Most ICE cars come with 12-volt batteries that power all the electrical components like the radio, headlights, taillights, interior lights, air conditioning systems, horns, fuse boxes, etc. This is enough load to drain the battery within the shortest time without recharging it.
Auto manufacturers install alternators to charge and prevent the battery from running out of charge. The alternator is connected to the engine via a serpentine belt.
Manufacturers designed the alternator to regulate voltage (14.2 to 14.7), higher than the battery voltage (12.4 to 12.8). This will enable the alternator to recharge the battery while restoring electric flow to all electrical appliances in the car.
Suppose, for any reason, the battery is not holding charge or can’t supply the needed electric flow to power all electrical appliances. In that case, the car computer will display a battery-saver active warning on the driver information center.
This article will explain what battery saver active on a car means, its causes, and probable solutions to rectify the problem.
What is “Battery Saver”?
“Battery Saver” is a mode where the computer shuts off peripheral electrical systems to prioritize the power you need to keep driving down the road. This occurs when either the battery or the alternator have an issue and the supplied voltage is low.
The Battery Saver Active error message indicates a problem with your car’s battery charging system.
It may be as simple as corrosion on the battery terminals, a bad sensor, or a dead battery. Or, a broken alternator belt or bad alternator could be causing the error message.
When you’re driving down the road, your alternator is the main source of power for your vehicle.
If your alternator cannot keep up with the electrical demand of the vehicle, you may encounter a Battery Saver Active warning on your GM vehicle. GM makes include Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC.
This warning light is similar to the battery warning light seen on most vehicles. The battery warning light is more generic and not specific to General Motors.
What Does A Battery Saver Active Mean?
A Battery saver active means the battery is weak, is not holding a charge, or is running down. And the car computer is shutting down some electrical appliances that may drain the battery life and leave you stranded.
Battery saver active warning on the driver information center means your battery and alternator cannot provide the needed power flow to maintain certain systems.
A battery-saver active system is an essential mechanism that maximizes the battery current when the battery and the alternator are not providing adequate electric flow.
Your powertrain control module works in harmony with the battery sensor to sense and calculate your vehicle charging system.
It maximizes your battery running and prevents a sudden shutdown. But first, let’s look at common causes of a battery saver active on Chevy Cruze and other vehicle models.
Causes of Battery Saver Active Light
The Battery Saver system is caused by an electrical problem. The root cause is often the battery, alternator, or some connection in between.
#1. Corroded Battery Terminals.
A common cause of charging issues is corroded battery terminals. Check the battery cables where they attach to the battery. If you notice a brown, white, or green powder, you have corrosion or battery acid on the battery terminals.
Cleaning off this corrosion will give you a better connection to the battery and allow the charging system to work more efficiently. In extreme cases, the corrosion may prevent you from starting the vehicle.
#2. Loose Battery Cables.
Similar to corroded battery terminals, if your battery cables are loose you will have a poor connection to the battery. This will impact the alternator’s ability to charge, slowing the process. This can also make it difficult to start the vehicle.
#3. Bad Battery.
Lead acid batteries age with time and use. If you think your battery might be bad, you can test it with a multimeter.
In extreme cases, a bad battery will prevent you from cranking the vehicle to start it. Once your battery goes completely flat, it may never return to full strength.
Sometimes a good car battery can appear to be bad if you have a parasitic draw. A parasitic draw is a constant drain on the battery when the vehicle should be off.
#4. Bad Ground.
A bad ground can act a lot like a bad battery or alternator. The negative terminal on most vehicles is a ground, but you will also have ground straps throughout the engine bay for various engine components.
When a ground goes bad, you may be left with an open circuit or a condition where a system works intermittently. Check for loose or missing ground connections while troubleshooting the Battery Saver Active warning light.
#5. Bad Alternator.
Alternators (also called generators) keep your vehicle running while you drive, and they also charge your battery while the vehicle is running. The alternator has a pulley that attaches to the serpentine belt. As this pulley spins, it generates electricity.
Bad alternators are less common than bad batteries and battery connection issues, but alternators do occasionally encounter issues. If you want to test for a bad alternator, consider using a multimeter to perform a voltage drop test.
#6. Aftermarket Sound System.
Although this is a less common cause of electrical issues, it is still worth mentioning. If you’ve added a high powered aftermarket sound system to your vehicle without upgrading your alternator.
You may encounter a situation where your amplifier draws more power than the alternator can provide.
When upgrading your sound system, it’s a good idea to check your amp and your alternator’s specifications to make sure the two are compatible. Consider upgrading to a stronger alternator if you have a high powered amp or a large subwoofer.
How to Diagnose a Battery Saver Active Error?
To diagnose the error the charging system needs to be tested to see if it is working. The simplest way to check this is to use a voltmeter and read the voltage while the vehicle is running.
- If the voltage is above 13.5 volts, the system is charging and working.
- If the voltage is below 13 volts, the charging system is likely not working.
The reason for this test is a 12-volt car battery will not go above 12-volts unless it is being charged.
If the car is running and the voltage is around 12-volts or lower, the charging system is not working.
Keep in mind Chevy and GM vehicles can have different operating voltages, with most roughly at 13.5-14.5 volts DC when running.
How To Fix The Battery Saver Active Message?
To fix the active battery saver message, you need to make sure that the battery connections are good and there is no corrosion.
Then you need to measure with a multimeter on the battery when the engine is running to determine if the alternator is functioning properly.
Here are some more detailed steps on how to fix battery saver active message:
#1. Check Battery Connections.
Before you go any further, you want to check the battery connections to ensure they are secure. You may only need to tighten up some of the bolts to get the charging system back where it needs to be.
There’s also the chance that the battery terminals or connections are corroded. If this is the case, a simple solution of baking soda and water can be used to clean away the corrosion and re-establish the connection.
#2. Replace Failing Alternator.
If the alternator is failing, it won’t be able to charge the battery. You will notice the same symptoms of a dead battery, even though the issue comes from the alternator.
You can take the alternator to a local auto parts store for testing or do it yourself. Here are some steps to follow.
- Turn all of the electrical accessories off in your car.
- Turn off the ignition.
- Set your multimeter to 15-20V DC.
- Connect the black lead to the negative terminal on the battery.
- Connect the red lead to the positive terminal on the battery.
- Good battery voltage won’t drop below 12.1V.
- With the connections still attached, start the engine.
- The voltage of the battery should rise dramatically. It should now read between 13.5 and 14.5V.
- If it’s lower than this, the alternator might be undercharging the battery.
- If the value is higher, it could be overcharging, which is also a defect.
You can also test the system with a load. Turn on the radio, air conditioning, headlights and taillights. Even with all of these components on, the voltage shouldn’t drop lower than 13V.
You may spend between $75 and $450 to get a new alternator. If you can’t put it on yourself, you also need to pay for the labor charges.
#3. Replace Dead Battery.
If the battery is dead, you will need to replace it. Most car batteries last around four to six years, so if it’s been a while since you got a new one, now might be the right time.
You can test the battery yourself or take it to a local auto parts store. Here are the steps to check your car battery.
- Turn all of the electrical accessories off in your car.
- Turn off the ignition.
- Set your multimeter to 20V DC.
- Connect the black lead to the negative terminal on the battery.
- Connect the red lead to the positive terminal on the battery.
- Good battery voltage won’t drop below 12.1V.
Anything below that indicates that the battery needs to be charged. If you hook a charger up to the battery, but it doesn’t improve, it’s time to swap out the battery.
You can spend anywhere from $40 to $300 to get a new car battery, depending on what kind of car you drive. Many auto parts stores will install the battery for free if you purchase it at that location.
#4. Replace Malfunctioning Sensor.
If the connections look good with a solid battery and alternator, the sensor itself could be the problem. You can use a code scanner to see if any DTCs have been set, reflecting an issue with the sensor.
Additionally, if this light comes on even though you’ve replaced the battery and alternator, you may move on to replacing the sensor.
This sensor is located on the negative battery terminal. Check the connections to the sensor. You may also choose to sandpaper the battery terminal slightly before you bolt it to the frame of the vehicle.
how much does cost to fix battery saver active warning Message
The cost to fix a “battery saver active” warning can range from $75 to $200 or more, primarily depending on the battery replacement cost and whether you install it yourself or have it done professionally.
FAQs.
Q: Does battery-saver mode mean I need a new battery?
A Chevy battery saver active does not necessarily mean you need a new battery. However, when this warning message appears in your driver information center, the battery is distributing less than the required amount of electric voltage.
Several parameters, like a lousy alternator, dead battery, malfunctioning battery sensor, or loose battery connections, can be the culprit.
Q: How do I turn off the battery saver?
Battery saver active message on the driver information center means your car battery is discharging a low amount of electric flow to power the car system.
The only proper way to turn off the battery-saver mode is to rectify the problem. It could mean replacing the car battery, alternator, and battery sensor, cleaning battery terminal corrosion, or retightening loose connections.
Q: How long can you drive your car in battery-saving mode?
There’s no specific time frame on how long you can drive with battery-saver mode.
However, if you continue driving with a battery saver active on the driver information center, the engine may shut down within 20 minutes or 2 hours.
Therefore, it is ideal to fix the problem once you notice it.
Final Words
Battery saver active is a beneficial technology that prevents cars from shutting down due to a dying battery, bad alternator, or corroded terminals.
Your car battery is a vital component that helps you start the vehicle and keep it running. Without it, the vehicle cannot start. And it has to be in good working condition for optimal operation.
Therefore, if you detect any problem, check the probable causes and solutions above to fix it. If you don’t trust your gut or have the confidence to fix the problem, contact an experienced mechanic to rectify the fault.