Charging system fault
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
Likes: 1
From: Chantilly VA
Charging system fault
I started the car yesterday after leaving work and got this display.
Now the unique thing was, and I'll try to explain. I think everyone feels or senses the key turn to start the car, and with that key turn (however long it lasts), the engine fires, ends up being like muscle memory, and you let the key go. Of course this becomes automatic, and that "time" it takes is kind of programed in our heads.
Yesterday, I think my finger slipped, just before that time period, and as the key returned, pause (very short), then the engine did fire (but late), and at that time I got the message.
I turned the engine off, and restarted (without the finger slip). Fired right up, no message, and in the proper time period (I speak of). Turned the engine off, checked codes - no codes, and restarted and everything fine.
So could the control modules just had a brain fart, with my finger slip. What should I look out for in the future, or just call this a starting fart and not worry? I was telling someone the other day not to buy a corvette, as you become neurotic idiot. Oh no!! DIC codes, dirt, scratches, rain, pollen (right now), not to mention all the real quirks about the C5.
Any thoughts? 
Now the unique thing was, and I'll try to explain. I think everyone feels or senses the key turn to start the car, and with that key turn (however long it lasts), the engine fires, ends up being like muscle memory, and you let the key go. Of course this becomes automatic, and that "time" it takes is kind of programed in our heads.
Yesterday, I think my finger slipped, just before that time period, and as the key returned, pause (very short), then the engine did fire (but late), and at that time I got the message.
I turned the engine off, and restarted (without the finger slip). Fired right up, no message, and in the proper time period (I speak of). Turned the engine off, checked codes - no codes, and restarted and everything fine.
So could the control modules just had a brain fart, with my finger slip. What should I look out for in the future, or just call this a starting fart and not worry? I was telling someone the other day not to buy a corvette, as you become neurotic idiot. Oh no!! DIC codes, dirt, scratches, rain, pollen (right now), not to mention all the real quirks about the C5.
Any thoughts?
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It could just be a random, phantom code as many have reported that doesn't necessarily mean there is a problem. Mine was doing it repeatedly, so I changed the battery. It has never done it since. If it doesn't happen again, I wouldn't worry about it. How old is your battery?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,220
Likes: 17
From: San Diego California
I received this code about a week after I bought the car. Every so often the "Charging System Fault" reads out. I've had the car for two and a half years. The battery looked brand new when I bought the car used, but the rest of the engine bay was pristine also.
I would worry about it unless it more frequent.
I would worry about it unless it more frequent.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
"as you become neurotic idiot" No,,,,,,say it aint so!
Unless it STAYS on, that message is nothing to be concerned about. Same as the ACTIVE HANDLING WARM UP message. Pretty much normal unless it stays on.
BC
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
Likes: 1
From: Chantilly VA
Battery is new last fall. I've had electrical gremlins that I still haven't chased all down yet. I posted before about them and received good advise and help, but have not eliminated all problems with door panel issues.
Thanks for the replies, unless it continues, I won't worry about it. I was wondering if others have seen this and had a cause and cure for it, other than charging system. Start Farts are traumatic for Neurotic Idiots!! Maybe I should change user name.
Thanks for the replies, unless it continues, I won't worry about it. I was wondering if others have seen this and had a cause and cure for it, other than charging system. Start Farts are traumatic for Neurotic Idiots!!
Maybe I should change user name.
