I got in the car tonight, 2,100 miles, and turned the key to start it. Seemed normal, but the DIC flashed a message that said, "Charging System Fault" (Or Charge System Fault - I forget exactly).

I drove it home. Ran it through the code checking routine and turned up NO codes stored on the computer.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

 

Tom Steele,

I received several "Charge System Fault" messages on the DIC when starting my 1999 C5 coupe. The dealer "technician" was stumped. He called Chevrolet Technical Assistance and was told to check several ground locations on and near the starter (and below the battery). He found several ground studs corroded and the nuts were loose on the studs. He cleaned the studs and tightened the nuts, and I have not had further problems.

The "technician" stated that Technical Assistance knew exactly what the problem and fix was, and that it must be a common problem. Good luck.

 

Thanks,

I'll lift it up and do a once over on any wires near the starter, and see if I can find anything under the battery.

Annoying...

 

I periodically received a Charge System Fault message on my '99. The weird thing was that it never stayed up until I hit reset. The message always disappeared by itself.
When I first got the message (about 2 months after I bought my car new with only 5K miles on it), I took it to one dealership and they couldn't recreate the problem so nothing was done to fix it.
I later continued getting the error message occasionally. Finally, I took the car to a different dealership for some other warranty repairs at approx. 25K miles. I also told them about the "Charge System Fault" error. They immediately said it was probably just something common (they've seen the problem before) and it's really easy and quick to correct.
Well, when I got the car back, they said that it wasn't what they had originally thought. They had to replace the generator/alternator because there was a bad diode pattern showing up. It was what triggered the error, they said, because the alternator wasn't putting out enough charge.

Well, all was well with that problem until about a week later when my entire car died in a parking lot.

I had to have my car towed (on a flatbed) to the same dealership (since they were the one's that had just worked on it previously).

The latest problem was cause by two things (related to the other problem, I'm sure)
a) my power lumbar support was creating an unusually excessive draw on the battery that wouldn't always turn off
b) my battery completely failed and started leaking acid

Have them first check the battery.

Good luck!

 

I have also had the same 'charge' on the DIC 2 or 3 times, it cleared itself, so i'll see what happens if it comes up anymore.

 

I find it odd that it doesn't leave any codes set on the DIC when you scroll through them!

I guess I should read my shop manuals. I'll dig them out of the closet and see if they say anything.

 

Hmm, I dont even know how to get the codes, but im sure there would be one for the gas gauge reading empty when it's not.
How do i read the codes from the DIC? Thanks, Rob.

 

Hey Rob,

Here is the easiest way for me to answer that.
http://www.c5forum.com/ayc/dtcdic.php

I started to type it all out, but they already have it posted there.

Basically, turn ignition on, and hold options while pressing fuel four times.