Help "service charging system"
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas Nevada
OP, have you confirm that it is the alternator? I have the same message I see my DIC ("service chargeing system"). I've change my battery & it still doing it. So please give us an update once you have replace the alternator if it fix the problem. Subscribe! TIA
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I had the dreaded message once again today (49K showing), but the voltage floats between 11.0 and 13.3. It went to 9.0 to trigger the message and then back up to a higher range. I'm kinda baffled, but know something is gonna die real soon. Suspect a bad battery cell.
Hope you get back on the road again without a major hassle.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 281
Likes: 4
From: Houston TX
When you get the service charging system message, it is your alternator that is throwing the message. To determine if it's your battery, look at your voltage. You battery is a 12v source and should be floating between 13-14v. 12s is acceptable. Below that you have a dead cell in the battery most likely. You will know if your car won't start after letting it sit for a week or so but runs good after it gets a jump.
The battery is mainly used to start the car, the alternator does the majority of the work once the car is running.
Letting your battery die and then recharging it decreases the battery life, but if you're stuck out in the middle of nowhere then it's your only choice LOL.
The battery is mainly used to start the car, the alternator does the majority of the work once the car is running.
Letting your battery die and then recharging it decreases the battery life, but if you're stuck out in the middle of nowhere then it's your only choice LOL.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 368
Likes: 17
From: Pittsburgh pa
alternator
Had the same issue recently, actually the alternator worked as long as I kept it under 2,500rpm thereafter the voltage just crashed, I limped home and the dealer replaced the alternator ( I have also had 2 batterys go bed on this 08 (16,000 mi) best of luck w/ it
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Fortunately mine (post #10) has healed itself. I topped off the water and within 100 miles it's back to normal. Hmmmm!
Wish the OP's could have been that easy.
Wish the OP's could have been that easy.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 26
From: Miami
I had a service charging system message om my DIC and it was not the alternator or the battery. Although this may be the cause for some it was not for me.
For me and a couple of other forum budies it was the SPARK PLUGS!!
For me and a couple of other forum budies it was the SPARK PLUGS!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
From: Wheaton Illinois
I have the same problem. The message usually just flashes on for a second or so a the longest. My gage shows no discharge in voltage at the times that the message appears. According to the owner's manual, if there is a problem the DIC message should contiune coming on every ten minutes. I can go days without it coming on. Dealer says battery and alterrnator are fine. Probably a computer issue. (My spark plugs are the originals) 2006 A6. I know of no solution at this time.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Me Too!!! SgtRod, thanks again for the help with that. Spark plugs causing a charge system fault would have been the last thing I would have ever expected.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 26
From: Miami
Rod