Service Charging System Message
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
Service Charging System Message
Had the pleasure of having the "Service Charging System" message today on my 2008 c6 z-51 with 22k miles. Volts went down to 10.2 then, stayed around 11 steadily after that. Went to gym worked out, then after 2 hours - started the car and volts read 14 all the way home....
After searching through posts regarding this message I see it could be everything from aftermarket plugs (Mine are stock), loose connection on the solenoid, bad alternator, and some sort of "Noise" being caused that could 'Fool" the alternator sensor into not sending enough juice back to the battery.... What the he$$ !! Ha, Ha...
Remember the days of just a simple alternator test, replace, and drive-off and all was well? Guess not in this case - Sounds like some cars have gone back several times before the real problem was found...
Looks like it is back in the repair shop on Monday
After searching through posts regarding this message I see it could be everything from aftermarket plugs (Mine are stock), loose connection on the solenoid, bad alternator, and some sort of "Noise" being caused that could 'Fool" the alternator sensor into not sending enough juice back to the battery.... What the he$$ !! Ha, Ha...
Remember the days of just a simple alternator test, replace, and drive-off and all was well? Guess not in this case - Sounds like some cars have gone back several times before the real problem was found...
Looks like it is back in the repair shop on Monday
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 28
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Since your plugs are OEM, look at the battery connections first and insure they are clean and tight. Next is the starter solenoid connections as this is where the alternator meets the battery. Do not forget its electrically hot down there.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
Thanks.
The battery connections are very tight and clean. The battery was new last year from dealership.
The car is bone stock except for aftermarket stereo system I had installed over 1-1/2 year ago - Never had a problem with that though.
I will let the techs check out the solenoid connection - It has to go in on Monday for a few trim pieces anyways - So, they can throw it on a lift and hopefully find something "Easy" to fix. I would hate to hear that it is the alternator with only 20k miles on it...
Will let you know - Thanks for the replies.
The battery connections are very tight and clean. The battery was new last year from dealership.
The car is bone stock except for aftermarket stereo system I had installed over 1-1/2 year ago - Never had a problem with that though.
I will let the techs check out the solenoid connection - It has to go in on Monday for a few trim pieces anyways - So, they can throw it on a lift and hopefully find something "Easy" to fix. I would hate to hear that it is the alternator with only 20k miles on it...
Will let you know - Thanks for the replies.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 4
From: Massapequa NY
Thanks.
The battery connections are very tight and clean. The battery was new last year from dealership.
The car is bone stock except for aftermarket stereo system I had installed over 1-1/2 year ago - Never had a problem with that though.
I will let the techs check out the solenoid connection - It has to go in on Monday for a few trim pieces anyways - So, they can throw it on a lift and hopefully find something "Easy" to fix. I would hate to hear that it is the alternator with only 20k miles on it...
Will let you know - Thanks for the replies.
The battery connections are very tight and clean. The battery was new last year from dealership.
The car is bone stock except for aftermarket stereo system I had installed over 1-1/2 year ago - Never had a problem with that though.
I will let the techs check out the solenoid connection - It has to go in on Monday for a few trim pieces anyways - So, they can throw it on a lift and hopefully find something "Easy" to fix. I would hate to hear that it is the alternator with only 20k miles on it...
Will let you know - Thanks for the replies.
Good luck...and make sure they lift it right!!
Tolero Apto Victum
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,669
Likes: 37
From: Woodlands TX
OP: Here are some threads for you to look at.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...ng-system.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...ng-system.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-z...post1579448383
Good luck & let us know what they find.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...ng-system.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...ng-system.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-z...post1579448383
Good luck & let us know what they find.
Last edited by Gering; Dec 12, 2011 at 12:16 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
YEP - You were right - Bad cell in battery...
Here is the thing:
The battery was replaced under original warranty 13-14 months ago.
Now, I am under my extended warranty where batteries are not covered.
There is only a 12k 12 month warranty on batteries if they were replaced under original warranty - However, if you just walked in and bought one off of the street - It comes with a 5 year warranty...... Go figure.....
All I know is - I am not paying for a battery after only 13-14 months and 5k miles... Santa better own the dealership - Cause I am taking my stocking to them tomorrow.... Ha, Ha...
Here is the thing:
The battery was replaced under original warranty 13-14 months ago.
Now, I am under my extended warranty where batteries are not covered.
There is only a 12k 12 month warranty on batteries if they were replaced under original warranty - However, if you just walked in and bought one off of the street - It comes with a 5 year warranty...... Go figure.....
All I know is - I am not paying for a battery after only 13-14 months and 5k miles... Santa better own the dealership - Cause I am taking my stocking to them tomorrow.... Ha, Ha...
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
UPDATE:
Battery has dead cell - Dealership said loose stereo wire on battery terminal PROBABLY caused the drain and dead cell. However, stereo shop said if it was loose then my stereo would have cut in-and-out. Never had problem with the aftermarket stereo.
Here is the KICKER: They said they HAVE to REPLACE the STARTER as well.
So, my stereo works fine but supposedly caused the bad battery - However, starter needs replaced.... Hmmm.
It would seem to me (Just an average idiot) that things point MORE towards the starter causing the drain and bad battery - So, Why am I having to pay for the battery? My GMPP plan that I bought should cover the battery since the starter is being replaced. Why can they just say: "It's not the bad starter that caused it - It is something else unrelated..." Just because an idiot tech has an opinion about what caused it?
Any advise?
If not, oh well, just pay for the battery and move on I guess. Life is too short to argue over a battery...
Battery has dead cell - Dealership said loose stereo wire on battery terminal PROBABLY caused the drain and dead cell. However, stereo shop said if it was loose then my stereo would have cut in-and-out. Never had problem with the aftermarket stereo.
Here is the KICKER: They said they HAVE to REPLACE the STARTER as well.
So, my stereo works fine but supposedly caused the bad battery - However, starter needs replaced.... Hmmm.
It would seem to me (Just an average idiot) that things point MORE towards the starter causing the drain and bad battery - So, Why am I having to pay for the battery? My GMPP plan that I bought should cover the battery since the starter is being replaced. Why can they just say: "It's not the bad starter that caused it - It is something else unrelated..." Just because an idiot tech has an opinion about what caused it?
Any advise?
If not, oh well, just pay for the battery and move on I guess. Life is too short to argue over a battery...
Last edited by madcadr; Dec 15, 2011 at 07:20 AM.
Tolero Apto Victum
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,669
Likes: 37
From: Woodlands TX
Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 1
From: Clear Lake Tx
St. Jude Donor '11
Well did the plugs ( which if I remember doing them on my c5 was much easier on the c6)..... Previous owner had ngk tr6 in there......took them out and put in factory....drove around with no service charging system warning yet
