Odd Charging Issue
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Odd Charging Issue
To start this thread, I will go through with listing things that I have already diagnosed and made sure they werent the things causing the issue.
Ok, I have a 14.4 charge coming off the alternator, battery is holding 13.8-14.0. But my dashboard volt gauge says 12.8. Sometimes goes as low as 12.2. I get a 'Charge System Fault' code every time i start the car and it seems like other stuff is malfunctioning because of this low voltage issue.
The car has a brand new GM Alternator and brand Optima Red Top Battery.
The car has always charged low since I bought it. New battery didnt change a thing, nor did the new alternater.
i am stumped.
grounds are good, wiring is good, pcm is good.
WHAT IS MY PROBLEM
Ok, I have a 14.4 charge coming off the alternator, battery is holding 13.8-14.0. But my dashboard volt gauge says 12.8. Sometimes goes as low as 12.2. I get a 'Charge System Fault' code every time i start the car and it seems like other stuff is malfunctioning because of this low voltage issue.
The car has a brand new GM Alternator and brand Optima Red Top Battery.
The car has always charged low since I bought it. New battery didnt change a thing, nor did the new alternater.
i am stumped.
grounds are good, wiring is good, pcm is good.
WHAT IS MY PROBLEM
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
I'm going to tell you what is wrong and You're going to think,, WTF? NO WAY! 
Its your ignition switch! Either change it or repair it:
- C5 ignition Switch repair - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ch-repair.html
Its your ignition switch! Either change it or repair it:
- C5 ignition Switch repair - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ch-repair.html
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
One other thing that you should double check is, the connections on the STARTER SOLENOID.
That is the connection point between the battery and the alternator.
It can and will get loose, dirty, corroded, burnt and or all four..
Bill
That is the connection point between the battery and the alternator.
It can and will get loose, dirty, corroded, burnt and or all four..
Bill
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
No homo, seriously.
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 580
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Suburb
St. Jude Donor '13
No offense, but are you sure you have the right alternator for your car? I went through 3 different p/n's - all recommended for my '01Z. The first one was low, the second was high with DIC messages and the 3rd did the job. True story.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
I have tried multiple ones and each one has done the same thing..
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