I have a RF Punch 800a2 amp (800 watts) connected to a PPI 1 farad digital cap in the back, which usually reads 0.3v higher than what the DIC tells me the battery voltage is (it hovers around 13 - 14 volts at the DIC, I've seen 14.3 once or twice). Kenwood 35w x 4ch deck and 3 10" RF Punch DVC speakers. The power wire is huge 4 guage copper, fused at the battery and twice before the amp.

Anyway, I still have the Delco battery - I'm not sure if its the original one, but if it is, it has 50,000 miles on her. This might also be the problem. Does anyone have any ideas or simple things I can check out? I'm planning on getting an Optima Red Top very soon anyway, but it would be nice to figure out what's troubling my girl. I know alot of experts circulate around here :yesnod:

Thanks for your help! :cheers:

:seeya Jeff


[Modified by vmspionage, 8:55 PM 11/19/2001]

 

About the battery.... get the Yellow top. It will fit your application better then the Red.
http://www.optimabatteries.com/usingOptima/index.asp

Joel

 

vmspionage,

My 1999 C5 coupe (completely stock) receieved "charge system fault" messages that had the dealer technician stumped. He called Chevrolet Technical Assistance and was told to check ground stud locations on and near the starter.

The technician found two or three ground locations in which the nuts were loose on the stud, and corrision on the studs. He cleaned the locations and tightened the nuts. No more messages.

The technician stated the message must be pretty common, because Technical Assistance knew immediately what to tell him to check. He also felt the problem was due to faulty assembly from the factory.

Good luck.

1999 White C5 Coupe

 

Thanks for the link Joel, I guess I do need the yellow top... too bad it wont match my fuel rails :cry

99White, I'll poke around with my multimeter this weekend and see if anything turns up. Thanks for the advice! :cheers:

:seeya Jeff