Charging system fault
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 564
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver British Columbia
Charging system fault
I have a '02 C5Z with 8300 miles. Always on a battery tender when not driven and a new AC Delco battery. The display usually shows 14.2 Volts consistently, however, I frequently get the message "Service Charging System" flash momentarily on my display then immediately changes to the normal odometer display, any ideas if I actually do have a fault or just a momentary brain fart by the computer. I immediately check the voltage and it still reads 14 - 14.2 volts.
Last edited by tak06; Aug 27, 2011 at 03:59 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
If its switching back to the Odometer by itself, then you are losing battery power to the fuse boxes. I would look at the starter solenoid connection which is where the battery, alternator, fuse boxes and of course the starter, all come together. Do not forget that its electrically hot down there unless you disconnect the negative battery cable first.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
Any pictures of what I'm looking for?
I have the same problem. occasionally (handful of times per year) I get a Charge System Fault and a beep shortly after startup. if I leave it alone it will clear all by itself (although mine I'm pretty sure resets to whatever I had before) never any codes. last time was a couple days ago, noticed the B+ voltage down in the low 13's, but it climbed back up to mid 14s over the next few minutes.
I have the same problem. occasionally (handful of times per year) I get a Charge System Fault and a beep shortly after startup. if I leave it alone it will clear all by itself (although mine I'm pretty sure resets to whatever I had before) never any codes. last time was a couple days ago, noticed the B+ voltage down in the low 13's, but it climbed back up to mid 14s over the next few minutes.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,394
Likes: 1,136
From: Dyer, IN
Close.........but no cigar. The solenoid has a total of 4 wires:
On the "B" terminal: Red, Rust, Gray.
Red from the battery, Rust and Gray from the alternator.
On the "S" terminal: Purple
Purple is from the TDR.
A separate red wire from the positive battery cable, goes to the underhood fusebox, and is bussed with the feed for the passenger footwell fuesbox. The connection for the fuse boxes is NOT at the solenoid.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 564
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver British Columbia
Any pictures of what I'm looking for?
I have the same problem. occasionally (handful of times per year) I get a Charge System Fault and a beep shortly after startup. if I leave it alone it will clear all by itself (although mine I'm pretty sure resets to whatever I had before) never any codes. last time was a couple days ago, noticed the B+ voltage down in the low 13's, but it climbed back up to mid 14s over the next few minutes.
I have the same problem. occasionally (handful of times per year) I get a Charge System Fault and a beep shortly after startup. if I leave it alone it will clear all by itself (although mine I'm pretty sure resets to whatever I had before) never any codes. last time was a couple days ago, noticed the B+ voltage down in the low 13's, but it climbed back up to mid 14s over the next few minutes.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 911
Likes: 27
From: Southern IL
What does it mean if my battery drops to around 11 volts at start up and slowly creeps up to 13v ?
Is this an indication of a short to ground somewhere or faulty electrical component?
It's started giving me the message on every start up now, and doesn't seem to go away anymore.
Maybe PCM going bad?
Is this an indication of a short to ground somewhere or faulty electrical component?
It's started giving me the message on every start up now, and doesn't seem to go away anymore.
Maybe PCM going bad?
Last edited by Vicarious.; Sep 23, 2011 at 12:06 AM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 564
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From: Vancouver British Columbia
Maybe we are overlooking exactly what the DIC is indicating "Charging system fault", a faulty alternator/regular and or connections to it. Put a ohm meter across the battery terminals rev the engine and you should see the voltage indicator increase in conjunction with the revs, if alternator/regulator is functioning properly.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 16
Dito for me. I get this occasionally, I use a trickel charger if I'm out for two weeks or more. Lately I've been driving it to the airport on Monday morning and picking it up on Thursday night, no charger. I saw the message a couple of weeks ago but haven't seen it since. I've checked the wiring everything seems tight.No Codes. I've gotten use to just ignoring it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,467
From: Oswego IL
My 62K '03 C5Z has a brand new battery in it, and I get the same message maybe once every 3 weeks. It is only at startup, first thing in the morning. I noticed it only gives the message if the car fires RIGHT when I turn the key. Almost like the car started too quickly. LOL
The message disappears instantly, and no codes are thrown. I have been told to not be concerned about it.
The message disappears instantly, and no codes are thrown. I have been told to not be concerned about it.