"System Charge Fault" & electrical issues.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
"System Charge Fault" & electrical issues.
Recently I purchased and installed a new alternator in my '03. I followed the manual's install instructions exactly. Everything was fine for the first few days, then i got the "System Charge Fault" message on the DIC. After that happened I re-installed my old alternator, and the message still came up! I had never seen this message before. This made me think the new alternator isn't the issue. However, now the issue is even worse. My CD player & 12-disc do not work at any time. None of my interior lights work when the car in on; When I turn on my headlights, ALL interior lights turn off, the only thing that stays on is the HUD. But I know the LEDs are good, because when I first place the key in the ignition and after I turn the car off, they all light up. I'm not very good at explaining issues, so ill attach a video of the issues. If anyone has any ideas on what is wrong please help!
Here is a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EMI...ature=youtu.be
Here is a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EMI...ature=youtu.be
Last edited by Bio; Feb 16, 2016 at 06:56 AM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 489
Likes: 24
From: Maryland
The c5 is very sensitive when it comes down to the alternator. Just no any alternator will do. Check connection, check voltage with car off and on. The car may not like your new alternator. Where the alternator come from?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
Pull your DIC trouble codes from the dash and record them for us. Take your battery out and have it load tested at an auto store.
Let us know what happens. We'll go from there.
Mr. Sam
PS: Hey Toney
Let us know what happens. We'll go from there.
Mr. Sam
PS: Hey Toney
Last edited by dadaroo; Feb 16, 2016 at 11:18 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28
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From: St. Louis
The alternator I got was this exact one, sold by a Chevy dealer: http://www.ebay.com/itm/02-03-04-C5-...zVA93w&vxp=mtr
Only modifications are the Corsa Extreme catback with the x-pipe.
Last edited by Bio; Feb 16, 2016 at 05:48 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: St. Louis
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Maryland
I checked the connections. They are good I believe. I cleaned the bracket the alternator mounts on too. Battery voltage while driving hovers around 11. Edit: Got up to 14 after a short drive just no.
The alternator I got was this exact one, sold by a Chevy dealer: http://www.ebay.com/itm/02-03-04-C5-...zVA93w&vxp=mtr
I'll pull the codes in a few, when I get home. I'll go to autozone too. The battery volts while driving were 11ish.
I replaced it because of a very loud whining noise that is was making, I researched the subject a bit and it sounds like the bearings were the issue, and some people said that you can take it to a shop to be fixed; However, I like to be preventative, so I just replaced it.
Only modifications are the Corsa Extreme catback with the x-pipe.
The alternator I got was this exact one, sold by a Chevy dealer: http://www.ebay.com/itm/02-03-04-C5-...zVA93w&vxp=mtr
I'll pull the codes in a few, when I get home. I'll go to autozone too. The battery volts while driving were 11ish.
I replaced it because of a very loud whining noise that is was making, I researched the subject a bit and it sounds like the bearings were the issue, and some people said that you can take it to a shop to be fixed; However, I like to be preventative, so I just replaced it.
Only modifications are the Corsa Extreme catback with the x-pipe.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Take the big nut and heavy wires off the solenoid, clean everything as good as you can using sandpaper or a wire brush and then put it back together.
Your ignition switch might have issues too, but try the easy fixes first.
Your ignition switch might have issues too, but try the easy fixes first.
Last edited by lionelhutz; Feb 18, 2016 at 11:35 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Bahama North Carolina
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
As mentioned above, you could have bad contacts at the solenoid and/or problems with the ignition switch.
Last edited by GCG; Feb 19, 2016 at 09:58 AM.
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
To the LEFT of the steering wheel is a little round black button. PUSH it and it will POP OUT. Turn it to the RIGHT (CW) and see if you get the light back when the KEY IS ON. Its the LIGHT DIMMER! 
NOTE! If you turn it all the way (CW) to the CLICK,, you will LOCK on the interior lights and kill the battery over time (like 3-4 HRS) SO,, just turn it CW and not to the CLICK.
Give that a try. I hope its as simple as that..
Bill
NOTE! If you turn it all the way (CW) to the CLICK,, you will LOCK on the interior lights and kill the battery over time (like 3-4 HRS) SO,, just turn it CW and not to the CLICK.
Give that a try. I hope its as simple as that..
Bill
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Feb 19, 2016 at 02:07 PM.