If you own a GM or Chevy vehicle, you may notice the Battery Saver Active notifications pop up on your dashboard or infotainment screen and be concerned about it. The warning is meant to be alarming because it is a sign of some problem.
In this guide I will go over the possible causes of the warning light, and explain what it means. I will also help you find a solution, so there can be a remedy. At the end of this article I will discuss if you should drive after the battery saver active message.
What Does The Battery Saver Active Message Mean?
The Battery Saver Active warning indicates that the battery will not hold a charge or running too low.
To save energy, the computer will shut down some electrical components without notice from the driver and will run the battery down completely.
The battery saver system will maximize the load from the alternator and battery through the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) and the battery sensor, which helps measure how much charge is left.
Rationing power helps maintain battery life for a longer time so that you can pull over safely or possibly get home! You’re still not in a shut-down condition.
What Causes The Battery Saver Active Message?
The Battery Saver Active warning is most commonly caused by a bad alternator that is unable to charge the battery. Frequently it is also caused by a bad battery to begin with that will not hold the power given to it by the alternator.
Here is an expanded list of all the Causes of a Battery Saver Active warning:
#1. Failing Alternator.
An alternator is responsible for keeping the battery properly charged, and is going to be the most common cause of a Battery Saver Active warning.
While the engine is running, the alternator is going to keep the battery charged and also supply power to the electrical components. Most of the accessories, such as the radio and headlights, are running off of the charge provided by the alternator while the engine is running.
If the alternator is failing, it is no longer able to sufficiently charge the battery while you are driving. Therefore, the battery is going to run down with no chance of recuperating back to the optimal power.
#2. Dead Battery.
This warning light also comes on for a dead car battery, especially if you got it when the engine was turned off.
As the battery becomes weak enough to not hold a charge, if it is holding less than 12.4 volts, a sensor will relay the issue back to the computer that turns on the light.
In an effort to conserve power, the system will de-energize electric equipment that is unnecessary. You may not have much time to maneuver the car to the side of the road before the battery dies altogether.
#3. Bad Connection.
For the battery to perform adequately and the alternator to deliver sufficient power, all ALL connections must be solid. The charging system uses connections and wires and they all need to be tight.
If the battery cables are loose or fall off, electrical flow is going to be broken. Corrosion can cause the same thing. Luckily, these problems can be simple repairs.
#4. Malfunctioning Battery Current Sensor.
Some car models use a sensor for the voltage, as well as the flow to the battery. When the sensor receives a signal less than 12.4 volts, the sensor tells the computer to turn on the light and start rationing power.
Also, the battery sensor can fail. If the computer sees a bad message from the battery sensor, it will turn on the warning light, even if there is nothing wrong with the battery.
How To Fix The Battery Saver Active Message?
To troubleshoot the active battery saver message, inspect the battery connections to ensure they are tight, then measure with the multimeter on the battery when the engine is running to determine whether the alternator is operational.
Below is a summary of actions for addressing the battery saver active message:
#1. Battery Connections.
Before going further, you’ll want to check the battery connections to ensure the connections are tight and check for corrosion. You may just need to tighten some of the bolts back up to get the charging system working correctly.
You can create a simple mixture of baking soda and water to clean the corrosion if you do have corrosion, before putting everything back together again, you want clean connections.
#2. Replace Failing Alternator.
If the alternator is bad, it may not be charging the battery. You will notice the same symptoms as if the battery is dead, but the problem is due to the alternator. You can take the alternator to a local auto parts store or check it yourself. Here is how you can do it:
- Turn off all the electrical accessories in your car.
- Turn off the key in the ignition.
- Set the multimeter to 15-20V DC.
- Connect the black lead to the negative battery terminal.
- Connect the red lead to the positive battery terminal.
- A good battery voltage will not drop lower than 12.1V.
- With these connections still attached, start the engine.
- The battery voltage should dramatically rise to between 13.5 and 14.5V.
- If it is lower, the alternator may be undercharging the battery.
- If it is higher, then it is overcharging. In this case, it is also defective.
You could also check the system under load. In this case, turn on the radio, the air conditioning, and the headlights and taillights. Even with all these items on, the voltage should drop no lower than 13V.
You will be spending between $75 and $450 for a new alternator. If you can’t install it yourself, you will have to pay for labor too.
#3. Replace Dead Battery.
You will need to replace the battery if it is dead. Many car batteries only last about four to six years. If you haven’t had a new battery in a while, now might be the time!
There are a few options to test the battery yourself, or you can take it to a local auto parts store to check out the battery. Here’s how you can check your car battery yourself.
- Turn off every electrical accessory in your car.
- Turn the ignition off.
- Put your multimeter to 20V DC.
- Connect the black lead to the negative terminal of the battery.
- Connect the red lead to the positive terminal of the battery.
- If the battery is good, the voltage will not drop below 12.1V.
If the voltage is below 12.1V, it needs to be charged. If you put a charger on the battery and it does not improve, then you will need to swap out the battery.
If you need to replace a car battery, you can spend from about $40 to $300 on a car battery depending on the car you drive. Most auto parts stores will put the battery in for free if you buy it from that store.
#4. Replace Malfunctioning Sensor.
If the connections are good and the battery and alternator are sound, the sensor itself may be the issue. Using a code scanner, check to see any DTCs set indicating a sensor issue.
If the light comes on, you will proceed to the next step of replacing the sensor, even if you know you have already replaced the battery and alternator.
This sensor is located on the negative battery terminal. Also, you should check the connection to the sensor as well. You can use sandpaper to scrape off the battery terminal before you bolt it to the frame of the vehicle.
The good news is the sensors aren’t too costly to replace and the action can be easily performed at home. The most important thing is that the connection is not loose.
Can I Drive with the Battery Saver Active Message On?
No. Do not risk ignoring the Battery Saver Active Message and continuing to drive. You should take action as soon as this warning is displayed. You would want to take corrective measures to avoid being stuck in a dangerous situation once the battery dies.
The car is warning you that the engine may stall and not restart. If you are near your home or local auto repair shop you may opt to make it to one of those locations if possible.
On your short trip back you will also be without some electrical accessories and equipment. Now regardless of whether the system shutoff those features or not, you certainly are able to save battery by manually turning off the air conditioning, the radio, or any other accessory that you don’t need for the trip.
Why Does A Car Go Into Battery Saver Mode?
A car goes into battery saver mode primarily when the alternator is not charging the car battery very well. Also, there could be a bad connection or a bad car battery that would not hold a charge.
Does Battery Saver Active Mean I Need A New Battery?
The battery saver active message could mean that you could need a new car battery, but not always. If you see that your car is giving you this message while the car engine is running, you probably have a problem with the charging system like the alternator.
What Does Battery Saver Active Mean on a Chevy?
The battery saver active message on your Chevy or GM is letting you know that there is a low voltage issue going on. The alternator isn’t charging your car battery properly or the battery itself is not holding a charge. Again, it could be an issue with a connection as well.
The Battery Saver Active message will want you to know that the battery is not holding a charge, so to save power, it shuts down electrical components.
Many error codes can be avoided if you make sure your car battery is in good shape, and one way to do that is by using a car battery maintainer.
The other way is to replace the battery every 4 to 6 years, regardless of whether the battery is bad or not. That way you do not run into battery troubles when you do not want to.