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Car wont start DTC code P 1638..

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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 08:51 AM
  #1  
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From: Örnsköldsvik
Default Car wont start DTC code P 1638..

So, got the msg charge systemfault on my car the other day and after that it dosent start. Got the code P 1638(DTC P1638 Generator F-Terminal Circuit). The solenoid on clicks on the starter buy the starter dosent turn.

I have check my generator for problems and it works fine. I have checked if there is any cable that has been burn off by my headers and I dont see any.

If I connect a cable between the generator and the battery the starter turns over. Havent started the car since I dont have enough power in my battery atm.

Anyone got any idea what to do?
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Whaxxor
So, got the msg charge systemfault on my car the other day and after that it dosent start. Got the code P 1638(DTC P1638 Generator F-Terminal Circuit). The solenoid on clicks on the starter buy the starter dosent turn.

I have check my generator for problems and it works fine. I have checked if there is any cable that has been burn off by my headers and I dont see any.

If I connect a cable between the generator and the battery the starter turns over. Havent started the car since I dont have enough power in my battery atm.

Anyone got any idea what to do?

I can not tell what year car you have from your profile, but if it is earlier than an 02, I would suggest you inspect the battery cables very closely for signs of corrosion - maybe your car had one of the leaky batteries that were installed in 97 - mid year 01...
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 09:26 AM
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Its an -03 Z06.
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 10:32 AM
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I think the cable still needs to be looked at closely - as you said, when you jumper around the cable you are able to get power to the starter. Look at where the connectors are attached to the wire in the cable itself - maybe even peel back the insulation a little and see if you see any white powdery looking stuff in there, expecialy at the battery end.
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 10:50 AM
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from post number 5 in this thread - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...-are-junk.html

Your alternator charges the battery THRU the starter solenoid connection. If you want to know if that connection is BAD/Burnt Defective/ corroded/ loose, (yep,,,very common issue especially if you have headers!) run a jumper wire from the field terminal (big wire on the back of the alternator) to the positive battery connection. (I use a jumper cable "you pick the color clamps ") If the Voltage out of the alternator suddenly improves, you have a BAD connection at the solenoid.
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 11:26 AM
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Thnx for the help. Going to get a cable in 2 hours to put between the generator and the battery and see if it really works.


One other thing. My left headlight lifted a bit from the lowerd position and now it dont want to go back so it up a bit. This happend when I reconnected the battery erlier. I guess its just that its out of closed position but how do I fix it?
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Whaxxor
One other thing. My left headlight lifted a bit from the lowerd position and now it dont want to go back so it up a bit. This happend when I reconnected the battery erlier. I guess its just that its out of closed position but how do I fix it?
I assume you have tried turning the headlights on and off already, so the only suggestion I could make is that you may need to adjust the position where the headlight stops to correct it. I do not know how to do that, but DeeGee usually can provide those types of proceedures from his online service manuals - send him a PM and see if he could do that for you.

On my 97 I have noticed some variance in where it stops - if I am going to be in a show I just use the **** on the back of the motor shaft to get it to the right position for the show.
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 05:21 PM
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Some new info. Got it started now.

I ran a new cable between the generator and the battery. But only with that cable the starter didn´t turn over but when I connected the original cable it started. So I guess the cable is broken between the starter and the battery.
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Old Jun 11, 2009 | 08:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Whaxxor
Some new info. Got it started now.

I ran a new cable between the generator and the battery. But only with that cable the starter didn´t turn over but when I connected the original cable it started. So I guess the cable is broken between the starter and the battery.
Good to hear you're making progress - now get it finished up and back out on the road!!!
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