Battery Question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 319
From: Hewitt TX
Battery Question
I have been getting the Charge System Fault for over a year now and I am wondering if my battery is at fault. I only drive the car a few times a month and I only recently began to use a battery tender. About a year ago the car sat for a few weeks and the battery went dead (Optima Red top). I decide to check the battery with my multimeter this morning so I disconnected the battery tender and I had 13.2v. The voltage immediately began to drop down to 12.6v in about 30 seconds. I put the key in the ignition and went to on and the battery dropped to 11.2v. Is my battery toast? I know nothing about batteries so I am hoping this is my problem.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 4
From: Freeport, FL
I have been getting the Charge System Fault for over a year now and I am wondering if my battery is at fault. I only drive the car a few times a month and I only recently began to use a battery tender. About a year ago the car sat for a few weeks and the battery went dead (Optima Red top). I decide to check the battery with my multimeter this morning so I disconnected the battery tender and I had 13.2v. The voltage immediately began to drop down to 12.6v in about 30 seconds. I put the key in the ignition and went to on and the battery dropped to 11.2v. Is my battery toast? I know nothing about batteries so I am hoping this is my problem.
assuming the 11.2v was not while attempting to start.
In the grand scheme of things, batteries are cheap maintenance.
Although I have never been a fan of Delco batteries, they might be a good choice as the meet both the CCA rating and the Reserve Capacity requirements of the Vette.
But, a battery made by Johnson Controls is also a good choice, both Autozone and Advance sell batteries made by Johnson Controls.
Autozone's Duralast Gold is a great battery. yeah yeah, I know, curse the mainstream parts stores, but there are a few good parts to be had.
Anyways, I hope it's just the battery.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Any time you see the charge system fault is good reason for concern. Sure its probably your battery but it would be wise to check all the connections to it as well. Know that the starter solenoid is where the alternator, battery, fuse boxes and of course the starter, all come together. So you might want to check that connection as well but not forgetting that its electrically hot there. Battery negative cable to the engine and/or frame needs to be checked too...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 319
From: Hewitt TX
Its toast
assuming the 11.2v was not while attempting to start.
In the grand scheme of things, batteries are cheap maintenance.
Although I have never been a fan of Delco batteries, they might be a good choice as the meet both the CCA rating and the Reserve Capacity requirements of the Vette.
But, a battery made by Johnson Controls is also a good choice, both Autozone and Advance sell batteries made by Johnson Controls.
Autozone's Duralast Gold is a great battery. yeah yeah, I know, curse the mainstream parts stores, but there are a few good parts to be had.
Anyways, I hope it's just the battery.
assuming the 11.2v was not while attempting to start.
In the grand scheme of things, batteries are cheap maintenance.
Although I have never been a fan of Delco batteries, they might be a good choice as the meet both the CCA rating and the Reserve Capacity requirements of the Vette.
But, a battery made by Johnson Controls is also a good choice, both Autozone and Advance sell batteries made by Johnson Controls.
Autozone's Duralast Gold is a great battery. yeah yeah, I know, curse the mainstream parts stores, but there are a few good parts to be had.
Anyways, I hope it's just the battery.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 319
From: Hewitt TX
Any time you see the charge system fault is good reason for concern. Sure its probably your battery but it would be wise to check all the connections to it as well. Know that the starter solenoid is where the alternator, battery, fuse boxes and of course the starter, all come together. So you might want to check that connection as well but not forgetting that its electrically hot there. Battery negative cable to the engine and/or frame needs to be checked too...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 319
From: Hewitt TX
Yep, I think I may have just fixed my Charge System Fault P1637 code. My fingers are crossed!. I replaced the Optima Red Top with the Sears Die Hard Gold and I have yet to have the code thrown. I ran a few errands around town this afternoon and never got the code where as I would get it every start. Also, I noticed I now see a pretty steady 14.1 Volts on my DIC where I use to only see 13.5 to 13.6. Hopefully this was the fix for me. I was really hoping I didnt have to pull the right side Long tube off to get to the started. So like I said FINGERS CROSSED!
