In this article, I will discuss the common causes behind the “Battery Saver Active” warning message on a Chevy Cruze and explore the best solutions to fix it. Without further delay, let’s dive in.
What Does “Battery Saver Active” Mean on a Chevy?
In short, the “battery saver active” warning that comes on your Cruze dashboard simply means that your Power Control Module (PCM) has detected that there is an issue with the charging system.
When this happens, the PCM will begin to activate some of your Cruze’s systems in an effort to save you from having your battery die on you while driving.
The main components of your Chevrolet Cruze charging system include:
- Battery
- Alternator
- Battery Terminals
- Voltage Regulator
If any of these fail or become damaged, it can cause your battery to drain faster than normal.
If this happens, it’s likely that you’ll get the “battery saver active” warning on your dashboard and then, eventually, a dead battery.
The good news is that this doesn’t mean that your Cruze has gone kaput forever; it just means that something within the components mentioned above needs to be fixed.
What Causes “Battery Saver Active” on a Cruze?
Now that I have shortly explained what the fault message means, let’s look at the most common causes.
Technically there are many different reasons why your Cruze may have the battery saver active warning,
but after working on a handful of these cars, I can tell you that the most common culprits include:
Battery Issues
The number one cause of the battery saver active message is a bad battery. If your car’s battery has gone bad, it will not be able to hold a charge and won’t be able to power your Cruze for any extended period of time.
This usually happens because of either:
- An old battery that no longer holds its original capacity;
- A new battery that wasn’t installed correctly (by someone who didn’t know what they were doing).
The battery on your Cruze will typically last anywhere between 3-5 years depending on how you drive and the climate in which you live.
If your car is older than 3 years, it may be time to consider replacing it with a new one.
If the battery is drained too much, your Cruze will fail to start.
Faulty Alternator
The second most common cause of this issue is a bad alternator.
The Alternator is a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
It charges the battery while also powering various electrical components of your Cruze, such as lights and other small electronic devices.
If the alternator fails, it won’t be able to properly charge your battery, as a result, the battery will lose its charge, and the PCM will pick up on this and display “battery saver active”
Corroded/Loose Battery Terminals
Last but not least, a corroded or loose battery terminal can cause the “battery saver active” warning message to appear on your Chevrolet Cruze.
If the battery terminals are corroded or dirty, they won’t be able to connect properly with each other and deliver power from the alternator.
This can also happen if one of your battery cables has come loose from its connection point.
This will cause similar symptoms as a bad alternator, including displaying battery saver active.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Chevy Cruze “Battery Saver Active” Fault
Here are a few ways to troubleshoot and fix the “Battery Saver Active” issue on your Chevy Cruze:
1. Check the Battery Terminals for Corrosion
The first thing I recommend that you do is to inspect the battery terminals.
If you find corrosion on them, remove the cables from their connections and clean them off with a wire brush or steel wool.
This will allow power to flow better through your car’s electrical system and help solve this problem.
If the terminals don’t have any corrosion on them and are tightly connected, then move to number two.
2. Have the Battery Tested and Replaced
If you find that the battery terminals are clean and tight and you still have this problem, then it’s time to have your battery tested.
If it is determined that your car’s battery is bad or has lost some of its charge capacity, then it may be time to replace it.
You can have your battery tested at most automotive parts stores including Autozone.
Pro Tip: You can quickly find out if the issue is caused by a faulty battery by jump-starting your car with another car/or a battery, if the fault message goes away it’s a sign you need a new battery.
3. Replace the Alternator
If your battery has been tested and determined to be fine, then it’s time to look at the alternator.
The alternator is what charges the battery in your car, which means if it isn’t working properly, then you can expect this error message on your dashboard.
A bad alternator will also cause problems with other parts of your vehicle including lights and radio.
Fortunately, the alternator can be tested by a mechanic and replaced if necessary.
Additional Sources
https://www.stevinsonchevrolet.com/2019-chevy-cruze-battery.html
https://www.autozone.com/lp/battery-services
https://www.cruzetalk.com/threads/battery-or-alternator.240099/