How to Fix Battery Saver Active? (Expert Tips & Solutions)

The battery is an essential part of a vehicle because it empowers many components, including headlights, AC systems, radios, and so on. Therefore, the battery power quickly drains in a short time. Thus, your display might show a warning message often as ‘battery saver active.’

Today, we hope to discuss how to fix ‘battery saver active’ in our blog post. Additionally, we will be talking about the major reasons that cause the battery to drain within a short period of time. Keep reading to get enough knowledge regarding this common issue.

What does ‘battery saver active’ Mean?

Simply, the ‘battery saver active’ message means that the battery is getting low; It does not hold a charge adequately. As a result, the system can shut down certain electrical components of the car, such as the radio, fuse boxes, and taillights, in order to save the battery life.

When this message appears, it indicates that the battery, as well as the alternator, are unable to supply enough power to operate the car’s systems.

The battery-saver active system is a beneficial part of the car because it helps to maximize the vehicle’s battery current.

The powertrain control module connects with the battery sensor so it can calculate the current battery power.

The warning message is projected by that module. Accordingly, this system helps to prevent sudden shutdowns.

What Causes ‘battery saver active?’

These are the major reasons that contribute to draining the power of the battery and show a warning message.

1. Weak Battery – Your car might have a weak battery, so it drains quickly. If the battery hits 12.4 volts or less than that, it will be reported by the battery sensor. Then, some non-essential electrical systems will be shut down. If you think that the battery gets low often, you can check its quality using a multimeter.
2. Lousy Alternator – If there is an issue with your alternator, the battery will not charge. In case there is a fault in the alternator, a warning message will pop up when you drive.
3. Loose Battery Cables – there is not a continuous electric flow if you have loose cables. Additionally, the cables might have become the victim of corrosion.
4. Lousy Battery Sensor – the sensor has the ability to measure the electric flow. So when the flow is below 12.4, this message will appear too. The battery sensor is also responsible for measuring the net voltage. When the car is experiencing a negative current, a message appears to alert the driver. In fact, vehicle components can drain more current when compared to the voltages that transmit from your alternator.

How to Fix Battery Saver Active? 

These essential tips will help you to avoid battery-saver active messages.          

1. If you have a malfunctioning battery sensor, you should fit it properly because there can be a loose connection. If it still malfunctions, go for a replacement. It is essential to install the sensor correctly; otherwise, the warning light will flash continuously. Remember not to connect it to the negative battery terminal.
2. Make sure to tighten any loose connection in your battery. There are bolts on the terminals, so you can clean them first, removing corrosion. After that, tighten them carefully using the necessary equipment.
3. The best practice is to go for a replacement if the battery is dead because you will not be able to start the vehicle with a dead battery.
4. If there are corroded battery cables, you are advised to clean them thoroughly with an anti-rust spray. It is vital to clean them regularly.
5. When you test the alternator using a multimeter, the reading should be around 12.6 V. If not, the alternator might have worn out. So, it is recommended to replace the component as soon as you can.

How to Test a Car Battery?

Testing a car battery helps you to determine if your car battery is dead. Here is the order of steps you should follow to test the battery.

1. First of all, the electrical components in the vehicle should be turned off. Also, the ignition should be switched off.
2. You will need a digital multimeter to test the battery. Take it and switch to 20V DC.
3. The black probe should be placed on the negative battery terminal while the red probe goes to the positive terminal.
4. Now, you can check the reading on the multimeter. If the voltage is less than 12.4 V, the battery is in good condition. If not, your battery should be replaced.

How to Test Car Alternator?

This section discusses what steps you should take in order to test the alternator of your vehicle.

1. Firstly, all the electrical components of the car should be switched off.
2. Take the digital multimeter. Its reading should be set between 15 to 20V DC.
3. Grab a microfiber towel and wipe all the battery terminals well. Make sure to remove all dirt and grime.
4. The black probe of your multimeter should be connected to the negative battery terminal, while the red probe should be linked to the positive side. If the reading is around 12.6 V, the alternator is in good condition.

If the reading shows a number below 12.6V, the alternator does not charge enough. On the other hand, a number above 14.7V indicates that the component is charged overly. In such cases, you have to replace the alternator.

Moreover, when you turn on some electrical components like headlights and air conditioners, the voltage should remain at 13 volts. When the engine is turned off, there should be a number above 12.6 V.

How Long Can you Drive your Car in Battery-saver Mode?

You can drive your vehicle for up to 2 hours when the battery-saver mode is on. Sometimes, this estimated time can be limited to 20 minutes, depending on the particular issue your vehicle has.

Accordingly, you can drive from 10 to 12 km without a problem when your vehicle is in battery-saver mode.

However, it is always advisable to check your vehicle and identify the issue. Take action immediately to fix the case. In case there is a dead battery, the engine will stop completely.

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Video Credits – HVAC Mechanic