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Service Charging system light

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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 05:00 PM
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Default Service Charging system light

My Service charging system display have come on 3 times so far. Every time is comes on it is either at idle or very low speed. My charging system display 13.0-13.7v during idle. It just keep bouncing around in that range. The car is an A6 with Vortech supercharger and LG pro headers. I took the car to the dealer and they say they see the error message however it is because I am not running the stock spark plugs. I think this is bull but can someone tell me what is going on?

It does not happen too often, maybe 2-3 times per year however it just came on 2 times within 5 minutes.
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 06:44 PM
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yes non OEM plugs can cause RF that will effect the charging system signal feedback to the ECM
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by knkali
yes non OEM plugs can cause RF that will effect the charging system signal feedback to the ECM
Does it effect the charging system or just give out false reading?
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 08:18 PM
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false reading
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 08:27 PM
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Originally Posted by knkali
false reading
So I should just ignore it? Thanks
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Old Sep 17, 2008 | 12:37 AM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by knkali
yes non OEM plugs can cause RF that will effect the charging system signal feedback to the ECM


Originally Posted by csun213
Does it effect the charging system or just give out false reading?


Originally Posted by csun213
So I should just ignore it? Thanks
change them.
I had that same anoying message for awhile and changed those E3 Spark Plugs and went back to OEM Iridium.
OH, they were working fine for a while but then the faulty signal started.

The message will get worst by the minute.
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Old Sep 24, 2008 | 04:17 PM
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Originally Posted by knkali
yes non OEM plugs can cause RF that will effect the charging system signal feedback to the ECM
Thats Bull! They told me the same thing...And went home changed out the aftermarket plugs and put back the stock plugs...Same thing! i have been haveing the same problem for like a month now....they changed the alt and still no fix...i have been told the problem is a ground or the wiring to the starter....still havent had a chance to bring it back to the dealer since i did the plug swap!
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Old Sep 24, 2008 | 04:41 PM
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As I said it "can cause" not will cause. The TSB has it right on it about non OEM plugs. Because it did not work for you, calling what I said bullsh-t was not called for.

You might want to contact Rev Extreme (a vendor here) and ask about his HO alt. He claims to have a fix
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Old Sep 24, 2008 | 04:57 PM
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Ive had RevXtreme work on my car with built motor an procharger, even he says the TSB for the spark plugs is a load one regular style spark plugs. Most of you rf comes from less then sufficient wires.

The local dealership voided my whole entire warranty even parts not touched, because they said i was using pulse technology spark plugs, the kind that will send out rf signals.

They didnt bother taking one plug out, cause if they did they would have seen they were regular ngk v-sparks.

3 mths after owning my bone stock car, i had service charging system, on oem plugs. They replaced the battery, alternator, and all the wires. I still had the same problem.
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Old Sep 24, 2008 | 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by LS2POWA
Ive had RevXtreme work on my car with built motor an procharger, even he says the TSB for the spark plugs is a load one regular style spark plugs. Most of you rf comes from less then sufficient wires.

The local dealership voided my whole entire warranty even parts not touched, because they said i was using pulse technology spark plugs, the kind that will send out rf signals.

They didnt bother taking one plug out, cause if they did they would have seen they were regular ngk v-sparks.

3 mths after owning my bone stock car, i had service charging system, on oem plugs. They replaced the battery, alternator, and all the wires. I still had the same problem.

I too have had my check charging sytem message come on a couple of times and I also have NGK plugs and MSD wires. If low battery voltage is sensed thru the charging system, how can a spark plug and/or wires be the cause of this. Can someone mechanically explain this? I run a body / mechanical shop, as well as having GM mechanical and physical damage school training, and don't understand how RF interference can cause charging system voltage drops.
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Old Sep 24, 2008 | 11:57 PM
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Originally Posted by csun213
My Service charging system display have come on 3 times so far. Every time is comes on it is either at idle or very low speed. My charging system display 13.0-13.7v during idle. It just keep bouncing around in that range. The car is an A6 with Vortech supercharger and LG pro headers. I took the car to the dealer and they say they see the error message however it is because I am not running the stock spark plugs. I think this is bull but can someone tell me what is going on?

It does not happen too often, maybe 2-3 times per year however it just came on 2 times within 5 minutes.
Hey Charlie

I was having the same problem couple days ago after cam and UD pulley swap. But has gone away .
Let me know what you find out

Shalen

norcal
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Old Sep 25, 2008 | 12:03 AM
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I have the same problem.

I was just chocking it up to the fact that I installed an underdrive pulley. My thoughts are this:

Since the 25% reduction in Accsesory Drive RPM that the pulley provides is causing the alternator to spin slower, the altenator is putting out less voltage at idle than typical of a stock car. Now under load, engine speed ramps up the RPM of the altenator, and the low-voltage condition disappears. Once back down to idle, within a few seconds I get the three beeps and DIC message. I've just been ignoring it to be honest.

Thats my thoughts on it. I'm not sure if the OP's car has an underdrive pulley, but seeing as it's blown, the stock pulley has certainly been replaced. The replacement may underdrive the accessory belt as well.
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Old Sep 25, 2008 | 08:17 AM
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I'm getting the same thing too. At idle or low speed. Started seeing it after I put on an U/D pulley,CAM,FAST, L/T's/new plugs. Too many things changed so I can't narrow it down to one thing.

Seems like the one common variable that most people have is the pulley. My voltage reads fine so I'm not too worried about it. It does get annoying hearing the warning chime though!
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Old Sep 25, 2008 | 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by C6 Doberman
I'm getting the same thing too. At idle or low speed. Started seeing it after I put on an U/D pulley,CAM,FAST, L/T's/new plugs. Too many things changed so I can't narrow it down to one thing.

Seems like the one common variable that most people have is the pulley. My voltage reads fine so I'm not too worried about it. It does get annoying hearing the warning chime though!
I had the same problem on my 06 after installing a cam and UD pulley. Problem went away after 500 miles. I think the CPU learned and made some adjustments.
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Old Sep 25, 2008 | 11:09 AM
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They have the high output Alt & the smaller overdrive pulley....the Pulley alone solved mine.
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