Battery Saver Active messages serve as a warning that indicates the car computer has disabled some non-essential electrical appliances to extend battery life and extend runtime.
Your vehicle’s onboard computer contains an intelligent system designed to optimize current from its alternator and battery, prolonging battery life while providing enough power for you to reach your destination. It rations power so you don’t waste precious energy while travelling.
Causes
If you own a Chevrolet Cruze, Impala or Malibu, chances are you have noticed the “battery saver active” message appearing on your dashboard. Usually accompanied by a warning light that signals a problem with charging system, this notification signals to drivers to visit a mechanic right away for service.
GM designed its battery saver mode to maximize driving time while your alternator and battery charge. A sensor measures how much power is being drawn from both, with it shutting off non-essential features like radio, lights and climate control when it senses your battery has dropped too low to function correctly.
This system can assist in getting you safely to a mechanic or car electrician without towing, as well as prevent you from becoming stranded on the side of the road if your battery unexpectedly dies while driving.
Error code 22 can occur due to either a failing alternator or battery which cannot supply enough power, as well as issues with current sensor.
Your best option for troubleshooting vehicle issues is bringing it in for professional diagnosis from an auto mechanic, who can identify what’s causing an error and devise a plan to repair it before purchasing a replacement battery.
Loose battery cables may also cause errors to surface, so it is imperative that these be addressed as quickly as possible. Also check your battery terminals for looseness or corrosion and apply an anti-corrosion spray as appropriate before tightening any connections if necessary.
An issue with your battery current sensor could also result in this error and requires immediate replacement. It serves an essential function in your battery system by monitoring how much current is drawn from it; providing data to ECM via its serial interface port. When one stops functioning correctly, it triggers this error message and the Battery Saver Active light illuminates on dashboard.
Symptoms
What Does “Battery Saver Active” Signify? Have you noticed the notification “Battery Saver Active” or “battery saving mode” appear on your dashboard? This alert informs you that your vehicle has joined a battery-saving system designed to preserve energy by shutting off electronics that would drain its charge away prematurely.
This message typically appears when the battery sensor reads below 12.4 volts. This could be caused by either a defective sensor, poor installation of said sensor, or simply by having a battery that won’t hold a charge for some reason.
Battery saver active alerts may also be caused by corroded terminals and loose connections between the alternator and battery. Clean the terminals using a wire brush for best contact; replace any loose cables as soon as possible.
Battery packs that have reached their maximum lifespan or that have been discharging frequently can also trigger this warning message, in which case you should either place it into a charger and test to see if it holds charge, or bring it in for testing at an auto parts store.
In most cases, issues are simple to remedy and resolve. Use a multimeter to monitor both the charging system and current sensor to see if they’re operating normally; if your battery produces voltage levels exceeding 13VDC or your alternator fails to charge, this may indicate a problem in either area of the charging system.
However, if the battery is still charging but its current sensor has malfunctioned or has been improperly installed, then this could activate battery saver mode. Most likely this would indicate a broken or misinstalled sensor as this would likely prevent full charging capacity being maintained by the battery.
Battery saver mode works to conserve money and time by disabling air conditioning system components that drain the battery, as well as any electrical accessories that zap energy from your vehicle’s batteries. However, this should also serve as a warning sign; avoid driving your vehicle until issues have been rectified – otherwise, your battery could be defective and need replacement immediately.
Diagnosis
As soon as your battery becomes depleted, your car will activate its “battery saver active” feature and reduce energy use to save power. This should serve as an early warning that repairs need to be completed immediately.
As the first step, check your battery voltage with either a multimeter or battery tester. If its value drops below 11.8V, your charging system could possibly be at fault and require replacement.
Automobiles typically feature an alternator system to recharge the battery as you run your engine, as well as power various electrical components inside such as radio, headlights and interior lighting.
Un-working alternators can stop functioning, prompting the dashboard display of “Battery Saver Active.” This issue often stems from either loose connections between the alternator and battery or defective alternators themselves.
Breakage or corrosion of battery cables could also contribute to this issue. They connect the alternator and battery together as well as carry power from engine to accessories and may need replacing if they become broken, loose, corroded, or compromised in any way.
Faulty or damaged battery sensors may also set off the “Battery Saver Active” warning message on a car’s computer system. These sensors measure how much electricity flows from battery to electrical system and report this back.
Once the sensor detects that battery current is low, it sends a signal to the onboard computer (ECM) to activate battery-saving mode and close off non-essential systems like air conditioning or stereo systems and divert remaining electric charge towards essential components.
Battery saver mode can be an invaluable feature when your battery becomes discharged or emergency situations arise, yet knowing how to identify any problems in this regard is key in finding effective repairs for it.
Repairs
As soon as you turn on your vehicle, if the dashboard displays “Battery Saver Active,” that indicates your battery charge has dropped below an acceptable threshold, prompting an important message: the Entertainment System Saver or AC Alert system may activate. These signals signal to an alarm sensor connected to the negative terminal of your battery that shuts down non-essential items like the entertainment system and air conditioning as soon as necessary to direct limited power toward essential components instead.
Battery Saver Active messages typically result from either a defective alternator or battery, both of which can be resolved with simple repairs to get your car running again.
Before inspecting any other parts of your battery or alternator, first ensure the connections between them are tight and secure. Loose connections may prevent the smooth flow of current, leading to inaccurate sensor readings and the interruption of power supplies to various parts of your vehicle.
If your connectors have become rusted, clean them using a wire brush and anti-corrosion spray to avoid future issues. Tighten them securely so they do not slip loose when your vehicle moves around.
If the cables connecting your battery and alternator are loose or cracked, tightening them up can solve this issue too. Do this by loosening any screws or bolts holding them in place before replacing them with new ones.
One way to diagnose battery saver issues is to measure its voltage with a multimeter. If it drops below 13 volts, your alternator may need replacing.
One final thing to check is the serpentine belt connecting your alternator and battery. If this belt becomes broken or loose, it could prevent your alternator from charging your battery properly and activate Battery Saver Active message.
Repairs that can help remedy the Battery Saver Active message include replacing or fixing the battery, alternator, tightening loose battery cables or repairing the sensor. Addressing these problems will ensure your vehicle continues running efficiently for years.