C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Charge system fault error

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 5, 2023 | 09:23 AM
  #1  
Burnt C6's Avatar
Burnt C6
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,196
Likes: 386
From: Texas Where God intended me to be.
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C5 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '11,'22 thru '26
Default Charge system fault error

When I had the A&A supercharger installed we put in a new GM Gold Alternator. Everything was fine for a while but Now I'm getting a Charge Fault Error message on the DIC. I can look at the Battery voltage on the DIC and it is at 13.9-14.1 continually. the message only comes up a couple of times than goes away. I've driven the car a lot and no battery drainage issues. any ideas?
Reply
Old May 5, 2023 | 09:54 AM
  #2  
averagejoesautos's Avatar
averagejoesautos
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 243
Likes: 93
From: Ashburn, VA
Default

The guages on these cars are "references" at best. I'd put a volt meter on the alternator positive terminal with the car running and verify what the output voltage is. I'm new to C5s but old to Chevys. I'm learning that these cars complain about EVERYTHING . I am suspecting the new alternator though...Did you replace it with a higher AMP output unit? If so, that could be your issue (not really an issue...but the car is saying hey...we are programmed to see 100 Amps, and we are seeing 110 amps when the system is loaded up [stereo, wipers, ecm, a/c, etc]). As long as the batt is charging and you dont smell smoke...I'd say send it my good man.

Joe
Reply
Old May 5, 2023 | 01:05 PM
  #3  
feeder82's Avatar
feeder82
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,735
Likes: 1,203
From: Wisconsin
Default

Read thru this sticky
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nd-issues.html
Reply
Old May 5, 2023 | 01:45 PM
  #4  
Burnt C6's Avatar
Burnt C6
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,196
Likes: 386
From: Texas Where God intended me to be.
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C5 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '11,'22 thru '26
Default

Originally Posted by feeder82
I'm guessing that since mine is an 01 it probably now has a 145 amp unit on it. I will hook it up and see what it's putting out. appreciate the link to the sticky. good read
Reply
Old May 5, 2023 | 02:20 PM
  #5  
C5 Diag's Avatar
C5 Diag
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
Veteran: Air Force
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,319
Likes: 3,927
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Default

Originally Posted by Burnt C6
I'm guessing that since mine is an 01 it probably now has a 145 amp unit on it. I will hook it up and see what it's putting out. appreciate the link to the sticky. good read
Your “charge system fault” does not have anything to do with your alternator current output or voltage…it is the incorrect voltage regulator that is installed in it…I don’t know the part numbers but you will find it in the Forum somewhere…these OEM Valeo alternators have a “soft turn on” feature where there is a slow rise in voltage when the car is started…if it’s too fast (high PWM at start up) the fault will show up…you can see this slow rise in voltage below on a good alternator with a scope…a 2 volt rise in 1.5 seconds in between the 2 vertical lines.



Reply
Old May 5, 2023 | 02:55 PM
  #6  
Smoken1's Avatar
Smoken1
.
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,010
Likes: 1,143
From: Oregon
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
Default

Here are the regulator part #'s
97-01 Valeo Regulator 2542521B (M530)
02-04 Valeo Regulator 2542499 (M520)
Reply
Old May 8, 2023 | 07:12 AM
  #7  
lionelhutz's Avatar
lionelhutz
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Default

Nice scope capture. I'd agree, GM gets stupid with start-up tolerances some times. Another example is anything Atlas engine equipped throwing a VVT code on cold start even through the VVT works fine once it's running.

Besides swapping the regulator, you can also tune it out so it just doesn't fault anymore. That's what I did with the Atlas, turn the code off and it worked fine.
Reply
Old May 8, 2023 | 08:14 AM
  #8  
averagejoesautos's Avatar
averagejoesautos
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 243
Likes: 93
From: Ashburn, VA
Default

Originally Posted by lionelhutz
Nice scope capture. I'd agree, GM gets stupid with start-up tolerances some times. Another example is anything Atlas engine equipped throwing a VVT code on cold start even through the VVT works fine once it's running.

Besides swapping the regulator, you can also tune it out so it just doesn't fault anymore. That's what I did with the Atlas, turn the code off and it worked fine.
I'd have to say, these cars were packed with "tech" for the time. But I also can help but to think GM knew its core market demographic....older dudes who were gonna take it in to service anytime the dash beep'ed with a message . The IPC gives the driver WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY MORE information then the average owner will ever, need, want, or be able to process. It is a god send for diagnostic though.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 8, 2023 | 04:49 PM
  #9  
lionelhutz's Avatar
lionelhutz
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Default

At least this fault clears. The Atlas engine it's stored and kept current then the VVT is disabled and the vehicle fuel mileage suffers.
Reply
Old May 8, 2023 | 05:07 PM
  #10  
C5 Diag's Avatar
C5 Diag
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
Veteran: Air Force
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,319
Likes: 3,927
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Default

Originally Posted by lionelhutz
Nice scope capture. I'd agree, GM gets stupid with start-up tolerances some times. Another example is anything Atlas engine equipped throwing a VVT code on cold start even through the VVT works fine once it's running.

Besides swapping the regulator, you can also tune it out so it just doesn't fault anymore. That's what I did with the Atlas, turn the code off and it worked fine.
I see you have a ‘98…have you ever checked the blower control PWM signal ??…I’m trying to help a shop owner who posted here a week and a half ago and was having issues with his ‘99 blower motor speed…when I scoped his PWM signal it was 5 volts (green trace below at 5 volts) looking at service info it looks like from 01 to 04 it’s a 5 volt PWM signal and 12 volts prior…his blower module is putting out 5 volts so I don’t know if he has the wrong module or HVAC head…power, ground, PWM, and serial data below…think he’s has the wrong parts installed !!
Reply
Old May 8, 2023 | 07:51 PM
  #11  
lionelhutz's Avatar
lionelhutz
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Default

I never have, but I highly doubt that it changed. There would be no reason to do that. The manuals say the early PCM output to excite the alternator is 5V and it's really 10V.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Charge system fault error





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:27 AM.

story-0
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-7
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE