Charging system fault?
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Check the cables
I've gotton this message on the "dic" display off and on for 3 years and have found out that my "99" has the 140 amp alternator made in Mexico instead of the 110 amp one made in France that most every early c-5 I've seen have. I'm so sick of this message popping up that I am thinking about buying a 110 amp alternator for the car!
Question, Will this fix the problem or not? Has any one had this problem and fixed it?
Thanks, Dave
Question, Will this fix the problem or not? Has any one had this problem and fixed it?
Thanks, Dave
Intermediate
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 29
Likes: 5
From: Houston Texas
I went through all of this and even bought a new alternator from the Chevy dealer and that one did not even show to be charging but when I took it to be bench tested, it charged fine. Then I went to O'reilly's and parts warrantied an alternator from them and it would charge just like the other but the charge system fault message would still come on randomly while driving. Traced all wires and even replaced the ground cable with an OEM new cable and still the same thing. Then took a long shot and bought an alternator from Autozone and dammit, the problem is solved. Part number on the alternator is 21702278 and been working perfect for about 1500 miles and about 4 months of driving. Finally working like it should. Now just to replace the flasher relay and repair the shorted wires for the oil temp sensor that the headers cooked and I will have everything perfect and ready to set up the rest of the car for TX2K19 in a couple months.
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1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1
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Charging fault system
I have seen that message pop up on a few C5s in the past and it has always been at startup, In most cases it was because of a low battery after sitting over night, Is that when you see your message? I do know I have read that the 140 amp alt isn't compatable with all the C5 cars.
Mr.Bill
Mr.Bill
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I would def check that plug in the picture Norcalvette posted above. I had the same message start displaying immediately after changing my sparkplugs. Went back over the job again to see what I might have done, since I was not getting the message before the sparkplug job, and reasoned that I must've leaned on or hit that plug on the alternator. I unplugged it, flipped it over and saw it was corroded a bit. Cleaned it up, applied a dab of dielectric grease, seated it back in the plug socket, and never got the charge system fault message again. Check it.
