2001 zo6 with charge system fault
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 192
Likes: 1
From: indiana
2001 zo6 with charge system fault
Hi I just bought a 2001 corvette zo6. Its keeps having charge system fault come across the dash. I have hptuner pro, I disabled 1638 and 1637, but still get the charge system fault. I heard it could be the alternator, it has a prostart 13721 alternator. The car is charging fine, just has this aggravating display. Any help would be great, thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,394
Likes: 6
From: Melbourne FL
I'm not sure if anyone has ever figured out the 100% definitive reason for this occurring. It can be linked to many things such as weak battery, bad alternator, loose/bad grounds. I believe some have also linked it to a bad ignition switch. But, I have heard of a workaround for it. That is to turn the key to the on position for 3-5 seconds prior to starting the car. I have not tried the latter as my car is not running at the moment. But, I do occasionally get the message even though my car is kept on a battery tender when not in use.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 859
Likes: 1
I found that the small wire connected to the 1/2 inch portion of the starter (3 wires combined on the one bolt) had come out of the ring terminal. I bought a new terminal, crimped/soldered it to the wire and re-installed and have never gotten it since.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 192
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From: indiana
I tried the 3 to 5 sec, didn't work. It has a aftermarket cam. But I have read on a couple forums on here that 2001 has a 145 amp alternator. This alternator looks brand new and I looked it up and its 110 amp. When I try to look it up by year it shows that the 110 amp is right for it. I just don't know if I should buy a 145 amp alternator for it or what. The battery is fine I know that, and everytime I look up a 145 amp it shows a decoupler on it for an automatic, but I have a standard.
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 580
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From: Chicago Suburb
St. Jude Donor '13
My 2001 Z went through 3 alternators before I found one that it liked. I seen several posts related to this problem in the past. My suggestion is to call a dealer with you VIN to find out exactly what P/N your car was originally built with and replace with an OEM part. Probably Valeo. Of course, if a DIC message is the ONLY issue, then I wouldn't worry about it. Oh yeah, and OEM is 110A for an '01.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 192
Likes: 1
From: indiana
Thanks for advice tacman. I have read several things about the alternator not being replaced properly as well. And I can see that the alternator is brand new on it. So I will call the dealer and find out if it is the right one, or what is the correct one. I also looked up the alternator that's on it and it was purchased at Pepboys for 70 dollars. Sounds a little on the cheap side to me.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 192
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From: indiana
Ok, I have checked wiring, found no problems. Battery is new. Car reads 12.4 volts not running, and 14.6 to 14.7 running. I contacted the previous owner and he said that the problem didn't occur until the alternator went out and he replaced it with a new cheap one. He said to change it out for a gm factory alternator. Just would like a few opinions before I spend the big bucks, should this be my next step? Thanks again for any help! And once again I will say the car runs and drives fine, just has that annoying charge system fault code constantly going across the DIC!!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,394
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From: Melbourne FL
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 192
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From: indiana
Ok, I put a new 500 dollar ac delco 10316182 alternator on. It fixed the problem finally. Only difference I see with the alternator that was on it is it read 14.5 volts in the car, where this new one only reads 13.5 volts. I went thru a lot of work to find out it was just not accepting the Pepboys alternator. I would recommend always making sure that you spend the extra cash and get the right one the first time. Thanks for all the help everybody!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 241
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From: Fountain Hills AZ
I get this message once in a while and I too have the original alternator. I have a good battery. System is charging well. Not too concerned about it, has always started right up.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 67
From: Bahama North Carolina
Ok, I put a new 500 dollar ac delco 10316182 alternator on. It fixed the problem finally. Only difference I see with the alternator that was on it is it read 14.5 volts in the car, where this new one only reads 13.5 volts. I went thru a lot of work to find out it was just not accepting the Pepboys alternator. I would recommend always making sure that you spend the extra cash and get the right one the first time. Thanks for all the help everybody!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 192
Likes: 1
From: indiana
I had already taken 1637 code out with hptuner, but was still getting the charge system fault across the DIC. I have seen lots of talk about this problem, just never seen an actual cause for it.