"Charge System Fault"--serious?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Mesa, AZ, USA
"Charge System Fault"--serious?
I haven't driven my '01 coupe as much lately as I'd like. Usually, it's my daily driver. A couple of times recently, after I've left it in the garage and driven something else for a few days (because there's crappy weather or road construction on my commute), I've started up the Vette and had a "Charge System Fault" light come on.
My only clue has been that--due to sitting for a few days, I presume--the car took a couple of cranks longer to fire up than it does when I drive it every day. I wonder if it's just that the battery was kinda weak after sitting? Do you think it's anything to be concerned about?
My only clue has been that--due to sitting for a few days, I presume--the car took a couple of cranks longer to fire up than it does when I drive it every day. I wonder if it's just that the battery was kinda weak after sitting? Do you think it's anything to be concerned about?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,375
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Re: "Charge System Fault"--serious? (GM Kid)
No. It is nothing ot worry about. Keep an eye on the battery if you let it sit for more than a few weeks. I got this message 3 times and never had a problem with the battery or starting. :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 993
Likes: 5
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Re: "Charge System Fault"--serious? (GM Kid)
GM Kid,
I received "charge system fault" messages when I started my 1999 C5 coupe. Several trips to the dealer and the "technician" was baffled. He called Chevrolet Technical Assistance and was told to check several ground locations on and near the starter. He found the nuts were loose on the studs, with corrosion present. He cleaned the studs and tightened the nuts. No more "charge system fault" messages.
The "technician" told me that Chevrolet Technical Assistance immediately knew what the problem was when he telephoned them. The "technician" told me that the nuts were not tightened properly at the factory and that it must have been a common problem because Technical Assistance was aware of it.
Good luck.
1999 White C5 Coupe
I received "charge system fault" messages when I started my 1999 C5 coupe. Several trips to the dealer and the "technician" was baffled. He called Chevrolet Technical Assistance and was told to check several ground locations on and near the starter. He found the nuts were loose on the studs, with corrosion present. He cleaned the studs and tightened the nuts. No more "charge system fault" messages.
The "technician" told me that Chevrolet Technical Assistance immediately knew what the problem was when he telephoned them. The "technician" told me that the nuts were not tightened properly at the factory and that it must have been a common problem because Technical Assistance was aware of it.
Good luck.
1999 White C5 Coupe
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 0
From: America
Re: "Charge System Fault"--serious? (GM Kid)
GM kid, I had this occur 2 or 3 times.......I put a slow charger on the battery overnight, and 7 months later, it has not happened again.........
Even a slightly discharged battery will evidently throw this code.......
Try it and see......... ;)
Even a slightly discharged battery will evidently throw this code.......
Try it and see......... ;)
