Chevy Volt is one of the most amazing plugin hybrid cars available on the market. But it isn’t without problems.
One of the most common problems faced by Chevy Volt owners is related to its 12-Volt battery. A message reading “Battery Saver Active” is displayed on the dashboard, and users don’t know what to do about it.
This article will explain the meaning of the Chevy Volt battery saver active message. In addition to that, we will discuss the major causes behind this message and what to do about it. So, without further ado, let’s get right into it!
What Does Chevy Volt Battery Saver Active Message Mean?
Chevy Volt battery saver active message means that the 12-Volt battery is not receiving enough voltage for charging. It can be due to plenty of reasons, but the message has nothing to do with the hybrid battery of the Chevy Volt.
Even in Chevy Volt without a hybrid battery, this issue is very common. Owners of previous generations of Chevy Volt have reported that they receive a message saying the battery saver is active on the dashboard.
It simply means that the battery of your Volt isn’t charging.
When the battery of the Chevy Volt is not getting enough charge, the battery management system puts it into hibernation mode. It is done due to two main reasons.
One is to keep the remaining charge of the battery intact and keep it from getting drained soon.
The second reason is to protect the battery and the entire electrical system of your Chevy Volt. By minimizing electrical functions, BMS ensures that there are no fire hazards, short circuits, or current surges in the electrical system of your car.
How to Diagnose Chevy Volt Battery Saver Active Message?
It is very easy to diagnose the Chevy Volt battery saver active message. The process is quite similar to diagnosing a dead or weak battery, and it is very straightforward. Let’s look at it:
- Take an AVO meter and select the voltage measurement mode.
- Turn on the car and let the engine idle for a few minutes.
- Connect the red wire of the AVO meter with the positive terminal of the 12-Volt battery.
- Connect the black wire of the AVO meter with the negative terminal of the 12-Volt battery.
- If the AVO meter reads above 12.5 volts, then the message is just random, or it is displayed due to temporary reasons. Reset the battery saver active message, and you are good to go.
- If the AVO meter reads voltage below 10.5 volts, then the battery isn’t getting enough charge. Proceed to the solutions’ sections of this article to know how to deal with it.
Important: EV battery replacement can cost $1000s. To avoid high-voltage battery replacement, there are some things you can do. Read this article to find out the 10 best ways to maximize EV battery life and save tons of money!
What are the Major Causes of Chevy Volt Battery Saver Active Message?
The major causes behind the Chevy Volt battery saver active message are a parasitic load, a faulty battery current sensor, a defective alternator, a worn-out alternator belt, corroded battery terminals, or a weak/dead 12-Volt battery.
Let’s discuss each of these causes in more detail.
Cause 1: A Parasitic Load
The first and foremost cause of the battery saver active message in Chevy Volt is a parasitic load. While leaving the car, you forget to turn off the turn signals, headlights, or stereo, and when you come back, the battery saver active message greets you.
There is nothing to worry about if this is the case, as it is a temporary reason and won’t bother you in the future.
Cause 2: A Faulty Battery Current Sensor
The battery current sensor monitors the amount of current flowing in and out of the battery. Plus, it keeps an eye on the battery’s health.
If the battery is behaving abnormally or it isn’t receiving enough charge, then the battery current sensor sends a warning to the ECU of your Chevy Volt. This is when the battery saver active message is displayed.
Also read: Chevy Volt Battery: Warranty, Replacement Cost, Lifespan, etc.
Cause 3: A Faulty Alternator
An alternator is responsible for charging the 12-volt battery in your Chevy Volt. It is a piece of electrical hardware that tends to fail from time to time. Its life is between 80,000-100,00 miles.
But it can fail before that. If the alternator goes bad, your battery won’t be charged, and the battery saver active message comes up.
Cause 4: Worn-out Alternator Belt
The alternator is connected to the engine via a belt. If this belt is slipping or it is worn out, then the alternator won’t be able to do its job. In this case, the battery saver active message pops on your dashboard since the battery isn’t charging.
Cause 5: Corroded Battery Terminals
Corroded terminals of the battery can cause so many problems in a vehicle. One of those problems is the battery saver active message.
If the battery terminals of your Chevy Volt are covered with rust, then it will prevent any charge from entering or leaving the battery. Hence it won’t charge.
Cause 6: A Weak Battery
The last reason for the battery saver active message in Chevy Volt is a weak or altogether dead battery. If the battery has reached its lifespan, which is somewhere between 30,000 and 50,000 miles, then it won’t be able to hold the charge for long.
The battery gets discharged very soon, and as a consequence, the battery saver active message is displayed on the dashboard.
How Do You Fix Chevy Volt Battery Saver Active Message?
You can fix the battery saver active message in Chevy Volt by avoiding parasitic load, resetting the message, and replacing the faulty alternator, worn-out belt, or battery current sensor. You can also try cleaning the battery terminals or replacing the old battery.
Solution 1: Check For Parasitic Loads
If the battery saver active message comes up on the dashboard, then look for any parasitic loads. See if you left the stereo or headlights on. If that is the case, turn off the features that draw electric power and try restarting the car, the message will go away.
Solution 2: Reset the Message
At times the battery saver active message is displayed due to random unknown reasons. It happens when battery power gets low temporarily. If this is the case, then simply reset the message by pressing the button on your dashboard.
Solution 3: Replace the Battery Current Sensor
Before troubleshooting for other faulty components, test the battery current sensor of your Chevy Volt. As the battery current sensor is the cheapest replacement of all, and very often, it is the culprit behind the battery saver active message.
You can solve this issue by replacing the battery current sensors, which cost somewhere between $40-50.
Solution 4: Cleaning Terminals of the Battery
Another inexpensive solution to resolve the battery saver active message in Chevy Volt is to clean the battery terminal. Rusty terminals often prevent the battery from receiving enough charge and trigger the battery saver active message.
Solution 5: Replace the Old Battery
If you determine that the cause behind the battery saver active message is a weak old battery, then you might have to replace it. At times, the problem can be solved by charging the battery externally.
However, if it doesn’t do the trick, you have to replace the battery. It may cost you between $500 and $1,000.
Solution 6: Replace the Faulty Alternator or Belt
At last, you can try to replace the faulty alternator belt. It can be diagnosed very easily through visual inspection. Alternator belts are quite cheap, priced between $30 and $40. It is the labor cost that adds another $150-200. While you’re at it, test the alternator for any defects.
If the alternator has gone bad, you will experience symptoms like slow rolling windows and windshield wipers, and dim headlights. Alternators can be very expensive to replace. In Chevy Volt, they can cost between $850 and $1,200. So, be very sure before replacing it.
Is it Safe to Drive Chevy Volt With Battery Saver Active Message?
It depends. If the battery saver active message is displayed due to temporary reasons such as a parasitic load, then there is nothing to worry about. However, if the message is being displayed permanently, then you should not drive your Chevy Volt.
If you continue to drive your Chevy Volt with battery saver active message, soon you will be left stranded on the roadside. It is possible that you stop your car and turn off the engine, after some time when you come back the car won’t start.
Especially if the battery saver active message is displayed due to a bad battery, faulty alternator, or malfunctioning battery current sensor, you should take it seriously. All these hardware-related issues can affect the entire charging system of your Chevy Volt if left unattended.
To any unforeseen scenario, it is best to tend to the battery saver active message of Chevy Volt at the earliest. This way, you can avoid any trouble.
References
gm-volt.com, mechanicask.com, mechanicbase.com, carsupercare.com, chevybolt.org, vehiclehistory.com, backyardmechanic.org, justanswer.com, caranddriver.com, reddit.com