Imagine yourself going on a trip or in a hurry to arrive somewhere. Suddenly you see a message on your dashboard, “Battery Save Active,” it can be frustrating. It may be your first time seeing this alert on your car, and you don’t know what to do with it. Don’t worry; I’ll help you understand the issue and how to fix it.
In short, Battery Save Active means your car’s battery is down to critical charge levels and needs to be fixed immediately. A sensor is on the negative terminal of the battery to monitor this.
When the sensor notices that the charge isn’t sufficient on your battery, it will show the alert. The sensor diverts the limited power to critical things to keep your car running. Moreover, it will shut down all the necessary things on your car, such as the aircon, multimedia system, etc.
You may fix this issue by trying one of the following methods:
- Check the Battery Connections
- Check the Alternator
- Replace Dead Battery
- Replace Malfunctioning Sensor
- Check for Parasitic Draw
- Seek Professional Help
I will explain these steps in detail below.
What Are The Tools You Need
Here are the tools that you need to fix this issue:
- Multimeter
- Voltmeter
- Battery Tester
- Wrench and Pliers
- Battery Terminal Cleaner
- Replacement Parts
Method 1: Check the Battery Connections
Before trying anything else, check the battery connection to ensure they are secure. If you think they are loose, you should tighten some bolts to restore the charging system.
Sometimes, the terminals or connections of a battery are corroded. If the same happens with your car, you can use baking soda and water to remove the corrosion. Once you have removed the corrosion and re-establish the connection, you can restart your car and check if the message has disappeared.
Method 2: Check the Alternator
If your car’s alternator isn’t working properly, it won’t charge the battery properly. Once you have checked the battery connections, if the issue isn’t fixed, you should check if the alternator is failing. If you think the alternator cannot provide the necessary charge to the battery, you can take the alternator to a professional to test it. However, if you want to try it on your own, here are some steps you can follow:
Step 1: Turn off your car.
Step 2: Set the mutlimeter to 15 to 20V DC.
Step 3: Connect the black lead with the battery’s negative terminal.
Step 4: The battery is fine if the voltage is above 12.1V.
Step 5: Keep the connections attached and start your car.
Step 6: The voltage will rise dramatically once you start the engine. It should show a reading between 13.5 to 14.5V.
Step 7: If you find the voltage is lower than this, the alternator isn’t providing the proper charge to the battery.
Step 8: If the value exceeds the specified range, the alternator might overcharge the battery.
Moreover, you can also check the system by turning on multimedia, AC, and lights. Even if you have turned everything on, the voltage shouldn’t exceed 13V.
Method 3: Replace the Dead Battery
You will need to replace the battery if it is dead. Every battery has a specific life span; most batteries will last at least 4 to 6 years. However, if you have been using the same battery for a long time, this might be the time to get a new one.
You can check the battery on your own by following the steps below:
Step 1: Turn off your car.
Step 2: Set the multimeter range to 20V DC.
Step 3: You should connect the black lead with the battery’s negative terminal.
Step 4: Connect the red lead with the battery’s positive terminal.
Step 5: A healthy battery shouldn’t drop below 12.1V.
You must charge the battery if the voltage drops below the specified range. However, if you connect a charger and the battery doesn’t improve, you will need to replace the battery with a new one.
Method 4: Replace Malfunctioning Sensor
A malfunctioning sensor can sometimes be the reason behind the “Battery Saver Active” alert.
You can use a code scanner to check if any DTCs have been set to check the issue with the sensor. If you have replaced the battery and alternator and the alert still shows up, you may need to replace the sensor.
Check the sensor connections. You can find the sensor on the negative terminal of the battery. You can also try to slightly sandpaper the battery’s terminal before you bolt it to the car’s frame.
Don’t worry, the sensors aren’t much expensive to replace, and you can easily fix them at home. However, you must ensure that the connection isn’t loose.
Method 5: Check Parasitic Draw
Checking the parasitic draw is one of the major steps to fix the Battery Saver Active alert. When a component in your car’s electrical system is malfunctioning, it will drain the battery even if it is turned off.
Here are some steps to follow:
Step 1: Disconnect the negative battery cable and connect a multimeter in series between the battery terminal and cable to check for parasitic draw.
Step 2: The multimeter will help you to check the current draw; you can refer to the car’s manual to check if the current draw is within the specified range.
Step 3: If the current draw exceeds the specified range, locate and fix the component causing the parasitic draw.
Step 4: Once the parasitic draw is fixed, turn on your car and check if the alert has gone.
Method 6: Seek Professional Help
Once you have tried all the DIY steps mentioned in this article but still see the “Battery Saver Active” alert on the dashboard, you should consult a professional.
All the steps mentioned above can easily fix the issue, but sometimes the reason may be more nuanced. It is high time to visit a nearby mechanic and seek professional help to fix the issue. A professional will surely help you understand and identify the problem and fix it quickly.
If you have faced the “Battery Saver Active” issue and know a fix I might have missed in this article, please drop me a message to share your thoughts.
References
Battery Saver Active. https://drivermoola.com/battery-saver-active/
Battery Saver Active Message (Chevy & GM Troubleshooting). https://completecar.ca/maintenance/battery-saver-active/
Video References
HVAC Mechanic
Diesel Legiance
Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostic